Victoria G Interviews Nicolás P. Villarreal

Victoria G: What inspired you to become an animator?

Nicolás P. Villarreal: I don't know if I can say exactly what it was. Since I was a kid I have been attracted to drawing, movies and animation. When I was 15 years old my parents bought me a book called "The Treasures of Disney Animation" and I spent a whole summer copying it. I realized then by looking at the names below the drawings that this was a job. I went to see the movie Tarzan and I remember saying to myself after watching it "This is it, I have to do this".

VG: Who are some animators that inspire you?

NPV: Glen Keane is the animator that I grew up watching and admiring. (I still do). Tarzan, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, all his animation and drawings. I would study them and try to understand them. I have a note from him that he sent me when I was in school. I sent him a letter with my portfolio and he was very kind to reply to it with that personal note. I have it framed in my office. Milt Kahl is another animator that I discovered when I watched Robin Hood, one of my favorite movies.

VG: What is your favorite thing about animation?

NPV: That it has no boundaries. The challenge is how to be creative about these limitless possibilities.

VG: What was the first film you worked on?

NPV: My thesis project and then out of school I worked as a designer for Tinkerbell.

VG: What is your favorite project you have ever done?

NPV: Pasteurized is my first film (after my school thesis) and it has a special place for me since I did almost everything by myself. I enjoyed working in all my projects and also in studio projects, but Pasteurized is the project that made me think as a director. I learned a lot from it.

VG: What are some qualities you look for in a project?

NPV: The most important aspect for me is the story and how the director is telling it in every shot. If everything that you see helps to move the story forward. The visuals and the designs and how it comes together at the end. My favorite movies are the ones that leave me thinking after the fact and the ones that surprise you at the end.

VG: On/Off, a short film you directed, wrote, and produced, is an official selection for the 2021 San Diego International Film Festival. How did your short film get selected and how does it feel?

NPV: I started ON / OFF in November of 2018 and we finished it early this year in March 2020. Eighteen months. The San Diego International Film Festival is one of the best festivals in the world. It was great when I received the acceptance letter and an honor to be part of it. I screamed of happiness when I read it as if my soccer team would have scored a goal.

VG: What was the inspiration behind On/off?

NPV: Noticing constantly what all of us notice in every day's life. I started paying attention on how some people use their phones to do productive things and others to play games or browse in social media, which is not wrong if you use it as a distraction for a few minutes but that adds up. I noticed it riding Muni, in meetings, in my classes. Some students in the five minutes breaks they play games or go on social media while others look for reference and other artists. Those five minutes add up at the end of the day. I know that is a cliché but there is something about our eyes that to me that display the level of focus that you have and you can see it in those that are on a mission to achieve something.

VG: What are your social media handles?

NPV: I use Instagram the most and I use it to promote my work.

VG: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

NPV: Doing the same that I'm doing right now, teaching and directing films. We are working on the trailer of my animated feature film (The Aces) and we should have it done in around a year or so. Hopefully it will be done in less than ten years.

VG: What are three qualities every animator should have?

NPV: Drawing skills, observation and discipline.

VG: Do you have any advice for an aspiring animator?

NPV: That they should follow what they love to do without thinking of the consequences. But they need to follow it seriously. They can't follow it as a hobby. I know this is something that we hear over and over but it's true. It's the only thing I believe that will bring you peace. That they should draw as much as they can. I couldn't stop drawing when I was young and I love drawing as much today. I was attracted to drawing and then to animating. Studying animation to me and being in art school studying animation is one of the best decisions that I have ever taken. To keep a good work ethic, practice drawing as much as possible, watch movies and do research about the animation process and the principles of it. Do not lose hope and keep in mind that wherever you are, sacrifice and effort never goes unnoticed and always adds up.

NPV: What's next for you?

NPV: We are working on a feature film, The Aces, and I have two ideas for short films.

VG: RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS What's your favorite film genre?

NPV: Psychological thrillers and family films

VG: What's your favorite movie?

NPV: Tough question! Animation: The Iron Giant, Tarzan & Ratatouille, Robin Hood. The triplets of Belleville is there too. Live Action: Fight Club, Vertigo & Cinema Paradiso.

VG: What is your favorite pastime?

NPV: I love swimming and sports.

VG: Who's your favorite superhero?

NPV: Batman & The Iron Giant

VG: Do you have any pets?

NPV: No, I used to have dogs when I was a kid. German Shepards are my favorite dogs.

VG: What did you do while in quarantine?

NPV: I painted cityscapes with oil and did a 1000 Monet puzzle (took me 2 months to complete, Monet was not a wise decision for a puzzle).