​ARTIST STATEMENT

Because of our attachment and ability to relate to characters in fiction, we often find inspiration from these works in any medium. That is the statement I have kept in mind when creating my project. A 2-minute proof-of-concept for a 2.5D animated short film. Combining 2D characters of varying styles and methods of animation with a 2D background that works on 3D perspective. The film showcases just some of the characters and worlds which I have been developing in a little-known series of drawings, webcomics and one undergrad thesis film (by that I mean one of the characters in here was featured in that one, as well). We follow a struggling artist named Jose Artena as he tries to think of something to draw. All the while, a group of cartoon characters pop up to help him in ways that don’t seem to go anywhere. Three of the toons are embodiments of three very distinct and vital eras of animation. Gloves the Cat, being the first one to show up, is heavily inspired by rubber hose-era and Fleischer cartoons while Jackie Rabbit is based on old Warner Bros. cartoons (most notably those of Bob Clampett) and Globi represents the 50s’ minimalist UPA style of animation. The film does not illustrate these aspects in a superficial way, as it goes beyond the characters’ designs with their animation and accompanying music and sound effects also reflecting those eras. The last character to join, Liney, is one that represents his own unique art style while also including attributes from the others. The short film will bring comedy and enjoyment, as toons do, while also leaving certain questions unanswered for the audience to come to their own conclusions.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Antonio Pecora - a Colombian-Ecuadorian (with some Argentinian in there, somewhere) born in Queens and raised in Long Island since the age of two. He always wanted to work in animation and create cartoons of my own. Inspired by the many animated shows he would watch as a kid from Ed, Edd ‘n’ Eddy and Animaniacs to pretty much any cartoon on Nickelodeon at the time (except for Rocket Power). In school, he would doodle in my notebooks while still trying to get the classwork itself done. Eventually, Antonio would pick out my favorite designs out of the doodles he created alongside drawing up new characters. He would draw them in various cartoony antics lifted from the shows that he would watch in a crudely drawn fashion that only an eccentric, yet shy and socially awkward 9-year-old could. As Antonio grew up, so did his art skills and taste in film. He started getting more into the old Warner Bros. cartoons as well as independent animation ever since he came across a little-known film called Song of the Sea. Originally after high school, Antonio went to Suffolk County Community College where he grew a fascination for paintings and fine art. Currently the interest acts as an occasional side hobby. Afterwards, he transferred to New York Institute of Technology where he graduated with a BFA in Digital Arts. Currently, he is back in the New York Institute of Technology for my master’s degree in Digital Arts. But he also spends his free time making personal animations and artwork, as well as the occasional commission or freelance work. His graduate thesis will be a two-minute proof-of-concept film which combines two styles of 2D design and animation which he has much experience with. That being cartoony character designs and more down-to-earth character designs. Today, Antonio’s artwork tends to focus more on cartoony expression with some realism thrown in when needed. He uses specific ways of shading, lighting and texturing for most of his drawings but will simply sketch out a piece when need be. He usually focuses on his own creations as well as the creations of others. He is somewhat known online for his fan art of the many works that he enjoys. When it comes to painting, he’ll mostly paint landscapes and environments but has done several paintings of Billy Mays for some inexplicable reason. His inspirations span throughout many art mediums. From fine art such as the works of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and William Kentridge to the world of animation such as the works of Eddie Trigueros, Dan Haskett, Katie J. Rice, Tomm Moore, Tex Avery and Koji Nanke. But what motivates him to create is being able to get his ideas out there for people to enjoy.