Letter of intention

My name is Emil Assarsson and I’m applying to the Character Animation program. I’m 42 years old and currently living in Malmö, Sweden.

Since a few years, I have trying to find my way back to what I want and need. Since drawing and painting is something that always have resonated in me this is something that I knew had to be in my future. Still lost and searching I applied to the online workshop at CG-Society called How to become a better artist with Robert Chang during the beginning of 2013. This workshop helped me to find and work on my flaws in a more structured way. It also made me more aware about what I enjoy doing most.
During this last year I have attended to open life draw sessions one or two times a week. I have tried to work with different approaches on drawing the human figure. The book Force: Dynamic Drawing for Animators have been my primary inspiration lately. It describes force and shape in a demystifying and available way.

The reason why I decided to apply for the animation program is mainly because I want to be close to the soul of the story and to develop my abilities to act and tell. To learn how to breath life into imagination would be an honor and a profession in which I could take pride in. I enjoy working with other people even though I'm a bit introvert. I welcome critique and I try to be mindful when I give it. After all, we reach much higher as a good team than on our own.

My primary program is Photoshop and I think I'm a fairly advanced user. For me it's a very flexible and efficient tool. Other programs that I use are TV Paint, Sketchbook Pro, Painter, Illustrator and Blender. I try to use keyboard shortcuts as much as possible to keep my workflow efficient.

My dream would be to work in a bigger animation studio where there is a curiosity for new ideas and with a creative spirit. I hope to get into the industry as soon as possible and to continue to develop my abilities on my own and to learn from the best.

Glen Keane is an obvious hero with his dynamic, appealing and emotional animation. I wish to learn everything I could from his work.
I really enjoy the works of Hayao Miyazaki and his peaceful animations and lovely stories. Moebius, Frazetta, Asimov… the list of creators that have inspired me can be made long.

I really loved the beautifully and playfully animated Secret of Kell’s. District 9 is another of my favourites with its gloomy but humorous story. Pan’s Labyrinth also has to be on my list. I usually don’t enjoy horror but this really got close to me. I loved Frank Herbert’s Dune for it’s epic tale and inspiring and exiting world.

I have a frugal lifestyle and will finance my studies with student aid and personal funds.

I really hope that you can see a seed in my portfolio that is worth your time and effort. I promise to work hard on my flaws. I believe that TAW can help me become an excellent animator.