Inspiring Conversations with Barry Strum of Midnight Oil Animation

Today we’d like to introduce you to Barry Strum.

Hi Barry, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I embarked on my animation journey probably like many others who shared the same dream. It all began with watching “Frozen”. As a lover of cartoons and anime, the impact of “Frozen” on me was profound. At the time, I was a communication major at USC, but the ocean of tears I shed when Anna turned into ice-saving Elsa inspired me to make a significant change—I decided to apply to the USC Division of Animation and Digital Arts. However, there was one obstacle: I did not draw well. Undeterred, I committed myself to learning how to become a 3D animator, a field that doesn’t necessarily require strong drawing skills. Although my first application was rejected, I didn’t let that discourage me. I applied again the following year and was ecstatic to be accepted.

During my final year at school, I fell in love with the collaborative nature of being a producer working on my own thesis and working within a team as an intern at Nickelodeon on “The Loud House”. After graduation, I had the opportunity to embark on another internship, this time at Blue Sky Studios in New York City. Spending the summer there was an unforgettable experience, further fueling my passion for the industry.

Building upon these valuable experiences, I secured my first two professional jobs as a production assistant at DreamWorks on the projects “Trolls World Tour” and “Boss Baby 2”. These opportunities, as well as the two transformative internships at Nickelodeon Animation and Blue Sky Studios, led me to where I am today.

Currently, I am proud to hold the position of Department Producer at Blizzard Entertainment’s Story Franchise department, where we create captivating game cinematics for some of the world’s best video games, such as Diablo, Overwatch and World of Warcraft. It’s an exhilarating role that allows me to witness the magic of animation come to life from start to finish.

Amidst these exciting professional endeavors, I joined forces with one of my closest friends, DeLon Warren, to embark on our own creative projects and develop animated pilots under our company, Midnight Oil Animation. Our first pilot can be found here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0SnUAVs5nQ&t=1s]. It stands as a testament to our dedication and determination to bring our unique visions to life.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey hasn’t been smooth sailing. Apart from the challenges I’ve already mentioned regarding my drawing skills and getting into the Animation major, landing my first PA (Production Assistant) job proved to be an uphill battle. It took me more than 15 interviews before finally securing a position on “Trolls World Tour”. There were moments when I felt like throwing in the towel and exploring a career in real estate. Breaking into this industry can be incredibly tough, but with perseverance and unwavering passion, it is absolutely possible.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Midnight Oil Animation is a unique company that creates top-of-the-line animated media and distinctive creator-driven content. We seek not only to tell our own stories but to lend a voice to other creators, as well. From pilot TV shows and music videos to animated comics, we are reimagining what is possible within the medium. The oil is always burning and we have what it takes to light your ideas on fire!

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Here’s a fun fact about me that might surprise you: I do voice acting for one of my closest friends, Adam Katz, on his YouTube show called “Inanimate Insanity”. It’s been a blast to lend my voice to Blueberry. But that’s not all—I’m also a huge anime enthusiast. I’ve watched over 500 anime shows, and my love for the genre doesn’t stop there. I’ve devoured approximately 1,000 different manga titles, as well. It’s safe to say that my passion for anime and manga knows no bounds. Exploring these captivating worlds of storytelling has been an incredible journey.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strum_believable/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RainbowFloor
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/midnight-oil-animation/about/

Image Credits
Barry Strum and DeLon Warren