We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kellin Sproul. Check out our conversation below.
Kellin, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, I’m spending a lot of time grinding, preparing portfolio material and looking for work. Unfortunately, things in the entertainment industry continue to be tumultuous and dry, but I still persist. Perhaps out of sheer stubbornness or blind hope, I want to make art my career, my life. I can’t imagine living life without doing something creative, and when I leave my mark on this world, I want to be remembered as an artist who created work that moved people’s hearts and minds. Call me corny, but I want to inspire people the way other animated works inspired me as a kid. It gives me hope, brings me joy, and I want to be that for people.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Howdy everyone! I’m Kellin, a storyboard artist and 2D animator trying to break into the animation industry. Whether it be through a large studio or through indie animation, I want to one day be the showrunner of my own animated series. I love action-adventure type series – think shows like “Invincible,” or movies like “The Bad Guys,” “Promare,” and “Kpop Demon Hunters.” Additionally, while the action adds a nice touch of eye-candy to capture the audience, I want my stories to have an strong, underlying feeling of humanity and connection to it – stories that celebrate life, in all it’s glory and sorrows.
Growing up and battling mixed identities as an Asian American and trans artist, I feel a deep need to tell the stories of under-represented communities like my own. I remember how alone I would feel growing up sometimes, how I would feel isolated from people because I felt too different. I want my stories to show that difference is something to be celebrated, that you don’t need to feel ashamed if you don’t conform to societal norms. I hope that the stories I’m working on can not only entertain, but inspire change.
Right now, a little passion project I’m working on is a love story set in a world where vampires and werewolves co-habitat with one another, despite racial tensions between the two. The couple (a vampire and werewolf) learn to navigate their relationship amongst prejudice, both external and internalized messaging. It’s something that’s really exciting me right now – I mean, who doesn’t love a good paranormal queer romance?
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I remember picking up a stuffed animal, and through sheer imagination, I could create whole worlds, riddled with adventure, emotion, and high fantasy settings that would put my normal life to shame. I loved the freedom play enabled within me – probably explains why I wanted to be an artist when I grew up!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been many times since graduating college where I’ve doubted my career path. Right now, with no one hiring and with the economy becoming harder and harder to navigate (at least in the USA), it feels like the career path I choose – which was already an unstable one to begin with – is even more unfeasible to achieve success in right now.
Not gonna lie, I have started pursuing back-up plans, just in case things fall through. However, that doesn’t mean I’ve given up. I’m still working to make my art stronger, continuing to network with other creative, learning ways to hone my craft so one day I can finally get a job in animation. I’m not sure why, but I just have this gut feeling that if I keep trying, something good will happen. It may not be immediate success, but I know that hardwork pays off. I look to my heroes – Hayao Miyazaki, Brad Bird, Dana Terrace – and how they’ve overcome adversity. Art is something I’m willing to fight for. I won’t give up.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Showrunning my own series. I used to think that I would work by way up the corporate latter as a storyboard artist, but the industry is proving that that route is becoming harder and harder to achieve success in. Fortunately, indie animation is surging in popularity, and that gives me hope that even if I can’t make a show through a huge corporate studio that I can still make it happen through other avenues. New routes of possibility are opening up, and while it’s terrifying, it’s also exciting!
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing?
Making art – I don’t care if I can’t make it my livelihood. I won’t stop making art. Even if I have to go corporate and do a standard nine-to-five desk job to support my art, I will do what it takes to keep my creativity alive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.storybykellin.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storybykellin/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellinsproul/
