Meet Mark Galez of Cartoon Network in Burbank

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Galez.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Mark. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always loved drawing ever since I could remember first picking up a pencil. I started falling in love with cartoons and when I realized that drawing cartoons was an actual job people did, I felt my fate had been sealed. I grew up in a traditional Filipino family, I was first generation and the idea of me being an “artist” didn’t sit well with my family at first. Nursing was what my Mom did, it was what got my mom and dad to move to America, it was what brought stability to our lives, and it was what was expected for me to start pursuing. I remember the day where I was signing up for medical school, looking at what classes I needed to take and where I’d be place my final signature on the paper, I felt as though I was about to sign my soul away. So, I had a talk with my parents and asked if I could atleast try one semester of art school. I began fall semester at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where I studied traditional animation/storyboarding. My parents soon realized this was something I was taking seriously and thankfully started supporting me throughout my journey.

After school, I was able to get a storyboard mentorship at BlueSky Animation Studios where I worked on feature films such as Peanuts and Ferdinand. I grew and learned so much more on the job, thankfully through becoming friends with my mentors and making connections I was recommended for a storyboard position at Cartoon Network. I took a storyboard test, which conisists of a small portion of the outline and I would have to board out the sequence seeing if I would be a good fit for the show. I didn’t hear back for a month. I started looking for other tests and I ended up getting in contact with Dreamworks tv for a storyboard revisionist position. I had a start date with them and I was set to start moving to LA. I still haven’t heard back from Cartoon Network so I thought I’d send them a follow-up email about my test and me letting them know I got a position at Dreamworks. I get an email reply right away from Stephen Neary (showrunner on Clarence) which he tells me that he wants to bring me onto the crew. I was shocked and excited! But now I had to turn down my position at Dreamworks. Luckily they were understanding of the situation and I started working on Clarence April 2015, It was truly a dream come true and to be working at the studio was something that I know seven years old me would be super proud to see. Currently, I’ve been at the studio for four years working on a variety shows from Clarence, Craig of the Creek, Victor Valentino and a new unreleased series The Fungies.

Has it been a smooth road?
During my days at art school, I was sold on this idea that you have to do what it takes to get the job. You must stand out artistically, find your own style, make work to get the studios to notice you. All this time thinking about how to get the job went out the window as soon as I started working. I never thought about what to do after I got a job.

I worked really hard to keep the job. The constant struggle for an artist and any creative is the doubt and fear of never being good enough. I felt I needed to prove myself that I can be in this studio, I didn’t want to feel like I was fraud. I was also the youngest/newest fresh out of school to be working so I felt there was a lot of pressure I was putting on myself. It was good pressure though and it forced me to learn quickly and grow more artistically. But a bigger thing I realized working full time as a creative is really embracing a healthy work-life balance. Early on, I was so used to the idea of crunch and working hard that my health was something that I was neglecting. I started working at such a young age, right out of school, that I needed sometime to process not just my career but my life and who I am at that point. It was so easy to get swept up by the idea of success. Having such a busy 9-5 schedule, I realized my I was living my life by deadlines. The idea of working hard isn’t a bad thing and I understand there are times to crunch and hustle. But I was becoming too attached to my work and needed to give a reminder to myself that I am a person first not just a workhorse. Work-life balance is key and getting more in tune with my life outside of work is hugely beneficial which then I can channel new inspiration from my experiences back into my artwork.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I work at Cartoon Network as a storyboard artist. Storyboard artists works with the Showrunner, directors, and writers to help visualize scenes and sequences from a written outline. Generally every board artist on the show is paired up with each other so you work with a board partner per episode. After an episode is drawn we pitch them to the crew and try to sell the feeling/tone of the episodes to see if the story is working and clear. I’m very proud of the fact that I was able to work on original new shows but also meeting and becoming friends with the talent behind these shows. Most importantly when these shows come out, I’m reminded that these episodes we work on for weeks and months are for kids who enjoy them. Its always rewarding to see what people think of your work and hopefully these kids are taking away important lessons being taught in these shows. I feel I’m able to stand out by having experience in feature film that I’m able to simplify and compose shots more cinematically than you would normally see in TV.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles is definitely the central hub for animation. All the studios are here, all the conventions to meet people are here so starting out, yes I feel LA is the place so you can grow your network but for me it doesn’t have to be the end all be all. I feel everyone has there own thoughts and opinions about LA, for me personally I’m not entirely loving this location I prefer a more walkable city than a city that functions mostly through driving in a car. Not sure how the traffic situation can be improved but if studios were located in more walkable interesting areas maybe it’d be more fun.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.markgalez.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/mark.geee
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/remarkable_art

Image Credit:
Victoria Lu

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