Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray Mendoza Landa.
Hi Ray, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a LatinX Storyboard Artist currently working as a Story Revisionist at Warner Brothers Animation. My path to animation officially started when I began attending San Jose State University as an Animation/Illustration major. I went in knowing very little about the world of animation and very little drawing milage. As far as my art skills, I was very middle of the pack compared to my fellow peers. I went into the Animation Program with more of a theatre background and I knew I had to work twice as hard if I wanted to catch up to everyone else. Having a theatre background became my greatest strength because even though my draftsmanship as artist was still developing, I knew I was a storyteller. The time and effort that I would put into my work was first acknowledged by my animation professor Brandon Moore, who recommended me for the Tonko House Animation Internship. By some miracle Tonko House offered me the internship and it was there where my draftsmanship as an artist really evolved. They soon brought me back the following summer as a Story Intern where I was able to direct an episode for NHK’s Japan ODOMO series, with the guidance of Dice Tsutsumi.
During my time at Tonko House, I was able to develop my idea that ended up being my thesis project at San Jose State. I was able to create and direct the animated graphic novel “Sol Naciente” a story about a young boy who wants to be a great luchador like his dad. I was finally able to bring one of my stories to life. My journey as a storyteller did not end there as I was one of 8 lucky individuals that was offered the coveted Story Internship at Pixar. Derek Thompson and Brian Kalin O’Connell who were the Story Internship instructors took a chance on me because they saw my passion for storytelling. Going through that internship was one of the toughest and most life-changing experiences of my life. I truly felt like I became a better storyteller because of it. I just want to keep telling stories and hopefully get another opportunity to tell my own story again.
My voice got me to Tonko House, my voice got me to Pixar, my voice allowed me to meet one of my artistic heroes Jorge Gutierrez. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to share my voice. My parents came to this country to give myself and my siblings a better life. I knew at a young age that I didn’t want to squander the opportunity that my parents have given me. They wanted me to pursue an education porque querían que trabajara con mi mente y no con mis manos. They wanted to give me opportunities that they didn’t have in Mexico and with the animation, I feel I am accomplishing that. I am lucky enough to be in an industry where I want to work with both mi mente y mis manos.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road was not always smooth. I have fought and struggled with imposter syndrome. Having a lack of drawing milage. I didn’t know anything about perspective, how to keep a sketchbook, or how to even properly paint. But going through the Animation program really helped me develop the foundation that I needed. My imposter syndrome still comes and goes, I just know that I have to keep working hard if I want to keep improving.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am currently a storyboard revisionist but I want to eventually move up to storyboard artist. I like storyboarding action/comedy boards as some of my favorite cartoons growing up was Dragon Ball, Jackie Chan Adventures and Teen Titans. As my story skills developed, I realized that I really love telling stories about family and familial relationships especially stories about fathers and sons. As of right now, I think I’m most know more the Animated Graphic Novel I created along with some of my amazing talented friends called Sol Naciente. I’ve been wanting to tell this story about a young boy who wants to follow in the footsteps of his father and become a great luchador. However, he is not as big or as buff as his dad and struggles to find his way as a luchador. It was a huge passion project and I and super proud of how it came out. I worked with an amazing team who not only believed in the project but believed in me. I think what sets me apart is that I know how important representation is and I want to do that with my art and the stories I tell. I want to help create more representation while still making it relatable to everyone.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Watching Dragon Ball Z with my dad. My dad is a typical Mexican dad that works hard to provide for his family as well as for his mother back in Mexico. My dad started working at age 13 and has being working tough labor intensive jobs for as long as I can remember. So often times after work, he would just want to eat, sleep, and watch futbol, again typical Mexican dad. But my cherished memory when he would have time for me is when he would sit me down next to him and we would watch DBZ because he loved watching Dragon Ball in high school and wanted to share that love with me. It is honestly the closest I’ve ever felt with my dad. It was watching DBZ that my passion for drawing first started.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://raymendozalanda.wixsite.com/portfolio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raydiosilence/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solnacientecomic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaydioSilence
Image Credits
Jose Rocha also known as Rocha Multimedia
