Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Lam.
Michelle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always had an interest in sequential art since I was younger. I used to staple papers together to write and illustrate my own books and uploaded amateur animations I did onto youtube as a kid. Eventually, I went to CalArts to pursue a BFA in Character Animation and graduated focusing on storyboarding. I worked as a storyboard artist for studios such as Netflix Animation, Glen Keane Productions, Tonko House, Titmouse Animation, and Skydance Animation. Recently, I assistant directed on ONI: THUNDERGOD’S TALE at Tonko House which won two Annie Awards, and I published my first graphic novel MEESH the BAD DEMON with Penguin Random House Knopf.
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 hardest part was post-graduation. Nobody knows who you are, and you have to prove yourself to those who have had so much more experience than you in the industry. It took me several rejections to land my first full-time animation job, and even after your first gig, you still have to line up the ones to come. While it definitely got easier than when I first graduated, I still have to line up projects after one another for financial stability and to maintain my benefits. I found investing in personal projects such as my graphic novel MEESH the BAD DEMON and running my social media platforms @mewTripled on Instagram and youtube to be helpful ways of cushioning the hiatuses in between projects, as well as establishing a name for myself outside of my industry. My animation job, graphic novel, and social media all work together well, but maintaining the balance amongst them was also initially a struggle. You have to manage your time well and stick through with the plans you set.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an artist who primarily focuses in storytelling, whether it be through animation, comics, or illustration. I’ve storyboarded on animated shows such as TRASH TRUCK, ARLO the ALLIGATOR BOY, I HEART ARLO, and ONI: THUNDERGOD’S TALE which are now all watchable on Netflix, and WONDLA (2024) which will soon be on Apple TV+. I also recently released my first fantasy graphic novel MEESH the BAD DEMON which is now available in major stores and bookstores, and post comics and videos under @mewTripled on Instagram and Youtube. Most people know of me through my career journey in animation, as well as my personal comics I share on social media, but I am most proud of my graphic novel MEESH the BAD DEMON for being my first official publication. While I don’t think this sets me too far apart from other artists, I really love thinking about my whole career as a restaurant, and my storyboarding career, author career, and social media career are just three of the major dishes I serve. I don’t like to think about one job defining me or my career as an artist, and I prefer having multiple projects running at the same time so I don’t develop tunnel vision on one of them.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
My favorite apps currently are the Libby App to borrow books to read and the Calm App which helps me remember to take a moment to breathe. I love reading any graphic novels really, but some of my recent favorites are THE MAGIC FISH, SALT MAGIC, and THE PRINCE and the DRESSMAKER. I also love reading memoirs to see how some of the people we know in our society have overcame hurdles and continue to cope and persevere. Some of my favorites are CRYING in H MART, KNOW MY NAME, and I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED. As an artist who usually spends most of her days working on animated shows, I’ve found more comfort in books lately, as I find they offer more room for imagination, whereas films/shows sometimes feel like the creative vision for it is already established by someone else.
Contact Info:
- Website: mewtripled.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/mewtripled
- Youtube: youtube.com/mewtripled
Image Credits
Author Photo by Joshua Chun (@joshuachunphotography)
