Check Out Josh Spooner’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Spooner.

Hi Josh, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My path as an artist wasn’t always cut and dry. From an early age, I’d constantly be drawing, which grew into a love of comic books, building model kits, and creating home movies. In high school, my love of art, music, and movies really took shape. I then started to dabble with visual effects, set building, and editing.

When I attended art school in Detroit, everything came into focus. I loved the mix of traditional classes like maquette sculpture and stop-motion animation while also learning modern skills like digital compositing and 3D modeling.

After graduating in 2015, my partner Tash and I packed up and drove across the country in a fully loaded 12ft Budget truck. After landing in the valley, I started as a Production Assistant for a visual effects/miniatures studio, where I made some of the connections that have led me to where I am today (almost a decade and several dream projects later).

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a long road… getting from there to here (IYKYK)… My family struggled with the idea of pursuing art as a career. Like so many parents, mine were worried about money and stability (#StarvingArtist). For many years, I wrestled with maintaining confidence as an artist, feeling like there was no creative career path forward — that it’s just a hobby.

Pursuing a career in entertainment and moving away from where I grew up in Michigan felt both financially ridiculous and a kind of impossible dream. Eventually, I realized that the time was going to keep passing, so I decided to give it a shot. I enrolled in art school and decided to devote myself to making a living as a creative professional.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I primarily work as a “model maker” on everything from miniatures to full-size props and costumes. I’m most proud of working alongside legends in the field of practical and visual effects. I’m always trying to learn more about blending traditional techniques with new media and technology.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
My art & media teachers in high school, professors at art college, my geeky friends, and my partner Tash really encouraged me to pursue art and entertainment as a career. Being a Professional Creative was a hard thing to sell in my house growing up, but when they saw the amount of effort I was contributing to my passion, I eventually gained my family’s support as well.

As for my time in the industry, literally every person I’ve worked with has had a hand in my growth and path. From my first gig as a PA with New Deal Studios to my latest role with Legacy Effects and the wizards from the former Stan Winston Studio that created some of the most iconic work of my youth (like Aliens).

Contact Info:

• Website: joshspooner.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicaljosh/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-spooner-a4391299
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/practicalfilm
• Other: practicalfilm.com