Conversations with Alex Ferreira Simoes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Ferreira Simoes.

Hi Alex, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a character animator currently working with Gameplay Animation for the Champions Team on League of Legends at Riot Games, and before that, I have worked with Featured Films, TV Ads, TV Series and Short films playing all the various roles, from being an Animator to Lead Animator to Supervisor and Animation Director I have the pleasure to work for companies like Dreamworks Animation, Blue Sky Studios, Sony Pictures Imageworks and many others and it’s very inspirational to be on such a creative environment.

I’m originally from Sao Paulo – Brazil, where it all started, working first as a generalist with a very small team, slowly learning the 3d animation world.

I’ve always been passionate about teaching and mentoring so I decided to have my own mentorship program and a Patreon page, that’s how Animation Flow was born, where I can share my knowledge, it’s being an immense pleasure to see my mentees learning and applying all this learn on their craft, and, having better opportunities on their careers because of my mentorship. That’s the most rewarding feeling I could have.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was definitely not easy to achieve all of that and I still feel like I’m learning every day, both on my craft and new subjects, and I think I was able to succeed only because I didn’t give up and, the main lesson I always want to emphasize, is to have a clear idea and direction of what you’re doing and why. All the risks and rewards and what’s the best plan to achieve that. But of course, things don’t happen in a day or two, it’s always good to have small goals to keep you on track to the bigger dream you have. I can talk more about some struggles I had on the way, for example leaving my country to a completely different country that’s much colder and speaks a different language that I was very not familiar with without knowing anyone, that was very intimidating.

Also, besides dealing with your work and how to perform good on what you’re doing, I also had to always be on top of everything in regards to immigration and paperwork, so I can make sure I can take the right decisions because as an immigrant needing special work visas it’s always a step harder to take any decision.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m specialized in Character Animation for games and featured films. I’m known for my professional work on the game League of Legends and my animation work at Dreamworks animation on the movies The Bad Guys, Boss Baby Family Business and Abominable, also for many of my supervising and animation director work on short films and tv ads. Also, a big part of my career is the Animation Flow, where I have my mentorship program and a Patreon page where I can share more knowledge and help animators grow on their skills and get better opportunities on the industry. I think I’m the most proud of my work on the Bad Guys movie and the Animation Flow students, getting amazing opportunities after having my mentorship program.

What sets me apart from others, I believe is my hard work and not giving up, really trying to make the best out of a presented opportunity, I know I’m not the most skilled on what I do, but I try really hard to make sure I can be the best I can.

Pricing:

• Patreon starts at $1 and it goes up depending on the tiers
• Mentorship Program starts on $100

Contact Info:

• Website: www.patreon.com/animationflow
• Instagram: alexferreiraa
• Twitter: aferreirasimoes
• Other: www.animationflow.com

Image Credits
The Bad Guys poster – property of Dreamworks Animation League of Legends poster – property of Riot Games