Today we’d like to introduce you to Li Cree.
Hi Li, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Oh boy, well I guess I start when I was born? Haha, I’m originally from the east coast (born in Hoboken, NJ). According to my mom, I started drawing at the age of two but I’m not sure how true that is. Even though I’ve been drawing since in diapers, it wasn’t until I was nine that I decided to pursue TV animation after watching a Japanese animated film at the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC. Since then, I studied hard and drew a lot to satisfy my creative needs. Unfortunately, I didn’t really access to resources for the arts while growing up in Jersey City (and later in suburban NY). All I knew was that if I had good grades then I would be able to go to college to study animation, which I did haha.
It wasn’t until my first animation internship was at Sesame Workshop in NYC that I realized how there weren’t many opportunities for TV animation on the east coast (at the time which was 2017). After that and graduating college, it took me two years to get hired full-time industry job as a storyboard trainee at Nickelodeon Animation Studios. It was very much a whirlwind of events and I’d be more than happy to share more details if that story is interesting haha. But in those 2 years, I did a lot of odd jobs for indie projects and friends.
After finishing the trainee program, I’ve been incredibly lucky and gracious to work on various projects (Hollywood, indie and international) that challenge me to grow more as an artist.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Hm, I wouldn’t say it the smoothest. Growing up in Jersey City as black, Hispanic, indigenous girl with divorced parents and below middle class always presented difficult obstacles. While my parents supported my artistic endeavors, we never had the money to really get me the fancy equipment or fancy programs. But I still made do with what I had! Even if it was printer paper and Crayola crayons! From my childhood until now as a working professional in TV animation, it’s always been an uphill battle ’cause I’ve known the cards were always stacked against me when I decided to pursue this career. Sadly, it felt lonely wanting to pursue animation during my childhood and teenage years. There weren’t really any female, queer, or multiracial creators I could look up to or mentor me. So, I mostly had to figure things out on my own with the pressure of possibly setting the standard for future creators who are similar to me. But I think it was worth it, as long as the next person doesn’t have to feel lonely like I did as a kid.
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 a storyboard artist and 2D animator by trade. Some of my works include the Rugrats reboot (Nickelodeon), Star Trek Lower Decks (Titmouse Inc), Critical Role (Amazon/Titmouse Inc) and the new upcoming show Spiderman Freshman Year (Marvel Studios).
As an animator, I primarily work in Japanese animation productions. This past year I’ve worked on animes like Boruto, Bleach and Madoka Magica. Right now, I’m currently working on original anime productions that’ll be coming out starting this spring into 2024. I’m excited to see how my work turned out in those and what people think of these new original stories.
Outside of that, I’m also currently directing my own animated short, Hollowville, at an indie production company Deathberry Inc. It’s a project that I’ve been working on since I was 15 and I’m really happy that I can finally being this idea to life! While I can’t give any more specifics about the project, it really has been a childhood dream come true and can’t to share with others.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Oh, that’s a good question. This might be weird but I actually don’t called it “networking.” I know that’s official term but that word never sits well with me. I like to call “networking” building real, genuine relationships with my peers in my creative field. Even before moving to LA and working in animation, I could always tell when people could see my skill (drawing, animating, etc.) and make use of that for them but not really want to foster a real connection with me. It doesn’t feel very nice haha. So I never want to make others feel that way. Instead of asking about only their work/accolades I love learning about other people’s interests, passions and their perspectives. Sometimes you might find a common interest in something really obscure or just learn something entirely new that you didn’t know existed. At least for myself, that’s been the biggest tool for me to form genuine connections with people in animation (whether they’re in a higher position than me or at the same job level as me). I think approaching peers or people you admire with the intent of forming a real bond and not just for work goes a long way in the entertainment business in general.
Contact Info:
- Email: li.cree0803@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/li_cree/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/38___sr
Image Credits
Deathberry Logo by Danica Dickison
