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Meet Camilo Castro of Disney Jr and Wild Canary Animation

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Camilo Castro.

Camilo, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m a Colombian artist in the Animation Industry, based in Los Angeles, California. I remember I always loved watching cartoons and animated films, but I never had the thought of pursuing animation as a career. It wasn’t until I started an Engineering degree when my drive and interest for art started growing. I went to conferences and conventions like SIGGRAPH. It was there when I instantly knew I wanted to pursue art. Seeing so many inspiring artists and their work helped me to understand I wanted to dedicate my life to animation.

I developed my love for the arts later in life. I was pursuing an Engineering degree while taking Computer Graphic classes here and there. I decided to take one of their drawings; drawing for engineering. It was there when something started clicking for me, even though it was quite technical. I learned a lot about technical drawing. Initially, I wanted to be a CG (Computer Generated) Animator or Lighter. After getting my degree in Engineering, I decided to move to the US. I went to Ringling College of Art + Design in Sarasota, FL. I started drawing from life and did many observational sketches. I learned the basics and met really talented people who pushed my drive.

I wanted to learn from everybody and everything. During my third year of Art School (2017), I got an offer from Walt Disney Animation Studios as a Visual Development Intern. It was my first time visiting Los Angeles. I was so excited to explore the city and be immersed in such a diverse environment. During the internship, me and the other interns were in charge of creating a short film: “Ventana.” In which I served as Art Director, I design every aspect of the film, from the Character Design to the Sets. I went back to finish my art degree, and soon enough I got an offer from Pixar Animation Studios to join their Art team after graduation.

I was lucky enough to work on Toy Story 4 and another upcoming film that is on the making. I’m currently living in North Hollywood and working for Disney Jr as a Designer for their upcoming TV Show: The Rocketeer. And also doing some freelance for Warner Animation Group and Passion Pictures Animation.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not at all. The journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been a fun and enjoyable one. Moving to the US has had its challenges and sacrifices. Leaving my family and friends behind wasn’t easy, but I was determined to work hard and fight for my dreams. Art was not the most traditional path since I come from a family of Doctors and Engineers.

Although my family was very supportive of my choice of pursuing art, it took my parents a while to understand my passion for it. Working in this industry has taught me to value discipline and people. Luckily, I met people early in my career that helped me and supported me. It pushed me to take things more serious.

When you work in Animation, there is no option but having to work hard. The competition is going to be very high, and rejection will always be present. It is a difficult path but a fun one. Surrounding myself with people who keep me motivated was and will always be key.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Disney Jr and Wild Canary Animation – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a Designer for Disney Jr’s upcoming TV Show: The Rocketeer. I help the team designing characters, the props and the sets the characters interact with. We usually design everything based on the story that is giving to us.

Our purpose is to design to serve and support a given story. Additionally, I also do some freelance work for Warner Animation Group. I am helping on a project that is on the making as a Character Designer.

In my free time, I tend to develop personal work. As an artist, I feel the need to keep developing my voice and trying to find it. I like drawing from life and tell stories with it.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
To keep doing what I do. That’s always the goal. I have some projects I’d like to develop, but they are still early ideas that need development. World building is always something I’ve been interested in. I’d like to develop worlds visually. Worlds that tell stories and inspire people. To me, that is how I bring people together, through my work and storytelling.

I’m also happy to share that I will be a part of Lightbox Expo in September among many incredible prominent professionals in the animation, TV/films and game industry. It’s such an honor to be part of it, I will be next to many of my heroes who have inspired thousands of people.

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