Meet Erin McDermott

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin McDermott.

Erin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It’s hard to say where the beginning of my journey starts, but if I had to guess- it would be The Mallard Dome. It was a sort of commune in the woods in North Carolina. The Mallard Dome was a place where many people gathered, camped, played volleyball, basketball, and was filled with musicians, artists, and other creatives. There were about 15 of us kids that ran around wild. Our parents would let us roam and explore the surrounding woods by ourselves. Even though it sounds scary and probably frowned upon, we all learned how to be very independent, cautious, and most importantly- free. The landscape was covered in natural red clay, which we would all sculpt with- and burnt wood leftover from the previous night’s campfire that we would sketch with. Thick acres of woods hugged the entire area.

My characters in my animated films are inspired by the people I grew up around. The environments I draw are influenced by my time as a kid growing up in the woods and exploring places like The Mallard Dome. Many of these folks are still in my life. Many of them have passed. The Mallard Dome still remains deep in the woods, but the wilderness has taken over and barely anything remains.

Being surrounded by so many loving people all your life can make it pretty lonely when you move away from them. After all, most of these folks helped raise the money I needed to move out here and attend my dream school, CalArts. I may not believe in myself some days, but so many others do. They helped me get this far and I can’t let them down.

During my third year at CalArts, I was struggling with picking a topic for my film and was feeling very homesick. With the coaxing of my incredible teacher Soyeon Kim and an exciting animation assignment given by Robert Domingo- I decided I had to include the folks back home in my next film. This film allowed me to focus on my roots and reflect on everything I love about home. This exploration led me to create something that felt especially genuine and personal to me. I had finally found my voice as an artist.

Great, 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?
Sure, there have been plenty of struggles along the way. I honestly never thought I would attend college. When I graduated high school, my mother was a waitress and my father worked at a factory that made bearings for automotives. Neither of them had attended college at the time. I ended up following my mother’s footsteps and began waiting tables at the same local restaurant.

In my early 20’s, I felt incredibly stuck in life. I had been waiting tables for a while and felt lost. My mother suggested I take a screenprinting and stained glass class with her. She said, “Whenever you feel stuck- try something new.” It was in these classes that I fell back in love with the arts and it rekindled my spirit. We had so much fun together and I am very fortunate to say that I got to go to college with my mom. I continued waiting tables for ten years and by chance watched Wreck It Ralph after a long shift. The movie really touched my heart and I decided right then and there that I wanted to be a part of movies like this.

I researched the top animation schools in the world and found CalArts. Almost all of my favorite movies were directed and created by CalArts alumni, so I decided to apply. However, I had no idea the acceptance rate for their Character Animation program was 4.6%, which was as tough as Stanford’s. I was rejected and heartbroken, but I tried again. And failed- again.

Applying to CalArts was a real defining moment in my life. I had never wanted something so bad. I would draw everyday. All day. When I waited tables I would draw on togo boxes or on my guest check slips. Life drawing workshops were near impossible to find, so I drew live local musicians around Charlotte. I was determined to get into CalArts. Every rejection was just more fuel to keep going.

Every summer I would see CalArts promoting their 5-week intensive summer program. I had always wanted to attend, however it came with a hefty price tag of $5,000. There was no way I could afford it- especially with taking five weeks off of work. I remember thinking if I could just get into this program, I could finally figure out what they are looking for and show them how serious I am about attending CalArts. One night after work before heading to bed I jokingly posted on FaceBook, “Dear Universe, please send me 5k so that I may go to the CalArts Summer Animation Residency. Amen.” I was half joking – half serious. I awoke the next morning to a GoFundMe my mom had created with my first donation from her.

Later that day, her friend Randy Franklin, (a local Charlotte musician that I frequently drew), reached out to tell her he wanted to organize a benefit for me to raise the money I needed for the CalArts Summer Residency. He rounded up all his musician friends and started planning. The benefit was held at The Comet Grill in Charlotte, NC. I sold my art out front and the musicians played inside. All the tips made that day were put towards my goal of $5,000. We raised every single dollar. It was incredible. I was in complete shock. I still to this day cannot believe how loving and generous the folks back home were to me.

I nervously, yet excitedly headed to California. I had no idea what to expect, but I knew I had to try my very best for everyone back home. Quickly, I realized this was exactly where I needed to be. For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by artists. I remember meeting fellow classmates that wanted to shake my hand and I said, “I would shake your hand, but mine is covered in charcoal” And they said, “Me too!” And we laughed and happily shook hands. It was great! The models we drew were incredible. I drew more than I had ever drawn in my life. We all drew before class, after class, and on the weekends. We were prolific! I was growing faster than ever and making friends that are now some of my best! This was by far THE best summer of my life.

And just like that- it was over. I didn’t want to leave. I knew this was where I belonged. I promised myself I would be back. My first day back in Charlotte was tough. I could feel the magic from those five weeks slowly fading back to reality. My mom and I were at Starbucks when suddenly I blurted, “Mom, I know I just got back, but I want to fly back out to California and look for apartments tomorrow.” There was a big laugh and then her expression softed when she realized I was serious. She said, “I’ll see if I can take off work to come with you.” I went home and told my boyfriend of 9 years the same thing. Waiting for someone to tell me to come back to Earth- he instead told me he was totally okay with us moving to California. And 24 hours later I was on a plane back to California!

We found a place to live and drove cross country to our new home months later after saving money for the move.

When we arrived I was greeted by friends from the residency that lived nearby. We continued to draw nonstop until the CalArts application deadline. I drove to the school and nervously turned in my application sketchbook.

I moved my entire life out here without knowing if I would ever be accepted. Not only had I moved out here, but so many people were now invested in me getting into CalArts. They got me here. I started feeling very overwhelmed. “What if I let everyone down?” I wondered.

March came and my application decision was ready. I had opened this letter so many times before. I was so nervous. Finally, I opened it and quickly scanned and found the word “delighted” and I screamed! And cried! I had finally done it! I had gotten into my dream school. I hugged my boyfriend, cried, called my parents, and cried some more. I had actually recorded my reaction for my parents and friends, just incase I got accepted. Later, I decided to post it for everyone who helped me, so they could all see how grateful I was. It is still up to this day and I watch it to relive that very special day. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4S36MIW4Zk)

Currently, I am interning at Six Point Harness as an Art Intern and have just finished working on a short for Sony Pictures Animation called ‘Hair Love.’ It will be showing in theaters August 14th, 2019. I can’t wait for everyone back home to see it. The film is so beautiful and I am so honored to have been a part of it’s making.

I am now entering my final year at CalArts. It has been a wild journey, but I am reminded everyday how very fortunate I am to be attending one of the top animation schools in the world. My final film will be completed at the end of April 2020.

What else should our readers know?
I specialize in Visual Development/ Character design. I love creating believable characters and worlds for them to live in!

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think tenacity is most important. Starting out, it was hard believing in myself, but I pushed on anyways. Many people saw me fail over and over, but I kept working hard and kept growing. Eventually, people recognized this and wanted to be a part of my journey. I look back now and really believe the struggle was the best part. I encourage everyone to chase their dreams, no matter how silly. I mean- I wanted to make cartoons! Who knew after six years of starting this journey I would be working in a real-life animation studio and have my name in theaters! The journey is far from over though! I still have a lot of work to do!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.erinmcd.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @art_eries
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4S36MIW4Zk

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