Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcelo Bonifacio.
Marcelo, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am originally from Cordoba, Argentina and I arrived at LAX almost 20 years ago with a duffel bag and a three month Waiver Visa. I had no relatives, no apartment, not even a car. I only knew one person, a friend from my hometown (who arrived a month earlier). He is the one who was waiting for me outside of the LAX terminal to pick me up. I still remember waiting for him to take me to his car, instead he walked me directly to the bus stop for the Blue Line to Venice Beach. We took the bus to Venice and took up residence in a creepy youth hostel. Then 9/11 happened and overnight the world changed. Because everything suddenly changed, I ended up overstaying my visa.
Finding work was difficult then. I had to take on a gruelling construction job. I worked doing hard labor for about 3 years until I got a proper visa. Once I got the visa it still wasn’t easy. But my time doing construction led me to meet a guy who wanted to do a startup selling high end homes in Venice. He needed someone to help make visual presentations. I have a background in industrial design and knew how to design and use 3D software so it was a natural fit. I then worked in an architecture office, designing interiors and creating 3D visualization for wealthy clients. I eventually became so good at it I ended up getting more work at an even larger architecture firm, creating visualization for crazy malls and amusement parks in the middle east.
Things were great until the Great Recession of 2008 hit. I and a lot of other people lost their jobs. At the time my wife had a pretty stable gig so she encouraged me to take some classes. I had alway wanted to go back to school, only now the career I had picked had evolved into something no one was looking for. If I wanted to pursue Industrial Design it would mean taking out a huge loan and going to Art Center, which was just too expensive. While on the Art Center Tour we came across some talented work and someone mentioned Gnomon. On a whim I decided to look into it and was blown away by the work I saw. So I signed up for a class and loved it and then entered the Maya Fast Track. I figured I already knew 3D Studio Max and maybe Maya could help me find work in entertainment. While at Gnomon I met Vince Toyama. He had had a background in architecture too. We clicked and when Vince landed a gig on Transformers Prime, ( the tv animated show) he thought of me and brought me on. I am so grateful he did this because it brought me to where I am now.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all. It has been a long road with a lot of ups and downs, multiple layoffs, uncertainty and mostly dealing with the anxiety of choosing an unconventional career. In my wildest dream, I never imagined to make a living off disciplines related to the entertainment industry. But when I look back, I am glad things happened the way they did. For the last ten years, I have had the privilege to find work in the animation industry. I reached the place I am right now, due to the universe steering me in this direction.
Please tell us more about your art.
I have a strong technical background from working in industrial design. This strong foundation allows me to create environments that take the audience to places which are new and feel familiar at the same time. I love researching and am constantly drawing and writing little post-it notes to myself. I am an avid sketcher and find inspiration in the most mundane of things. I believe my background in industrial design has helped me greatly because I know how things are put together and how they function. I am obsessive and enjoy creating something to the most minute detail because it helps with enhancing the story or the idea behind the visual.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think Los Angeles is one the places with the greatest art communities in this country. You can find all sorts of talented people, from video game developers , costume designers, car designers and fine artists. And while it is hard to find your niche and make a living off your passion in such an expensive city, I am happy to be here, carving my place.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.marcelobonifacio-animation.com/
- Phone: 3107135202
- Email: marceloabonifaci@gmail.com
Image Credit:
the Images Belongs to Hasbro and MB design and Visualization.
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