Meet Nick Kilislian of Dream Lab I.P. Factory

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Kilislian.

Nick, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was lucky enough to be born during the greatest generation of Saturday morning cartoons. Some of my fondest memories of the 80’s include hours of watching Superhero cartoons or shows like Thunder Cats, Transformers and He-Man. These inspired my desire to be constantly behind my pencil, sketching favorite characters I had seen on television. Fast forward 30 plus years where I now find myself in a position that allows me to give back as a professional character designer for animated shows as well as work as a comic book creator. I feel genuinely fortunate in saying that I get to draw every day for a living.

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?
I don’t think there is such a thing as a smooth road in life and art is no exception. Some of the biggest struggles for me include trying to support a family and accepting work that is not inspiring or unchallenging. I also feel that every artist lives with doubt and insecurity. I guess it is those that can handle the criticism and be genuine in their search for improvement that has a real chance at being professional. Above all, the most difficult thing is to find a visual voice that is genuinely yours and not just a rip off from all your favorite artists. This is what takes the most time and can’t be faked. If I can give advice, is to not shy away from life drawing as I have found it to be a constant ally in my journey as a visual artist.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Dream Lab I.P. Factory – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I have recently helped to co-found Dream Lab I.P. Factory which specializes in the development of intellectual properties for television shows, feature films, web series, and comic books, with a primary focus on animation for children of all ages. The goal of our laboratory of creative thinkers and talented artists is to create exciting new worlds filled with unforgettable characters whose stories become as cherished as those we knew and loved growing up. Casa Nostra, our first graphic novel published in 2017 by Udon Entertainment, has recently been optioned for film/tv. We are excited about the future of this company and hope we can bring something interesting to the table.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Having worked on a graphic novel for a good length of time, I look forward to tackling new and exciting characters and worlds in both the comic book and animation industry. We are currently working on three separate properties that we are aiming to get launched within the year.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.dreamlabip.com/
• Email: Contact : [email protected]
• Instagram: nickkilislian
• Twitter: @Nickkilislian

Image Credit:
Chris Sarracini

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