Hello Reader 👋
The past few days have been a whirlwind of boxes, bubble wrap, and half-packed suitcases. We’re almost there — the apartment is nearly empty, the studio is dismantled, and I’m writing this from the kitchen table, somewhere between a a bag filled of my son's meals and his milk supply for 2 months in Bali.
Right now, I’m testing out my makeshift Bali setup — a MacBook Pro on a beautiful new stand from Ugreen (seriously, it’s a piece of design art).
This is the calm before the next adventure.
But amidst the packing chaos, something truly amazing happened: our first office hours with the Animator NOW beta community 2 days ago.
And wow.
I couldn’t have hoped for a better group. These animators — some just starting out, others with years under their belt — brought so much heart, honesty, and excitement. Hearing them share their journeys, their struggles, their wins… it reminded me why we’re building this in the first place.
This isn’t just a product. It’s a home for curious, creative, resilient minds.
We talked about animation education — and about the paths less traveled. Not everyone dreams of climbing the studio ladder. Some want to tell their own stories, in their own voice, on their own terms. And we spoke honestly about how, sometimes, to make room for that voice, you may have to step away from the big studios. Because while they offer stability and scale, they don’t always leave space for deep personal expression — at least not the kind that leads to directing your own film.
It was refreshing, inspiring even, to see that many in the group aren’t chasing the traditional dream. They’re exploring new ways to make a living with their craft. Teaching. Freelancing. Building their own IPs. It already felt like a small, thoughtful community — one rooted in passion, not prestige.
So to our beta group: thank you. For your trust, your feedback, and your open hearts.
And also — a big milestone: Episode 1 of the Animator NOW Podcast is live 🎉
It’s not on podcast platforms just yet (it might pop up during today), but it is up on YouTube. And it’s a good one. A raw, honest, beautiful conversation with my friend Patrick Giusiano — lead animator at DreamWorks.
We talk about everything:
• His career journey (from Europe to Hollywood)
• The struggles of moving a whole family overseas
• And he even breaks down shots from Epic, The Wild Robot, and Kung Fu Panda 4.
If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to walk the animator path, this one’s for you.
As summer unfolds, updates might slow down a bit. I need a little rest too — this year has asked a lot from every part of me. But I’m not disappearing. Just breathing, so we can keep building with joy.
This is our second issue for the summer edition. The beginning of something slower. Softer. Still full of spark ✨
Let’s dive in.
⚡Don’t forget — I'm launching the Animator NOW community on October 1st and the first 25 Founding Members will lock in a lifetime discounted price, no matter how the pricing evolves.
Want in? The link to join the waitlist is just below.
🚀 Join the Waitlist
-Philippe