Aug 12, 2013 8 Questions With: Eoin Duffy
This week, we got to chat with accomplished Vancouver-based animator Eoin Duffy. He’s behind an upcoming release called The Missing Scarf, which happens to be narrated by none other than George Takei. Eoin’s work also includes On Departure, a journey based on the loss of his younger brother Emmet, which achieved Vimeo’s esteemed Staff Pick seal of approval. Formally trained in Graphic Design, he taught himself animation by “messing around” with applications like Flash and Blender 3D. The messing around has paid off, with Eoin having reached a point in his career where clients contact him for projects they’d like him to work on. He and his crew had George Takei at the top of their list of narrators for The Missing Scarf, and they were pleasantly surprised when George loved the script and the animation, agreeing to join the team. The film recently won The James Horgan Award for Best Animation at Ireland’s leading film festival, the Galway Film Fleadh. Eoin was kind enough to take the time to tell us a little about his career, his recent projects, and his latest work.
What are you currently working on?
I’m working on an explainer video for The University of California. This October they’re launching a crowd sourcing platform to raise funds for scholarships for students in need. Can’t really say too much on the project until it goes live.
How would you describe your job?
Less than a year ago, I left my graphic design job to pursue animation. So far its been pretty new and all pretty damn rewarding. I love working for myself. I’ve even enjoyed the steep learning curve when it comes to budgeting, organizing and scheduling; and all the mistakes I’ve made along the way.
What does your average work day look like?
I wake up, cycle downtown to my office in Gastown, Vancouver, answer emails, send my bank details to Nigeria, have a gawk around Vimeo, peruse the Twittersphere, check in with my mate Jamie (as we collectively write and storyboard all commercial projects), and then I use what little time is left in my day to animate.
Where do you find inspiration?
I guess we’ve all compounded our sources of inspiration throughout our lives. As a kid, it was Disney cartoons, as a teenager I drew inspiration from Renaissance art history and comic books, throughout college I was obsessed with Mid-Century Swiss graphic design, and lately it’s whatever catches my eye on the endless abyss of inspiration that is the world wide web. Mainly Vimeo.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grow up?
I never had a clear answer back then, nor do I now. I could lie and say an “animator” to create closure, but I won’t. I guess I always had an urge to travel and see as much of the world as I could. So for a good few years I dedicated myself to this, working any crappy job I could find and saving enough money to travel further and further.
What are you reading at the moment?
This question.
What’s the best thing about living and working in Vancouver?
As overstated as it is, Vancouver is a pretty spectacular corner of the Earth. More trees, bears, mountains, fish and outdoor stuff than 10 Daniel Boones could handle.
What’s your favorite post-work destination?
Home, you can’t beat home.
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