Page 8 - Allisons Magazine Issue #95
P. 8

to take the existing script, listen to the
           LIZ CLIMO                                                                                                             audio, and try and come up with the
                                                                                                                                 funniest (or most successful) way for the
                                                                                                                                 character to act out the line.
           ON COMICS,                                                                                                            That’s pretty big. Why did you


                                                                                                                                 decide to move on from the show?
                                                                                                                                 After working on The Simpsons for
           CRITICISM, AND                                                                                                        thirteen years, I left my job in 2017.

                                                                                                                                 It was a great run, but I felt like it was
                                                                                                                                 time for me to focus more on my own
           BEING KIND                                                                                                            work. Plus, my job didn’t really involve
                                                                                                                                 writing, which is partially why I decided
                                                                                                                                 to leave. I wanted to attempt some jokes!
                                                                                                                                 I feel really lucky that I was able to work
           Beloved cartoonist Liz Climo                                                                                          there for so long—I learned a lot and
                                                  interview with liz climo                                                       made a lot of lifelong friends.
           was studying art in college when    written by shelley goldstein

           she changed course and applied
                                                                                                                                 Did you hide anything in any of your
           for a job at The Simpsons.                                                                                            last animations just for fun?
                                                                                                                                 We aren't really allowed to sneak stuff
           This decision would lead to a
                                                                                                                                 into the show since there are so many
           fulfilling thirteen-year stint on the
                                                                                                                                 eyes on it throughout the process—you
           überpopular television series. After                                                                                  usually get found out! I did occasionally
           leaving The Simpsons, Climo has                                                                                       try to draw family members or friends   with an idea or I’m not sure if it's   How do you feel about
                                                                                                                                 into crowd scenes, but most of the time   successful or not, he's usually the one I   constructive criticism?
           found continued success through
                                                                                                                                 those got changed down the production   ask, although I'm at a point now where   It's not my favorite [laughs], but having
           her witty, relatable animal comics                                                                                    line. I have a lot more creative freedom   I trust my own instincts. I've noticed   worked for so long as an animator, I'm
           and children’s books.                                                                                                 working in publishing, which is really   that my first idea is usually what works,   not one to get super attached to my
                                                                                                                                 great for me at this point in my career.   and the more I overthink something, the   work. In college, I had a teacher tell
                                                                                                                                                                     more likely it is to fall apart. If I find I'm   me once, “Imagine spending hours on
           What does the trajectory of your                                                                                      How did your animal cartoons        overthinking an idea, I usually let it go.   a project and being really proud of it.
           career look like? Did you study art                                                                                   begin? Who do you trust to give     Perhaps it’s a strange way to approach   Now imagine ripping it up and starting
           in school?                                                                                                            honest feedback about them?         things, but it works for me.        over. That's what animation is like.” He
           I studied art at San Jose State University.                                                                           I started doing cartoons as a side project                              wasn't wrong. When it comes to my
           I was working toward a BFA in                                                                                         (again, to have something that was just   Why did you specifically choose   books, if something isn't working or
           animation and illustration, but when I                                                                                mine to work on in my free time). I   animals as the subject of your    something needs to be changed, it’s no
           applied to the program I didn't get in.                                                                               began to post them to Tumblr as an   cartoons, rather than people?      big deal. I'll start over. When it comes
           I would have had to wait an entire year   © Emma Goo Photography                                                      exercise in accountability. I wanted   The short answer: I don't really like   to my comics, I'm a bit more protective.
           before I could apply again, and I wasn't                                                                              to really put my work out there even   drawing people! After working on The   Those are more personal to me.
           allowed to take any of the classes until   I credit my obsession with the show   What was your day-to-day             if nobody ever saw it or did see it   Simpsons for so many years, it's
           I got in (which was not guaranteed).   throughout high school and college for   contribution to The Simpsons?         and really didn't like it. I was never   difficult for me to draw any person not   I did a lot of Google searching to
           Instead, I applied for a job at The   helping me land a job there. I didn't   I started out as a character layout artist   expecting so many wonderful things to   Simpson-y. It was much easier to find my   figure out the name of one of your
           Simpsons and was actually hired. I was   have any experience animating at the   and eventually became a storyboard    come from that.                     own style drawing animals. The longer   frequent cartoon animals—the frill-
           offered the job on a Friday afternoon,   time, but I could draw well enough to   revisionist. Both jobs involved helping                                  answer is that it's easier to come up with   necked lizard. What makes him such
           moved to Los Angeles over the weekend,   get by, and I was really familiar with the   come up with the best acting for a   My husband, Colin, is also an artist, and   jokes and funny situations with animals,   a good character?
           and started the job on Monday. I never   style of the show. I was lucky, but I also   particular character, which I would then   he always gives me his honest opinion,   since they're all so different, as are their   Edwin! This character is based on my
           graduated college.                  worked really hard.                 draw or animate. My job was essentially       which I appreciate. If I'm struggling   relationships with one another.   dear friend Edwin Aguilar, who is




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