The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is Break the Bias. At Mikros Animation, our ideas and work are constantly pushing the limits of creativity and technology. Our people are no different. In this series, we hear from a few of the many Mikros Animation voices that make up our global team. We know the animation industry is welcoming more women into exciting roles and projects, and we are proud to be a part of the change. We would also like to acknowledge and applaud the trail blazers who have lit the path for others to follow.
We sat down with Anuska Poddar, Senior Artist in our Animation department in Bangalore who shares her experience in the animation industry.
Can you share your story? What was your journey like to get you where you are today?
If I were to name my story, I’d call it “Perseverance”. I have had to take a few breaks in my career, but I have always come back. I am an artist, so in between taking a break and returning to work, there were many sleepless nights to keep my skills sharp, as well as loads of self-motivation. I know whatever curve ball life throws at me I will hit it far beyond any boundary.
What do you love about working in the animation industry?
The one thing I treasure the most in my work is the satisfaction. It is second to none and it is the fuel that keeps me going.
Also, I had the chance to work on very different yet highly-stylized series such as sequels of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Kung Fu Panda, Alvinnn & The Chipmunks – all while being at Mikros Animation. It is very motivating to contribute to bringing so many different stories to life in a variety of styles.
Every project is special. If you had to pick three things that make your current project special, what would it be?
I’m currently working on The Croods: Family Tree that has started to air on Hulu and Peacock. An extension to DreamWorks’s famous franchise, the show tells the story of the Croods and the Betterman’s families who join forces to create a new community and co-op on a farm. What I enjoy on this show are the:
- Cartoony yet realistic animation,
- Very different and wacky characters with which I work,
- Transparency and supportiveness of the team.
In your role, what was your main challenge on the project?
On The Croods: Family Tree, I haven’t faced any technical or artistic challenges as such because when I joined, the project style, pipeline and everything was already set. On one of my previous projects, I was part of the first team to start the new project, which was challenging because we were the first to understand the client requirements and deliver for others to follow. Amidst all the trial and errors, retakes, and feedback, we had our benchmark to hit. That process was very challenging but educational as well.
More globally, one of the challenges that everyone can face in animation is to overcome a certain stagnancy which creeps in every now and then. Be it from a lack of vertical growth or lack of recognition, these can pull us down. Senior artists need something to look forward to!
What is your favorite moment or souvenir of the project?
I received verbal appreciation from a client supervisor and my shot got recommended in a client meeting. It was a happy moment for me!
What are you currently working on (professional or personal life)?
My professional motivation comes from learning a new skill. So, looking at the future of our industry, I am constantly working on acquiring new skills in my free time. We must keep ourselves updated so for me there two ways to do that, either through online courses and videos from various sources and participating in online challenges. I enjoy that a lot, but the lack of time makes it difficult. However, I think these will help me progress in my career path.
Speaking of that, I’d like to wish all the women around me a very happy Women’s Day, and I hope we continue to have each other’s backs and grow together! And good wishes to the men who support us all the way.
Discover more of our team by visiting the Talent Spotlights section our website.
