It takes an army to make a filmespecially an animated film in which every aspect is made from scratch.
And contemporary animation is often tied to the technology behind it.
Overseeing much of the research and development that bolstered the unique look of Big Hero 6 is Hank Driskill.
What does a technical supervisor do?
What version of Linux?
I assume you’re using Linux because of software related to the production?
Big Hero 6 was made on el64.
What apps, software, or tools can’t you live without?
A lot of our jobs are communication and coordination.
What’s your workspace setup like?
About a 50/50 split between computer graphics books and toys and action figures fill my whole office.
Other than those… two computers sharing two monitors, standing desk, chairs and couch for informal meetings.
:)
What’s your best time-saving shortcut or life hack?
What’s your favorite to-do list manager?
I keep my notes and todo lists inNotabilityon my iPad, synced to Dropbox.
Why Notability, as opposed to other note taking apps?
Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can’t you live without and why?
I’m constantly on phone, tablet and computer.
For my free time?
PS4 and Apple TV.
:)
What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else?
What’s your secret?
I’m good at juggling lots of technical thoughts…
I’ve just always been good at keeping lots of thoughts going at once.
What do you listen to while you work?
Usually silence… sometimes I’ll get in a mood and listen to alternative or classical.
What are you currently reading?
My weekly stack of comics…
I read 30+ comics per week.
Now I’m in mourning.
Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
What’s your sleep routine like?
I sleep about four hours per night, usually midnight to 4am or so.
Do you even maintain that four hour sleeping schedule when not working?
I do… it’s just how I’m wired.
I sleep midnight-4am even on weekends.
:)
Fill in the blank: I’d love to see _________ answer these same questions.
Joe Quesada, Marvel’s CCO.
You work with both very artistic people, as well as very technical people.
Does the way you communicate change when you’re talking with different departments?
How are the creative challenges of making an animated film different from the technical challenges?
From the technical side, our job is one of optimization, a lot of the time.
It’s rarely in conflict, though.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
When you enter a new work environment, make friends with the administrative assistants first.
They can make your life MUCH easier or MUCH harder.
Is there anything else you’d like to add that might be interesting to readers and fans?
I own 30,000+ comics.
Big Hero 6 was a dream project for me, hope people like it!
Have someone you want to see featured, or questions you think we should ask?Email Andy.
Images courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures.
