2013 Graduate Aaron Long Visits MTM
Director of BoJack Horseman offers valuable advice to MTM students
Aaron Long, Canadian animator and filmmaker, well known as a director on BoJack Horseman (Netflix), was in Toronto in early November to make an appearance at TAAFI INDUSTRY 2019‘s 2-day event, which offers exclusive talks from top animation artists and creators.
TAAFI INDUSTRY 2019
At TAAFI, Aaron spoke about his career starting as an intern for the Chuck Grammage studio with little experience and a ton of passion, through to his current work as a director for Bojack Horseman and Tuca & Bertie with Netflix. He also discussed how animation isn’t just for cartoons, as new streaming services start to take animation seriously. And the ins and outs on crafting your ideas for a primetime world. And lastly was the judge on a pitching competition.
Aaron Long’s Alma Mater
Aaron Long is a 2013 MTM graduate. We were thrilled when he reached out to say he’d love to drop by to say hi, and talk to the students about his work!
As part of his presentation, Aaron showed fascinating behind-the-scene clips from BoJack Horseman and other programs he’s worked on (like the fabulous Tuca & Bertie) and gave students insight into what working on these productions was like. He shared the story of how his career in animation launched. And he emphasized the importance (and challenges) of continuing to develop his personal work while working on other projects.
MTM students express their happiness at getting to meet Aaron Long during his November 6 visit.
Our students were inspired by his humility, the information he shared, and his love of traditional animation. He spoke about the inspiration he got from History of Animation, a first-year course at MTM, and his love of using physical movement, attitude, and timing to tell a story. He also highlighted the importance of life-drawing and other fundamental drawing skills he learned at MTM to his work.
Aaron Long created “Fester Fish” while still a student at MTM College of Animation, Art, and Design. A producer in LA who saw his YouTube channel discovered and contacted him.
A standing-room-only audience during Aaron Long’s visit to MTM.
Aaron Long enjoyed catching up with MTM Co-Directors Tina Seemann and Maxine Schacker during his November 6 visit.
Thanks for the visit, Aaron! Please come back soon.
Aaron Long is an animator and filmmaker from Toronto. He currently lives in Los Angeles, and has directed for Bojack Horseman, Tuca & Bertie, Triptank and more. He also creates independent cartoons Sublo & Tangy Mustard and Fester Fish which appear online and in festivals around the world.
Want to learn more about Aaron Long? Check out his work here, or visit his IMBD page.