Today, we’d like to introduce you to Curtis Sponsler.
Hi Curtis, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I first became enamored with TV/Movies in elementary school – as most kids did back then. But one day, when headed out to recess, I walked past a classroom with a big TV camera pointing out the door. I froze, mesmerized by the camera all the while as the teacher and media specialist frantically waved me on.
At school’s close, I zipped back to that classroom to goggle over this amazing new technology I’d never seen – B&W TV recording to a 1/2″ open-reel tape recorder! Brilliant! I was hooked. I knew that I wanted to work in the medium when I “grew up.”
Several years later, in 1976, I was sitting in an auditorium at a Star Trek convention awaiting the next episode to be shown when a random marketing guy stood before the audience and asked if he could show a preview for a new movie slated to come out next summer: STAR WARS. Being sci-fi nerds, we all shrugged and said, cool.
Then two and a half minutes later there was dead silence as the trailer ended. It felt like an eternity – but then the whole room erupted with shouts of, “AGAIN!!” I knew then that STAR WARS was going to be the biggest movie ever, but I didn’t know how it changed my life.
When STAR WARS opened in 1977, I saw it opening day at 3 PM. Only one theatre showed it in the entire Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. It blew me away (I still have my MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU button from that show). This was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life – make movies!! And special effects.
Jump ahead to today and I’ve been making visual effects, 3D animation, and motion graphics for TV shows, a handful of films, corporate videos, and commercials for nearly 40 years. Yet this is not enough. About 3 years ago, just before I turned 60 years old, I decided it was time for me to return to the path I first pursued – making films of my own.
So I turned to my wife and told her, “I’m going to make a feature film within the next 5 years.” The first stop – a live-action short film. We are just now completing our first short, PICTURE END, and will be entering it to the festival circuit. My intention is to prove that I CAN undertake this enormous responsibility and produce creative entertaining results.
So here I am, a 62-year-old man with a dream of “making the movies” once again swirling about my cranium. At an age when most filmmakers have retired, I’m restarting. When we began the production of our short I asked all the cast & crew to describe themselves with one word. I began by saying, “Audacity.” Seriously, can an old guy out of Miami jump into the exclusive realm of “Hollywood?” Yes. Just watch me.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No road is smooth – potholes and deadens are everywhere. Long ago, I had the opportunity to interview for a position at ILM (Industrial Light & Magic). They flew me out, and the interview process went great – yet I blew it at the very end by being unprepared to answer the simplest question, “What can you do for us?” I choked.
I was so overwhelmed being at my Mecca that I just couldn’t answer with, “Whatever you need.” It was right at the cusp of the digital CGI revolution and I was well-positioned to take on that new paradigm with them. But I said, “I don’t know.” *poof!* However, this unsuccessful moment sent me on a new vector – to be my own animator/VFX artist, which I did for 30+ years.
When making our short, I hit all sorts of obstacles: small crew, limited budget, and massive amounts of self-doubt, which were nearly debilitating. My worst attribute is my terrible lack of confidence. It stems from many origins: family discouragement, limited resources, and a bad case of dyslexia mixed with ADHD and diagnosed OCD with a bunch of anxiety. Yet, I’ve persevered – so perhaps that word best describes me.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
To my constant annoyance, my mother used to call me “a Jack of All Trades – Master of None.” This used to be a source of terrible frustration, but as my career and life progressed, I discovered being JOAT is kinda The GOAT. I love learning new techniques and technologies that further my artistic capabilities.
I adore knowing so many aspects of the production process that I can take on practically any role and do any project. Today, “Generalists” are considered very valued – people who can take on a whole soup-to-nuts task to completion above expectations.
My greatest strengths are in Motion Graphics and Technical 3D Animation. I’m not a character animator (though I have done a few with success) because I enjoy the physical world: technology, engineering, and the universe. So, my work reflects my passion for creating new visions for my clients, helping them convey a clear and compelling message to their audience.
I won an Emmy many years ago for a production opener I created for Sea World. I’m still proud of that award because the project was built mostly by myself. A good friend contributed with textures and some elements, but the concept, modeling, shading, and animation was me.
Most of my projects have been the One Man Band approach, and this is another reason why I wanted to return to making the movies – so I can work with the vast pool of extraordinary talents out there, learn from them, and share my creativity within the greater production community.
Can you talk to us about happiness and what makes you happy?
Thunderstorms. Cats. Sunsets. Sitting before my computer every day creating unique visuals I’ve never seen before. Going to the movies.
Watching Star Wars. Building LEGOs. Helping people in need. Building things from wood, metal, or food. Driving a winding canyon/mountain road in a convertible. Sharing my life with my partner and wife.
All these things touch my creative soul. They remind me that life is the greatest experience I’ve been treated to. They challenge me, entertain me, and ignite my passion. I’m generally a happy person, and that makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.animill.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animill/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curtis.sponsler
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@curtissponsler
- Other: www.picture-end.com
