About the film:
SC: I worked on the film for two semesters (about 7 months). It was all traditionally hand drawn and then edited using Final Cut. There were also various Flash effects involved.

PM:What influenced you to become an animator?
SC:When I was 12 I saw “Beauty and the Beast” in the theater, and call me a girl, but I don't think I blinked once the whole time because I was so involved in the film. Six years later I saw “The Iron Giant” and was completely sold on the incredible art form that made these movies. I love to draw and I really enjoy working on collaborative projects. Animation involves a lot of laughs, entertainment, and inspiration both on and off screen so you can't ask for much more in a career.

PM:Do you have an animation career objective?
SC:The thing that thrills me the most about animation is the ability to use it as a tool for educating and creating awareness all the while entertaining. My ultimate goal is to work on films (short or feature length) and/or television programs where the content teaches as well as give people a moment of enjoyment. Either that or music videos (just to be super-cool.)

PM:What are you most passionate about, animation-wise?
SC:All the drawing. And the people involved.

PM:What do you plan to do with your film?
SC:I feel that I could go back and clean up, polish, and color the whole thing, but on the other hand I've learned what I needed to and it's probably time to move on. I plan to continue submitting it to festivals the way it is and hope that it manages to entertain more people.

PM: What was the biggest lessons you learned during your process?
SC:Pre-production is not the place to skimp on time!

PM: Describe your film's creation process.
SC: A mess. It was my thesis film so I wanted something to showcase my abilities as an animator but also tell a good story from start to finish. Like a lot student filmmakers I had ideas of grandeur and over 6 months developed an idea that I couldn't get to go anywhere. The story changed a week into when animation was supposed to start. Shedding those months of hard work and coming up with the new idea was by far the biggest challenge, but once that happened, everything else fell into place. The original idea was just too much to do in the 3 minute time frame and I kept fighting and fighting a losing battle. Finally I had to start all over and let go of the original plan to make an even better one. It's hard when all you want to do is to jump right into the animation, but planning until you turn blue will make the animation part that much sweeter when it comes.

PM: What do you want your audience to walk away with?
SC: A smile on their face. And the inspiration from the film's protagonist to do what it takes, however ridiculous, to get to where you need to go.

 How to Avoid the Slaughterhouse

Thanks Sabrina! Check out her online portfolio here.