Nayon and I met on a grueling hike in the French alps after a revelrous week at Annecy International Animation Festival, bonding us in a unique way. I can say for myself, she saw my most bratty, unvarnished self within only hours of meeting, which I can't say for most people! Hear us reminisce.

Nayon Cho is an animation director and artist born in Seoul, based in New York. She uses a technique which combines drawings, photographs, cel and computer animation. Experimenting with timing and abstraction in 2D narratives, her works explore themes of gender dynamics and social conditioning.

Upon graduating from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Film/Animation/Video, her short films and commissioned works have screened internationally in film festivals, like Ottawa International Animation Film Festival, Pictoplasma, Kaboom Animation Festival, and more. Recently her commissioned piece, “Peekaboo,” made for Hulu IDs won a Webby Award for Craft-Best Use of Animation.

She is seeking to collaborate on story-driven projects, she is available for work directing, animating & consulting opportunities.

Links to points of discussion:

• Nayon's website
• Hulu IDs Peekaboo
• Stigma
• Skincrawlies on YouTube
• The Animator's Animations
• Hudson Valley Film Fest
• Hudson Valley Film Fest on Instagram
• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
• The Animator's Playlist
• David De La Fuente's website
• The Animator's Friend on Instagram

The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator in New York City. In this new series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation.

Credits:

• Recorded, produced, edited by India Lombardi-Bello
• Digital marketing assistance by Arnesh Kundu
• Music by Cloutmeyer
• Design and branding by Sawyer Rippon
• Microphones provided by SVA MFA Computer Arts
• Special thanks to Simon Wilches Castro for introducing me and Nayon; Hsiang Chin Moe; Michael Dondero; Malt Adult; and Mom and Dad.