Gregory Culp (BA ’06) has worked on some of the world’s most beloved movies as a lighting and compositing artist including Disney’s Frozen, Tangled, Wreck it Ralph, and Big Hero 6. A graduate of the Fine Arts with Digital Imaging Specialization from the University of Waterloo, Gregory has built an impressive career for himself, working in some of the top animation studios in the world including Sony and Disney.
Alumni Relation’s had the chance to catch up with Gregory and talk about life after Waterloo and working at Disney Animation.
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Can you describe what it is like working in lighting for Sony and Disney animation, working on some of the most loved movies in the world?
It's a dream come true. I grew up watching all the classic animated films over and over again, and through Disney Animation's renaissance, was spoiled seeing Lion King and Aladdin, etc., on the big screen as soon as they came out. I remember those films just transporting me into this whole other world, and I just wanted to be a part of it. Knowing that what I work on could affect someone in the same way, is pretty special.
What was your favourite project to work on and why?
I think every show that I’ve worked on at Disney has been really special in its own way. Currently I would have to say Frozen or Feast. When I was first hired at Disney Animation for Tangled, I saw a quick art direction pitch from Michael Giaimo (art director) for a film based on the Snow Queen, and instantly fell in love with the world. It wouldn’t be until 3 years later, that I would get the chance to work on it, but it was worth the wait. Most of my favourite work that I’ve done so far has come from Frozen. I got to work on Olaf’s song, Love is an Open Door, Do you want to build a Snow Man, and the magical landscape where you first meet Olaf, to name a few.
Can you tell us about your journey from UWaterloo to working in some of the world’s top animation studios?
I actually started in the Computer Science program at Waterloo. It wasn't until about 2 years into the program that I made the difficult decision to switch into Fine Arts. I realized that in those first 2 years, my favourite classes and the ones I looked forward to going to every week, were all Fine Arts. When I found out that there was a digital imaging stream in Fine Arts from Doug Kirton, and I could combine my love for computers and art, I was sold.
After that I did a 1 year computer animation program with Sheridan and I was able to land my first full time job in the industry at Starz Animation. After a few more career moves, I was able to land an interview with Disney. The following year I found myself working on Tangled as a lighting ATD and over the years worked my way up through the lighting department to where I am today. Next year I’ll be starting as a lighting supervisor on Moana, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker the same directors of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin.
Can you tell us about the creative process when working on a film, and what goes into creating the characters?
Research, and lots of it. On Frozen, a team went out to Norway to collect reference photographs and research the culture. With all this knowledge gathered, they can then start putting together their fictitious world and characters, but make it believable, and something the audience will understand and hopefully love. In lighting, we had a small trip to a studio where we photographed large ice blocks and how they react to light. We have to take note of the texture, color, density, how reflective/refractive it is, caustics, etc.
What would you say is the best part of working in animation? Most challenging?
For me, the best part of being a lighter is that we come up with the final frame that you will see up on the screen. It all kinda comes together in our department, and it feels really rewarding seeing the finished frame. With light and color you can control where your eye goes on the screen, and how you feel about the image. The most challenging part is probably the deadlines.
Was there anything or anyone during your time at Waterloo that influenced you into getting where you are today?
I think if it wasn’t for Doug Kirton and his Digital Imaging classes that he was teaching Houdini in, I never would have gotten to where I am today. It was his classes that got me excited about the digital arts and CG in general, that I switched from Computer Science and went into Fine Arts. Another huge influence in getting to where I am during my time at Waterloo, is my wife. We first met at Conrad Grebel. I still remember the day when I finished one of my computer animation assignments, and she saw it and said, maybe one day you will be working for Disney. I laughed it off of course, especially since the animation was of dancing storm troopers, which is pretty embarrassing to even bring that back up, but the point is, she believed in me, and pushed me to go after my dreams.
What advice do you have for young graduates hoping to pursue a similar career path?
Try to understand early what you are the strongest in and most passionate about and go after it. In animation there are quite a few different areas or departments to specialize in. Keep an eye out for internships and apprentice programs.
