Erica Hayes

Executive Producer and Director | Currently at Netflix!

[e-22912]

Bloodridge Battle was some good bonding time

[ehayes87]

rick's love for BP was romantic right? am i interpreting that correctly?

I'm getting this question a lot, so I'll say that that's the way I interpreted it, but the writers would have the official answer on that!

[ehayes87]

Next week’s Rick and Morty is a special one. Don’t miss it! ;)

[ehayes87]

(Actually, the last three are all special. Starting with Sunday the 8th. Oh boy, oh boy!)

[ehayes87]

Next week’s Rick and Morty is a special one. Don’t miss it! ;)

[ehayes87]

Wait, you’ve DIRECTED Rick and Morty? How have I only heard about this now (for context, I have been following you for a long time).

Hm well to be fair to you, I only started directing with season 4, and I haven't been all that active on here in a while!

[ehayes87]

Rick and Morty time is here agaiinnnnn, did everybody enjoy the premiere?

[kriiistinuhh]

More season 5 sneak peak shots 😭😭 I’m so excited

[struggling-author]

remember that weird overly sexual dragon episode in rick and morty? in the german version they titled it “how to shame your dragon“ xD

[ehayes87]

Are you done with R&M? Either way, looking forward to seeing your work on Fairfax and other shows you may be working on!

I’m unfortunately missing out on Rick and Morty season 6, as I’m currently deep into a new project at Netflix (which I’m sooo excited about!!), but I wish the whole crew the absolute best of luck and hope I can return for a future season. And I will definitely be watching!! <3

[ehayes87]

Some of my storyboards from an episode I directed, Star Mort: Rickturn of the Jerri!

[ehayes87]

Hi ! I recently started a job as lead animator for a french animated series and I have a lot of stuff to do and a lot of pressure on me, I made character/props designs and right now I'm making a storyboard for one episode. It's my first "real" job in animation, I was a freelance artist and I'm not used to have people depending on me and I feel a bit like a fraud haha. I just wanted to tell you that I find your work and career really inspiring and I hope I may be as good as you are one day ! :)

How sweet, thank you!

Also, feeling like a fraud is totally normal. Look up Neil Gaiman’s words on Imposter Syndrome. All artists suffer from it. You are NOT a fraud! :)

[ehayes87]

Are there remote storyboarding and animation opportunities available for those of us who live away from the studios, or are those jobs strictly on-site?

All of animation is currently working remotely, but I cannot say for sure what the future will look like. Some studios may be more open to continuing that way than others.

[ehayes87]

If you can’t afford to go to art school but you REALLY want to learn the art of storyboarding so you can build a strong portfolio, I highly suggest purchasing and reading these books:

Film Directing Shot By Shot: Visualizing From Concept To Screen by Steven D. Katz

and

The Five C’s of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques by Joseph V. Mascelli

[ehayes87]

Remember: storyboarding is equal parts understanding cinematography AND drawing skill! Follow these three steps to be a great candidate for this field:

1. Hone your drawing skill by practicing, practicing, practicing. Draw from life when you can. Practice different styles (fan art is great for this!) Train your eye and your hand to draw fast and gestural, while still communicating what you’re drawing clearly.

2. Learn perspective! At least two point. I cannot stress how important this is. Drawing skill is useless without this foundation, and we will look for accurate perspective in your portfolios. There are many tutorials on youtube!

3. Read the above books and understand the art of storytelling through film. Learn the dos and don’ts of cinematography. Watch your favorite shows and movies and take notice of these practices in action.

[ehayes87]

If you can’t afford to go to art school but you REALLY want to learn the art of storyboarding so you can build a strong portfolio, I highly suggest purchasing and reading these books:

Film Directing Shot By Shot: Visualizing From Concept To Screen by Steven D. Katz

and

The Five C’s of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques by Joseph V. Mascelli

[ehayes87]

How do you feel about people who want to get into animation, but dropped out of college? I was in school for animation, but I dropped out for a multitude of reasons. Animating is my dream, or at the very least being a storyboard artist. But I feel like I won't be able to make it unless I go back to school, which is difficult right now.

I no longer believe that going to college is necessary to work in animation. I have heard time and time again that recruiters don’t care where you went to school or what degree you have. They care about one thing and one thing only: skill.

[ehayes87]

I've been drawing since I was 8 and I'm 36 years old. Is it too late to try and become an animator?

It’s never too late.

[ehayes87]

Following up with: we need you. We need ALL of you. The animation industry is exploding right now and soon there won’t be enough artists to meet demand.

[ehayes87]

I've been drawing since I was 8 and I'm 36 years old. Is it too late to try and become an animator?

It’s never too late.