Meet Robert Paraguassu | Animator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Robert Paraguassu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Robert, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

Taking risks is everything as an artist. Risk lead to both failure and success, both are necessary. If your art doesn’t make you a little nervous or scared, it isn’t going to work.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I try to always do something positive with my work, something that helps people one way or another.

I started out wanting to be an animator. I’ve known since I was twelve-years old that’s what I wanted to do. Instead of writing essays, I would turn in VHS stop motion projects on the subjects. Animation has been my favorite thing for a long time.

CalArts rejected me, so I went to Georgia State University to learn filmmaking. I went on full scholarship and got my Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in Film/Video Production. It was an amazing experience, and I learned a lot, but not much about animation directly. Film School taught me about cinematography, editing, lighting, story-telling, but nothing about how to make cartoons.

After graduation I began to seriously teach myself animation, and attempt to get a job. Bark-Bark hired me as a motion graphics designer and live-action art director, so I split my time between set design and 3D animation. The projects there were so varied, different skills were needed every other week, so I had to keep learning. That’s always my favorite kind of job, where my skills need to be continuously honed and added to.

I was asked to come work on FX’s Archer at Floyd County Productions as a character animator on the third season. They didn’t have an in-house 3D department at the time, so during that third season I helped them build it. I was given the 3D Animation Director title and slowly grew my team from one to twelve people over the years. We handled all the car chases, explosions, and built environment renders for the background painting team to paint over. I was there for six years, worked on five seasons of Archer, as well as several other series and pilot episodes. We won an Emmy while I was there for Outstanding Animated Series.

I left Floyd County when I felt it was time, and went on to other projects. I worked in Portland, Oregon for a while before realizing Atlanta is where I belong.

I currently work full-time at Georgia State University as an animator for course content. It’s extremely rewarding working in Education, knowing that my animations are helping people learn and grow. It’s also a relaxed working environment with job stability and good benefits – not something found easily in the Animation World.

I’m most excited about my “Street Soup” cartoon project right now. It’s a weekly animated series I make in my free-time and post to social media, making silly nonsense with my comedian friends, trying to say something meaningful and engaging.

Animation is a constantly evolving medium, and I push myself to learn more and get better every day. It’s still my favorite thing to do – the perfect combination of all the art forms.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

On Monday night we’ll go to see the Coalition DJ’s New Music Monday, a weekly showcase where up-and-coming rappers perform for a panel of ATL DJ’s who comment and critique.

Tuesday we’ll go to JeJu, the Korean health spa in Gwinnett. We’ll soak in hot tubs, sweat in saunas, eat Bibimbap, and nap in warm meditation rooms. Just get super relaxed.

Wednesday night is the Improv Comedy Jam at Bibliotech in Candler Park. This amazing used/rare bookstore is home to weekly public improv jams, where anyone who shows up can perform with an improv team if they want. I go every week.

Thursday night is Kick the Ladder! A filmmaking competition, where every week small teams are given random prompts from which to create a one-minute short film. My best friend and I would go to the Thursday night screening, watch everyone’s submissions, and get the prompt for next week.

Friday, we’ll make a one-minute movie based on the prompt.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I wouldn’t be where I am without a lot of support and kindness from a lot of people. At Georgia State University I need to shout out Sheldon Schiffer and Mat Munson, at Bark-Bark – Brian Tolleson, at Floyd County – Matt Thompson, Neal Holman, Chad Hurd, Bryan Fordney and my entire 3D team, at TRICK3D a- Chad Eikoff and Fatimah Abdullah, Shadowmachine – Alex Bulkley and Angie Izqueirdo, The Roach Motel and Rich Graham. My friends Spencer Lowell, Frankie Mendoza, Paul Keen, Michele Clark, and Matt Hunt. My life partner Kara Strauss and my daughter Hattie Bee. There are so many more, but that’s a good list.

Instagram: @street.soup.content

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertparaguassu/

Youtube: @streetsoup

Other: TikTok – @streetsoup