Meet Geoff Ross | Creative Lead, 2D Animator, Writer

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

Hi Geoff, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I decided to pursue a creative career, because I believe it is what I was always meant to do. I have been artistic for as far back as I can remember, beginning with inspiration from my grandfather, whom I knew as a painter.

Admittedly, I wasn’t always certain about this career path. When the time came to choose a college, I remember my parents giving me the option of attending art school. Believe it or not, my response was to take what I thought would be the safer route and go to a larger school with more options; University at Buffalo, S.U.N.Y. Even though I had an overall positive experience with this choice, my artistic tendencies never left. I majored in Media Study – Production, took as many animation and art courses as I could, and even interned at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art in New York City.

It was obvious that a creative path was the one I was meant to go down, thus driving me to go back to school for a Masters in Fine Arts degree at Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta. I would say this decision was the moment that truly solidified my commitment to the arts, changing my life in a way I never could have imagined. I met all kinds of incredible artists and animators, most of which I still work with today. It was here that I was presented with opportunities I never thought I would have otherwise. It led me to work on several animated projects, most notably the animated sitcom, Archer, produced by Floyd County Productions.

My grandfather was a man whose formative years unfortunately aligned with World War II and rampant antisemitism. So much so, that he even had to change his last name if he wanted any kind of success. He had always wanted to be a commercial artist, but was soon drafted into the war. It was during this time that he worked in radar, giving him the skills to eventually open his own electronics shop in downtown Manhattan. Despite circumstances out of his control, he never let anything stand in the way of his passion for the arts. He would take night classes at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, and continue painting even after having lost both of his legs to diabetes. This was where our journeys overlapped. I only knew my grandfather until the age of five or six, but the impression he left on me will last a lifetime.

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 specialize in 2D animation with proficiency in Adobe After Effects and digital puppet animation. Thanks to this knowledge and experience, I have been able to apply my skills to other programs such as Toon Boom Harmony, and parts of the animation pipeline such as character rigging as well as animation. As a result of my diverse background, spanning from editing to motion graphics and animation, I have been able to pursue more leadership roles, guiding others through animation production pipelines.

I would be truly amazed if there is anyone out there who can say pursuing their career has been easy. Personally, I believe it is the setbacks and unexpected challenges that make people who they are. It has taken many of those for me to gain the mindset that there is no such thing as failure, only learning experiences. Several obstacles have presented themselves along my journey. These have ranged from things like imposter syndrome and rejection, to having to move back in with my parents more than once, along with other personal challenges. Going back to school was no easy feat, as I learned I may be in over my head when seeing the competition. I had taken the illustration test for Floyd County Productions three separate times, before the timing was right for me to join the team. When I was finally hired, there was a death in my family not too long after. On top of this, I have gone many months without work due to regularly scheduled hiatuses or slow times in the industry. I have often been forced to live in uncertainty. Thanks to the support of my family, friends, art community, as well as my own personal reasons for doing what I do, none of these obstacles have stopped me from continuing along my journey.

These days, I have been exploring writing comedic series pitches and scripts as a creative outlet. Pursuing leadership roles has allowed me to gain a new insight into animated productions as a whole, and writing has allowed me to create something truly unique starting from inception. I am a big fan of all things comedy related, and I have a tendency to lean in that direction with my work. During the pandemic, I even submitted 48 cartoons to The New Yorker. None were accepted, but it was a fun, worthwhile experience nonetheless. My willingness to create and put my work out into the world, despite the potential of rejection, has continued to diminish my fear of failure. I believe this continuous practice allows for change in perspective, no matter how small. I continue to educate and immerse myself in the worlds of animation and comedy, looking for new, creative ways to incorporate both into what I produce.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is a great question, as my parents are visiting me again soon and I need to figure out where to take them. Some of my favorite neighborhoods in Atlanta are East Atlanta Village, Midtown, Decatur Square, and Little Five Points. Originally being from Long Island, NY, and growing up just a 50 minute train ride outside of Manhattan, I tend to gravitate toward walkable areas with a lot to do. There is never a shortage of new shops or restaurants to discover along with interesting people to meet.

As you may have gathered, I am a big fan of walking. This is true for hiking and other forms of exercise as well. The Beltline, which has many sections winding through the city, is a convenient path I visit often either on foot or by bicycle. After the show (Archer) myself and the rest of my team had been working on ended after its 14th and final season, we decided to keep in touch by forming a weekly hiking group. Thanks to this idea, we were able to discover new trails all over the city. Some of these trails included Arabia Mountain, Silver Comet Trail, Bamboo Trail, Kennesaw Mountain, Stone Mountain, Sweetwater State Park, the list goes on. If you are willing to make the drive, there is also some great hiking up near Helen, GA, most notably, Anna Ruby Falls.

For tourists who would like more specific locations to visit, I would highly recommend the Georgia Aquarium, High Museum of Art, Botanical Gardens, and Piedmont Park as staples when visiting. From the park, you can head down the Beltline for some great shopping and food at Ponce City Market. You can keep walking, finding more to do along the way, eventually ending up at Krog Street Market.

I could keep going with places to visit in Atlanta, but we would be here all day. These are just some of my favorite areas and things to do around town.

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 would like to recognize my family and friends for always being supportive in my journey towards a creative career. Beginning with my grandfather giving me the initial push I needed at a young age. My parents have always been supportive of my artistic endeavors, providing me with the resources necessary to continue down the path I have chosen. Without my family, I would not have the confidence to pursue the career I am meant for.

I believe the people one surrounds themselves with is just as important as the school they attend, or the job they have. I am grateful for the fact that, dating back to when I was in high school, I would regularly associate with artists, film buffs, and those with an affinity for technology. Obviously, I didn’t know it at the time, but I do believe that even subconsciously, this had a major impact on the fact that I ended up as a digital artist. This trend has continued, as I still find myself in the company of other digital artists following their passions. I am grateful for my friends and colleagues who inspire me to become better everyday and not give up on achieving my goals.

Website: https://www.geoffrossanimation.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grosstoons/

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

Other: https://linktr.ee/grossproductions

Image Credits
Adam Gambrel
Elyse Filigheri
Geoff Ross