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

Hi James, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I grew up in South Africa nearby Plettenburg bay in the Western Cape, I was always fascinated by animals from the elephants at the Knysna Elephant Park to the baboons that raided farmers crops. I found nature to be incredibly engaging in my younger years. At first I wanted to work with animals as a zookeeper or become a zoologist because I wanted to help the animals we share this planet with.

Eventually, It was my father that actually changed my mind on my originally career choices, because he would tell me
in his words ‘Most people would rather watch Breaking Bad then watch a Drug Documentary’. Which basically means if you want to reach or educate more people, finding an easier way for people to absorb the information.

So I went into animation and studied Technical Art.

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 went to SCAD to study animation, and realized quickly that I wanted to work in 3D animation.

However, I was having trouble picking a discipline because, I wanted to learn modeling, but I also wanted to learn how to animate, I was also too biased when I did projects, because all I wanted to do was make creatures.

So I found a compromise in rigging, where you have to know a bit of both animation and modeling, but it allowed me to work on multiple projects without being too biased towards making creatures, although I still am of course.

I currently work for a company called Twisted Mountain Animation as a rigger

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?
Wake up at 8:30 then go to Georgia Aquarium to go look at some Whale Sharks, Manta Ray’s, Beluga’s with there bebe calf Shila . Eat at the Aquarium, then go to Doraville to eat some Hotpot, ramen or just go live there.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Honestly, it quite simple. Dinosaurs, Mother Nature, IP’s such as Pokemon, and Monster hunter, Re:Zero, Fullmetal Alchemist more Anime etc…

Of course my Mother as well, for giving the opportunity to study Animation

Website: https://www.artstation.com/goldenfoo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-johnson-53a72a169/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.