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INSIDE Flipbook is our webseries promoting the talented individuals that make the studio so great. From artists to producers, every member of the team brings a unique personality and skillset.
In this edition, we spoke with Flipbook Studio’s 3D Artist, Yuval Turgeman.
When/How did you realise that you wanted to become a 3D artist?
I always knew that I wanted to do something creative, but 3D didn’t cross my mind until I started college. To be honest, I didn’t even know 3D art was a thing back then! The sector in Israel is not well renowned or particularly big, but it has been growing at a steady pace since I started my career.
What motivated you to join Flipbook’s team?
Before moving to Manchester, I did a search for studios in the area and it didn’t take me long to find Flipbook. I was really impressed by their work – both the quality and versatility of the projects appealed to me. The fact that the studio gets through a lot of different projects throughout the year is a welcome plus, it keeps my mind fresh and helps me grow as an artist.
What’s a typical day like in the studio?
I usually start the day by checking my emails to see if there’s any comments on the work I completed the day before. From there, I’ll either apply given feedback on a specific job or continue working on different ones. That may require modeling, texturing, or both.
You guys are currently working on The Slide, a collaboration with Israeli-based The Hive Studio. Does it have a special place in your heart?
It definitely does. I was really excited when the guys over at The Hive approached us with this project. I had worked with them before and they are a great bunch. Uri is a fantastic storyteller, and I think that the movie is a special one – to me and to the whole team. Being a 90s kid from Israel, I can definitely relate to it as it does a great job portraying the atmosphere of the country in that time. It all feels very familiar! I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved so far and I can’t wait for people to see the final product
Having worked in both the UK and Israel, do you notice any differences in the industry?
There aren’t any big differences. I believe that what makes a studio great and different to another are the people in it. The biggest change for me, personally, was the move from a studio that worked on just a couple of large, long-form animation productions a year, to a studio that completes lots of animation and VFX productions throughout the year. I feel being part of this team provides me with more variety and allows me to contribute to more productions.
What other projects did you enjoy working on the most? Why?
Other than ‘The Slide’, my favourite project has got to be the short trailer we did for ‘The Legend of Solgard’. It was a really fun job, with a stylised look to it which I am a big fan of. I loved the creative freedom we had when working on it, you could feel the passion the team had for it.
What tips would you give young digital artists making a start at their career?
To make a career as an artist, digital or not, is not easy. There are a lot of ups and downs, a lot of self-doubt and frustrations. But if you really believe this is what you’re meant to do, don’t give up, push on and believe in yourself. Remember that art only improves the more you do it, so keep on practicing. Always be open to feedback and keep creating the art that makes you happy.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I want to get better at what I do, to the point where I can look back at my old work and see all the things I could do better now. I hope to improve in both digital and traditional art, and just be a better artist overall.