Animation Happy Hour

Garrett Lewis, Katie Low, Ben Girmann

Animation Happy Hour is a monthly podcast hosted by three feature film animators - Garrett Lewis, Katie Low, and Ben Girmann. Our podcast mission is to provide practical advice for students, job-seekers, and animation enthusiasts on how to break into all aspects of the animation industry.

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33 episodes
Updated Jul 1, 2025

Episodes33

Newest first

Nov 1, 2020 · 2 hr 53 min
#13 - Work Life Balance
Can I work in the animation industry and have a normal life? What if I want to have a family? Is the industry all just all-nighters and unpaid overtime? We are pleased to announce that in episode 13, we sit down with married couple and industry veterans R
Oct 1, 2020 · 2 hr 45 min
#12 - Day In The Life: Production Management
We're starting off our Day in the Life series with a bang! Production management professionals are intricately involved with every single step of the pipeline, from initial development all the way to image finaling and marketing, so we could not imagine a
Sep 1, 2020 · 2 hr 1 min
#11 - Which Job in CG Feature Animation Is Right for You?
In episode 11, we sit down and give an overview of the entire CG pipeline. Sip on a glass of pipe-wine and find out where you fit in!
Aug 1, 2020 · 2 hr 58 min
#10 - Is Art School Worth It?
Are online schools better than brick & mortar schools? Is art school worth the money? In episode 10 we sit down with animators Laura han and Joe Holmark and compare all of the options.
Jul 1, 2020 · 2 hr 10 min
#9 - Quarantine Q&A
Does the animation industry suck? How do you “practice” animating? What is life like in LA? In Episode 9 - Quarantine Q&A, we sit down and answer fifteen of our listeners’ top questions.
Jun 1, 2020 · 2 hr 20 min
#8 - Let's Talk Money
In Episode 8, we tackle one of the industry’s most delicate subjects. Listen and learn about student loans, wage negotiation, and more! Disclaimer that we aren’t financial experts, but we aim to share the knowledge we have acquired over the years.
May 1, 2020 · 2 hr
#7 - Applying to Jobs
In Episode 7 of the Animation Happy Hour, Garrett, Katie, and Ben cover the ins and outs of applying to jobs! We discuss everything from networking, cover letters/resumes, interviews, negotiations, and more! We know this task can seem a little daunting,
Apr 1, 2020 · 1 hr 12 min
#6 - Indie Content & Going Viral
In Episode 6 of the Animation Happy Hour, we sit down with Josh Slice, feature film animator and creator of the viral YouTube series Lucas The Spider! We talk about independent content, making money outside the studio system, and the pros and cons of goi
Mar 1, 2020 · 1 hr 9 min
#5 - Setbacks and Rejections
In Episode 5, we discuss the setbacks and rejections we have experienced throughout our careers. We emphasize that rough periods which feel like failures in the moment can turn out to be temporary setbacks in the long run.
Feb 1, 2020 · 1 hr 41 min
#4 - Demo Reels with Guillermo Careaga
In Episode 4, we interview DreamWorks lead animator Guillermo Careaga about his top 10 tips for animation demo reels. We cover a wide range of questions pertaining to demo reels including: Does it matter what rig I use in my animations? How should I ord
Dec 21, 2019 · 1 hr 21 min
#3 - Visas and Working Abroad with Paula Benedicto Martinez
in Episode 3, we interview Paula Benedicto Martinez, a feature film animator from Spain. We discuss moving to the US for the Walt Disney Animation Studios Apprentice Program, visas, Paula’s workflow and the best advice she’s ever received.
Dec 21, 2019 · 1 hr 27 min
#2 - Things We Wish We Knew in School
In Episode 2, We discuss the top ten things that we wish we knew when we were in animation school. Topics covered include: specialization, on-campus recruiting, personal finance, CTN Animation Expo, and more.
Dec 21, 2019 · 40 min
#1 - What is The Animation Happy Hour?
In our very first episode of the Animation Happy Hour podcast, our three hosts Garrett Lewis, Katie Low, and Ben Girmann introduce the mission of the podcast, and discuss future episodes, our backgrounds, and why we love working in animation. We encourage

Animation Happy Hour

#13 - Work Life Balance

#12 - Day In The Life: Production Management

#11 - Which Job in CG Feature Animation Is Right for You?

#10 - Is Art School Worth It?

#9 - Quarantine Q&A

#8 - Let's Talk Money

#7 - Applying to Jobs

#6 - Indie Content & Going Viral

#5 - Setbacks and Rejections

#4 - Demo Reels with Guillermo Careaga

#3 - Visas and Working Abroad with Paula Benedicto Martinez

#2 - Things We Wish We Knew in School

#1 - What is The Animation Happy Hour?