You’ve worked before returning to studying. What was it about animation that attracted you away from work?

I have always wanted to do animation, but never found the way to get into it until recently. My job before was kind of animation related. Thanks to the portfolio I created there I managed to get into NFTS where I started to develop my animation career.

How would you describe Jamon?

Jamon is a traditionally animated short film, with screen-printed backgrounds. It is a tragic comedy about a Spanish kid who is the only pig of his human family, and one day he would come to terms with who he really is.

How are you finding the animation community in London? 

I am quite new in this industry, but I find there is really high level of capability in the animation industry in London, lots of talented people making brilliant films; it is very inspirational.

What’s the process involved in developing the concept/personality for each character in animation? 

The process of developing the personality of the character was quite hard, it takes time and it can be confusing, especially when you have many characters, you need to consider the role of each towards the main character. I guess each director and script writer must have there own way of doing it, but for me the best way is trying to find real life references for those characters and push reality towards fiction.

Is being able to draw extremely well crucial?

I guess it all depends what type of animation you are trying to achieve and which style you are pursuing. Also it all depends what you understand as “being able to draw”. If you want to do Disney animation, of course it is crucial to be able to draw traditionally. If you want to do stop motion is not necessary at all, so it all depends what are you after.

Apart from story telling what other skills are required for making brilliant animation?

I am still trying to work that answer out myself. I guess the most important skill is patience and perseverance.

Visit Iria Lopez to see the film