It’s just over a year since Treasure Bayona started her first job in the animation industry after spotting an opportunity to join a free training course at A Productions.
Today, she’s a scene prep and layout artist at the studio, after having been offered a role at the end of the course to work on new pre-school show, My Friend Maisy, which recently launched on Sky Kids. Based on the bestselling books by Lucy Cousins, My Friend Maisy is co-produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions and Trustbridge Entertainment, with animation created by our team at A Productions in collaboration with Karrot.
The course taught participants, who were all newcomers to working in the animation industry, the skills needed to become a scene build artist on a 2D animated series.
Treasure, 22, shares her experiences of the course and the role so far.
How did you first come across the opportunity to apply for the training course?
I had been part of a girls’ group for people from ethnically diverse backgrounds during college and my youth mentor sent me a flyer. She knew I was into art and creativity, but we hadn’t been in touch for a few years. I thought it looked really cool and an amazing opportunity, but I didn’t think I’d get onto it. I was debating whether to apply and on the last day before deadline, I decided to go for it.
At this point I was at university studying education and I was supposed to be going to Spain on a year out during the course, but it hadn’t worked out as finding a residential placement was difficult. This left me in a situation where I didn’t have either work or education. So, I was working as a teaching assistant in primary schools in Bristol, but I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do long term.
Had you been interested in the animation world before?
When I was growing up, I wanted to be a character designer, games artist or an animator. I would draw every day. I still remember when I got my first graphics tablet for Christmas. I always wanted to create and tell stories. Anyone who knew me knew I was a creative person. I felt quite self-conscious about it though – and didn’t really know how I could turn my passion into a career.
How was the course?
It was so much fun. We covered designing, rigging, the animation pipeline, scene prep, just so much. This was what I’d always wanted to do. I felt like a kid in a candy store. It really reassured me that I could do it. It was so surreal. I thought back to my younger self, who never thought it was possible to have a job like this in the industry.
What came next?
I was offered a role at the studio after the course finished. It was a 9-month contract to work as a scene prep and layout artist. So, I had this job offer and I had university. I thought do I stick with my safe plan or go for my dream since I’d been at primary school? I chose the job and I’m so glad I did.
What’s life been like working as a scene prep and layout artist?
It’s all about seeing how the animatic – which is essentially a rough draft of the animation – comes together with the final assets and artwork. This stage is about refining the framing and sending edits to the director. It means changes can be made early on before it becomes disruptive to the workflow. During scene prep, animatics are used to establish the basic positioning and posing of characters and props before animation begins. It’s super fun and I’m really enjoying it. It involves lots of problem solving and the goal is to make sure everything go as smoothly as possible.
What was it like seeing My Friend Maisy launch earlier this year?
It was super cool looking at the credits and seeing your name. It was amazing to see how everything comes together with the music and the voice acting and to see how it goes from the work you did to the finished project. It’s magical to see that transformation. I read the Maisy books as a kid and have read them to children in the schools and nurseries I worked in. I love how individual the characters are but that they all have so much fun together.
What’s it like working at A Productions?
I love it here. Everyone is so supportive. There’s something about going into a place and feeling so appreciated that makes you want to give 120%. It’s the best work environment I’ve ever been in. I really appreciate the flexible hours, which are useful for appointments. There’s a suggestions box – everything’s open to discussion and people listen.
What’s next for Treasure?
I’d like to stay in the industry and I feel super excited to take the next step. I’m so grateful for this experience. I’ve been looking at the animation pipeline to see where I can upskill alongside my scene prep and layout work.