
Please tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘My Turn!’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make animation?
Isabelle: My first time animating was at San Jose State University. Before taking my first 2D animation class, I never dreamed of being an animator, and now my life is forever changed. Since then, I have volunteered on various student projects and do some personal animation on the side.
Daisha: My very first animation was on the DSI flipnote studio as a kid. I took my first class in middle school, and majored in Animation/Illustration with Isabelle at San Jose State University. I was an animator for four student and independent films during university, and also directed a short live action film.
Tell us about ‘My Turn!’. How do you describe it?
My Turn! is a 2D animated short film about two sisters fighting to get to the bathroom first, and in their wacky and chaotic battle learn the importance of sisterhood.
Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.
Isabelle: While I can’t pinpoint specific filmmakers—since a fantastic film is the result of a whole team’s effort—I can certainly highlight animated shows that have profoundly influenced my artistic development. Growing up, I was captivated by shows like Rainbow S.p.A ‘s Winx Club, Totally Spies, and Disney’s Kim Possible. I loved seeing strong female characters as heroes, taking charge and saving the day.
As an adult, I have a deep admiration for Powerhouse Animation Studios. I appreciate how they seamlessly blend Western animation styles with anime, creating stunning and dynamic fight scenes that are truly a feast for the eyes.
Daisha: My all time favorite director is Hayao Miyazaki, his whimsical worlds and human stories have always been an inspiration. I also love the action and heart of MTJJ, the world building of David James Armsby, and all the creative minds behind the early 2D animated Dreamworks films.

If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?
Isabelle: My Turn! was essentially my ideal project! I believe we succeeded in creating a universal and timeless story. One aspect that would enhance My Turn! is ensuring that all the creatives involved are fairly compensated for their hard work—we absolutely deserve to be paid for our hard work.
If I were given the opportunity to develop another project, it would closely resemble My Turn!. I envision an action-packed film that emphasizes complete character development. With a good budget, I would have the luxury to fully explore the story, meticulously plan the fight choreography, and deepen the characters’ motivations to deliver the highest quality animated film possible.
Daisha: If I’m honest, My Turn! was the epitome of my ideal project as well: keeping it simple with high quality 2D animation, fleshed out story and characters, and beautiful visuals. If I made another film, I would do the same things but on a larger scale. All elements of the creative process take time, and when given more of it I would ensure that everything is done with care and quality.

Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?
Isabelle: Meeting production milestones was essential for the success of this project. As a leader, I learned the importance of making decisive choices to keep us on track. Despite our thorough planning, unexpected challenges inevitably arise, which can lead to delays. This is why effective communication is crucial throughout the entire production process.
I believe it's vital for everyone on the team to understand the significance of reaching these milestones. Team members should feel comfortable and encouraged to communicate openly with their superiors if they anticipate any difficulties in meeting deadlines. This transparency allows producers to collaboratively identify solutions and navigate any obstacles that may arise.
Daisha: I learned a lot about keeping on schedule with this film, the biggest step is to know when to continue developing an idea or a shot and when to know that it’s good enough to move on. I would hire producers and production assistants to delegate tasks efficiently and give ourselves a generous amount of buffer time. Working with multiple departments to check that timelines are reasonable is also important, and holding people accountable to their assignments.
What was the hardest part of making ‘My Turn!’.
Isabelle: At the start of making My Turn!, I struggled with imposter syndrome. I often questioned whether I was a good director and if my ideas were worthy of being turned into an animated short. This feeling of self-doubt was particularly intense during the story development phase.
Crafting a compelling narrative and storyboarding it proved to be both frustrating and challenging; we knew we couldn’t rush this critical part of the process. It required numerous revisions and testing with peers and advisors. However, by taking the time needed for the story phase, my confidence as a director grew significantly, as we ultimately created an engaging story that truly deserved to be seen.
Daisha: The hardest part was the learning curve of being a leader of a big team. The beginning was rough as we were under pressure to have a concrete direction of the story completed in a certain amount of time. There were roadblocks in design and story that weren’t working, and it was frustrating to try and solve them when we really needed to move to the next step for the sake of production. As directors, that was our call to make. Once we passed those barriers, the rest of the process was comparatively smooth sailing.

If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?
Isabelle: As a recent graduate, I’m experiencing a newfound freedom and am eager to dive into personal projects while enjoying My Turn!’s film festival run. I definitely plan to return to storytelling, whether through animation or a webcomic. Currently, I’m collaborating on a companion app, which allows me to explore new artistic avenues and continue learning.
Daisha: As a recent graduate I’m finding my place in the artistic world, I have a lot of interests and avenues I could pursue and it’s hard to choose! Animation is still a passion of mine, but currently I’m working on building an art business in fine art landscape painting.
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