Sonya Carey
REELWORLD'S
2021 TRAILBLAZER
RECIPIENT
Animator
TRAILBLAZER
AWARDS
REELWORLD
2022 TRAILBLAZER
RECIPIENTS
Trailblazer
Awards
Sonya Carey
Animator
Sonya has enjoyed over 25 years in her career thus far and has earned a name for herself in technical animation.
Carey is the founder and lead trainer of The Animation Lounge. Through the Animation Lounge Carey is helping aspiring animators refine their skills and preparing them to work in a professional studio setting. They even take on students that have no prior experience at all.
In college she majored in Drama and began to shape her career as a technical artist focusing on lighting and sound. After graduating she moved to Los Angeles and took an interest in animation. She taught herself and then landed her first job, as a compositor on the “Ren and Stimpy” show and her career took off from there. Which included running her own animation studio, Portfolio Entertainment.
Her list of credits are incredible and include Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog”, “The Proud Family Movie“, “Ren and Stimpy” and even “Winnie the Pooh"
Meet the Trailblazer
Motivation
I’m driven by a couple of things in my life. I’ve been in animation for 28 years now and am still one of the only Black Women Producing. I want to help the young ladies coming up who are so deserving of a boost. I also want to share the world of independent animal filmmaking. Teaching software is key.
Work
When I’m looking for work, I’m looking for a challenge. Every job I take, moves me into a new area that I’ve never been in. Some new software, hardware or business practice. Everything I do is a stepping stone where I would like to be. I have a goal at all times.
Success
I think my road to success has been a bit of luck and a bit of strategy but I do like to put myself in situations where I will get the best opportunity to learn.
My worst experience has been being looked over for positions for which I am qualified.
Experience
Impact
Anyone who can tell a story and make my imagination go crazy. Anyone who can make me laugh out loud and cry out loud. I suppose all of us in Animation can help but look up to the great Disney storytelling from the classic era of Snow White and The Aristocrats. I want to believe there is a way to do what Disney does. Tell Stories.
Collaboration
My model is based on the notion that family comes first. If there is anyone in my family who is interested and knowledgeable, I like to give them opportunity. That includes my family of friends-young and old, new to the industry or novice.
Challenges
I won’t really feel like I’ve made it until I can take vacation days without asking permission.
Advice
Networking and Socializing is so important. Ours is an industry where is pays off to let people see your face, know who you are. Don’t worry so much about what colour you are, let that be someone else’s issue, not yours.