Profile: Gary Conrad
JJS: I look for art that has a point of view. When we hire someone, we don’t just look for skill in animation, but something that makes them unique. It can be a drawing style or it can be an attitude.
JF:
What’s a quality someone must have if they want to follow in your shoes?
JJS:
Flexibility, enthusiasm, and enjoying dealing with people. I approach the situation that people in general are good, and trying not to fool myself about what my strengths and weaknesses are. And boy, enthusiasm goes really far.
JF:
Is there anything you would have done differently?
JJS:
Nah. It’s all pretty good stuff. I’m a very, very lucky, happy individual..
JF:
What do your kids think of your job?
JJS:
They know how important Patrice and I both think it is for them to ultimately do whatever they can to make sure they have a much control over their lives as possible. I think they understand by example.
JF:
What do you do for fun?
JJS:
I don’t have any hobbies that aren’t somehow involved in business, whether it’s trains, architectural preservation, or comic books. There’s very little seperartion between hobby and work.
JF: What’s the hardest thing about your job?