Channel Frederator Blog

In the middle of graduating and moving, the talented Gianna Ruggiero had just enough time to give a shout out to her teachers at Ringling, give us a little background on her film “Gretel & Hanzel”, and tell us how a blue-grass metal band inspired her work.

Channel Frederator: What is the most important thing you’ve learned about animation while in school?

Gianna Ruggiero: Probably who the character is and what is it thinking. Internal Dialogue! Timing, timing, timing. How timing not only is key to making moments funny but how it is key to creating the overall mood, how it impacts the viewer.

CF: Want to give a shout to any teachers?

GR: First and for most all the Computer Animation Faculty. Thank you guys so much!!!!

I must mention one of my teachers for the past year and a half Jamie DeRuyter! He has been an amazing teacher. He is full of energy and life. He is creative and talented. I have learned a lot from that man. YOU ROCK!

Also one of my first teachers I ever had in the CA world, Billy Merritt. He really help me fall in love with animation and truly understand the deeper rules of animation like what the character feels and thinks, how to convey that. I don’t think I really would love this field as much as I do if it wasn’t for him. I owe a lot to him.

And one more person. If I didn’t mention him he would probably hunt me down. Dr.Moon. Also, Deaborah Healy, Ron Zietler, and Keith Osborn!

CF: What has influenced your style the most?

GR: A lot of things. I try not to stick to one thing for very long because I get bored. For my thesis I looked into traditional pen and ink illustrations. I tried to incorporate a cross-hatching look to my thesis.

I think the thing that influenced my art the most was where I grew up and of course, Ringling College of Art & Design. Philadelphia gave me an overall passion for what I do, and it introduced me to “people watching” and the urban aspects of art. Falling in love with the things that are imperfect or “ugly”. The grittiness of art, like David Choe’s work.

Ringling has helped me refine it and help tame it. It also helped me value the power of the line, and how to never trace lines but feel them. The spontaneity of it and to never over think. Go with the flow. Instinct is the artists greatest friend.

CF: What gave you the idea for “Gretel & Hanzel”?

GR: The song by O’Death that is featured in my film. My good friend’s little sister introduced me to them awhile back and I just fell in love. The one song “Ground Stump” was my favorite. I am inspired a lot by music. Every time I listen to it I pictured the tall blue creepy straggly man sing to the song. It went through a couple ideas at first and then it came to a modern day retelling of “Hansel and Gretel”.

CF: What do you plan to do after you graduate?

GR: I am currently in the process of looking for a job. But I plan on going back to my home town in Philadelphia and just drawing and painting my little heart out.

Sounds great! Thanks for the interview, Gianna.

You can check out her film “Gretel & Hanzel” right here on Channel Frederator!

-Bailee DesRocher