Find out more about Greg → https://www.jdgstewart.co/ Find out more about the podcast here → https://jackvaughan.com
Today, I’m speaking with Greg Stewart — one of the founding members of Ordinary Folk, and now Lead Animator at the Bible Project.
I’ve known about Greg for long time - as Ordinary Folk are without doubt my favorite motion design studios. But I remember watching greg first from Holdframe workshop — and since really connected with his way of thinking.
We spoke about
- his early early career and fast liftoff
- History & Origin story of OF
- His time there, working with Jorge and his eventual move away
- A lot of detail on workflows & process and working with teams
- Levels of detail in motion - ways of seeing
- Technical side of Motion, Rigging, Systems
- but also the balance and integration of that with Art Direction, creative direction
- And, towards the end - a deep dive into how he’s using Cavalry
As always, if you appreciate the show, share it or leave a rating wherever you're listening. And I hope you enjoy this interview with Greg Stewart.
Summary & Chapters (AI Generated)
In this conversation, Greg Stewart, lead animator at The Bible Project, shares his journey from studying theology to becoming a prominent figure in motion design. He discusses his experiences at Ordinary Folk, the importance of collaboration, and the balance between technical skills and creative direction. Greg reflects on the significance of storytelling in animation and how his personal goals have evolved over time, emphasizing the value of faith and artistry in his work. In this conversation, Greg shares his journey in animation and collaboration, detailing his experiences working with a creative team and the growth he experienced through collaboration. He discusses the importance of art direction, team dynamics, and the processes that contribute to successful projects. Greg also explores the integration of new tools like Cavalry into his workflow, emphasizing the benefits of dynamic rendering and Google Sheets for efficient project management. He concludes with reflections on the future of motion design tools and the joy of problem-solving in the creative process.
00:00 Journey to The Bible Project 04:24 The Transition from Ordinary Folk to The Bible Project 07:28 The Excitement of Working on Bible Project 10:13 Balancing Art and Technical Skills 13:36 The Importance of Conceptual Thinking in Motion Design 16:20 Navigating Complexity and Simplicity in Motion Design 38:01 Building a World Through Animation 41:17 The Importance of Pre-Visualization 44:13 Navigating Early Career Decisions 47:59 The Freelance Journey Begins 52:45 Shifting Goals and Personal Growth 57:53 The Dynamics of Teamwork at Ordinary Folk 01:10:32 Exploring Animation Techniques and Intentions 01:13:24 Balancing Creative Integrity and Technical Execution 01:16:09 The Dynamics of Team Collaboration in Animation 01:17:07 Establishing Effective Processes in Animation Projects 01:20:18 Incorporating Freelancers and Diverse Styles 01:23:05 The Importance of Pacing and Quality in Animation 01:25:50 Transitioning to New Tools: Cavalry in Animation 01:33:13 Integrating Cavalry into Workflows 01:44:47 Dynamic Rendering and Google Sheets Integration 01:58:29 The Joy of Problem Solving in Motion Design