1. You have multiple amazing channels, why did you first decide to start posting content on YouTube?
The first time I ever uploaded to YouTube was in 2008 and that was to showcase my very early stop motion animation work. I was in the process of applying to an Art Foundation course, and later an animation degree... so it was nice to have a URL to direct tutors to so they could see my level of work.
2. It's safe to say you've made a lot of videos, but what would you say is your most important one that you've posted?
The most important one for helping others would probably be the video I mad on depression. Since posting it so many people reached out to me to say that they were struggling themselves. To know they weren't alone in the battle was comforting to them. It's often not something people openly discuss. To see someone they knew IRL talk about it on YouTube made them realise everyone is dealing with their own stuff - we are never alone in our battles. I even had an old school friend, who I'd not spoken to in over a decade, slide into my DMs to show appreciation for that one.
3. Everyone has something that gets on their nerves, what is your biggest pet peeve?
Relating to YouTube, my biggest pet peeve would have to be the negativity that has flooded the platform in recent years. As someone who had created content on-and-off for 10 years it is such a shame to see how destructive it has become for so many creators.
4. What would you say is the highlight of your career so far (either YouTube or jobwise)?
This is a hard one, there are so many things I could pick (not on YouTube). I think even though it didn't lead to a job, having an animation audition on a children's TV show was a pretty special moment. Unfortunately I can't go into specifics as I had to sign an NDA, but it was a really exciting day, and a memory I will treasure.
5. Do you have any advice for content creators who would like to be more involved in YouTube communities?
Be proactive. Reach out to creators you like and find community groups on Facebook- there are plenty of them around. The majority of us are really friendly people and if you have those same qualities, and are a regular uploader of content, you will be welcomed with open arms by many creator communities.
6. You always seem to be on the go, doing lots of projects and working hard. How do you stay so focused and motivated?
I really need to make a video about this, as it's something that a lot of people ask me. The truth is that I am just as disorganised as anyone else, I just exert a lot of self-discipline to overcome any lazy or unproductive tendencies. I have lists I make daily... I break up any tasks into 'need to do', 'want to do' and 'could do'- I find it helpful to priorities tasks by urgency/importance. I also have a 12-month plan I have made which is stuck on a massive A1 board so I can see the whole year in one view... it's nice to see progress on that scale and is really great for planning out and scheduling future videos effectively. As for motivation I have some bigger goals on a vision board, big things that I am aiming for, seeing those in my face every day really reminds me of what I could achieve... and is often a great way to over-ride unmotivated thinking. I do of course still have days where I don't want to do anything; I am just like anyone else in that respect. I let myself have those days. I embrace them. Sometimes I think it is important to stop and be lazy, we need that empty time to find further motivation and creativity. If you never fully stop it starts to inhibit your productivity long-term, so always allow yourself time off, and try not to feel guilty.
7. How did you discover you had a passion for stop motion animation?
This is a funny one. I always used to watch things like Wallace and Gromit, The Clangers and Postman Pat growing up... however as a child I don't think I fully understood that these programmes were made by adults using stop motion animation, I think I just believed they were real?! It was much later on when I decided to give it a go for myself. At school I was creative and technique, my top two subjects were maths and art. During A-levels I completely messed up, I was doing Biology, Physics, Maths and Art... and I just couldn't cope - I broke - and my grades were slipping fast. Now I'm a very ambitions individual, so I had to think fast, and work out a new direction... i was not going to let this end my dream of getting a degree. A friend of mine was going to study Computer Science and that kind of lit a light bulb in my mind, could I do animation? I looked into it, and my tutors weren't very supportive.. but I was determined. I decided to start teaching myself and apply for an Art Foundation at a different college to get the UCAS points I needed. It was honestly the best decision I ever made. I nailed the course, and got into Uni with a scholarship too. So yeah in short, I discovered I had a passion for stop motion animation by a very happy accident.
8. What is your favourite type of content to watch on YouTube?
For me this changes often. Currently, I am quite obsessed with motivational content and self-help type stuff. It's so easy to get into a stagnant way of thinking and I love how watching a motivational video can break down your own mental walls and help you approach something in a different way. Whenever I feel unproductive, or lost in life, these kind of videos always give me a healthy boost back to better thinking.
9. What is the most important lesson you've ever learned?
Oh wow, there are so many things. I guess a really important one is that even though life is short, you don't need to have everything figured out in your early twenties. It's important to try lots of things, experiment, really find out what you like, and what you enjoy before you settle down into something. You potentially have 60+ good years in you, and if you use that time wisely great things can be achieved. There is no hurry to succeed and the most important thing to remember is not how much time you have, but how you choose to use that time - use it wisely. Sorry, I think that was several thoughts melded into one... basically live your life on your own terms, at your own pace, and hold yourself accountable to what you want to be truly happy. You should never live your life by what other people want for you, or what you think they want for you... follow your heart, your gut instinct, and just live your fullest.
10. And finally, do you have a goal that you would like to achieve in the next year?
In the next year, so a year from now. Hmmm... I have many goals, some of which I keep private because I think that when a goal is shared it often loses its achievablility. I guess the one thing I have been trying to work out how to do recently is how to scale my animation business... so if in year from now that was my main source of income again I would be very happy.
Oh, and in terms of YouTube. I'm shooting for growth, as always. In particular it would be nice to hit 1,000,000 views on my Tarot channel. I think I'm currently at about 80,000... so a million feels ambitions enough to strive for :)
Thank you so much Tortor for taking part in this interview. I feel like I've got to know you so much better, and thanks for reassuring me that I might still have 60ish years left to sort my life out haha! If you are a film creator or animating enthusiast yourself, please check out Tortor's channel, you'll really enjoy it!
Izzy K xxx
