Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Bivins.
Chris, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I originally studied animation at the Art Institute of Atlanta. My initial goal was to work for Disney or Pixar as a character designer and/or story artist. I started work at a slot machine gaming company based out of Duluth and eventually moved to midtown and I have been there for the past 11 years. It was known as Cadillac Jack, however, we have since been renamed AGS. I currently hold a Senior Artist position, and my daily responsibilities consist of illustration, graphic design, and animations.
Over the last few years, I have provided contract work for film and TV as a storyboard artist and creative consultant. I have worked on such productions as; Chappaquiddick, The Belko Experiment, Almost Christmas, Hap and Leonard, and MacGuyver. I started as an adjunct instructor at the Art Institute of Atlanta last fall in the animation department.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Its been an interesting ride. I thought at one point I wanted to work fully in the animation industry and no desire to work in slot gaming. Though in hindsight, it has been a very rewarding experience creatively. The thought of working on one project for months or even years at a time seems daunting to me and feeling boxed into one discipline, never really interested to me but working on a cartoon show always appealed to my strengths.
I was always influenced by Looney Tunes and Disney cartoons, but the sheer scoop and high demand of local California talent were intimidating to me. I felt like I wasn’t skilled enough or even creative enough to compete with that. Moving across the country with no safety net was always a fear for me as well. My parents are very traditional, and a leap of faith on that scale caused me great anxiety then and even as I write this!
I feel like now I’m in a better position, I love my job and the people I work with. Over the years I have been able to wear different hats in the studio and gives me a lot of exposure to different software, disciplines, and I am able to strengthen my skills in a way I never thought imaginable. I feel blessed to be in the position am I now, so if I ever feel the need to make that move, my years of experience has prepared me to be ready for any challenge.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with AGS – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As I said before, I am able to juggle a few different hats working at this studio. I can provide character designs on one game, animated symbols on the next, meanwhile, I can work with game designers and programmers to make sure the intent or spirit of each game is being conveyed. It’s interesting working in this type of industry, where you get direct feedback from your customer; in this case the slot players.
Going to any casino, I can analyze what games people are playing and find out what it is that makes it an exhilarating experience for them. You can quickly pivot if players aren’t responsive, and course-correct to feed the market trend.
I am most proud of my team, and the people I work with. Everyone is always trying to make the best product possible, and most importantly improving upon the last project. It creates a trust within the team that I find makes my job more intriguing and more beneficial to my creative growth.
Working in this industry has forced me to not just pay attention to good art, but how that art enhances the product. Starting from a small team, and witnessing the growth of the company, has prepared me to see the bigger picture and not just focus on my contributions.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Right now I am collaborating with my best Joe Karg on a few projects. We currently building a website together and will be collectively be known as Combo Break. We have already worked on a few projects together for comedy festivals, album covers for Comedy Central, and design work in the area.
We have also been working on a few comic book projects on our own and for freelance. In my own time, I have been tooling away on a short animated film project.
Contact Info:
- Email: bivinschristopher@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbiv85/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.bivins.75
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cbiv85
- Other: http://cbiv85.blogspot.com/
Image Credit:
Chappaquiddick, The Belko Experiment, Almost Christmas, Hap & Leonard, MacGuyver
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