Meibol Moran ’23, Computer Animation, was one of only six new participants selected for Nickelodeon’s Artist Program, an annual, six-month development program at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio in Burbank, California. Participants are assigned to one of three tracks—Storyboard, Visual Development, or CG Generalist—and work directly on productions alongside creative mentors and lead artists.
The Nickelodeon Artist Program began 13 years ago as a launchpad for emerging talent, as well as a way to bring unique voices from underrepresented backgrounds into the industry. In addition to their production work, participants attend workshops and other specialized learning and development opportunities. Alumni often have the opportunity for full-time or freelance placement at Paramount (Nickelodeon’s parent company) as well as other media leaders.
Moran grew up in an Ecuadoran-American family as the youngest of 11 children. She was first inspired to pursue animation when she saw Avatar: The Last Airbender, and she also loved Nick productions like El Tigre, My Life as a Teenage Robot, The Legend of Korra, and Winx Club. “Anything with magic, witty comedy, and a new world to explore,” she said.
She credits Ringling College of Art and Design for immersing her in an even broader spectrum of artistic specialties while encouraging her to develop her own creative voice.
“I’m grateful to Ringling the most for exposing me to so many different areas of the animation pipeline,” Moran said. “I felt free to find myself as an artist right from my freshman year. I have to give thanks to my story professor and mentor, Steven Hickner, who is really the artist who changed the way I saw animation and storyboarding. Mindless sketches became thorough ideas that set the groundwork for entire productions.”
Moran, who will participate in the Nickelodeon program’s Storyboard track, now enjoys all parts of the animation process, but story and layout have always been her passions. “Piecing things together, developing personalities, and building up a narrative through the most evocative shots and sequences is the most fulfilling part of the process for me.”
