We had the pleasure of chatting with Justin Groats a voice actor and 3D Animator! Be sure to check out Justin’s work HERE and check out the interview to learn more!
1.What initially inspired you to become a creator, and how has that inspiration evolved throughout your creative journey?
I’ve always been very creative and imaginative when I was younger. In 2014 I started a youtube channel making crappy 2d animations, using audio from things like South Park. As I got older, I found new tools to create new things, I have always had a passion to tell stories, or make things and share them with the world.
2.Can you share a specific moment or experience that fueled your passion for your current creative project?
Well, I have many creative projects, I run a 3d animation youtube channel that I’ve been somewhat successful with. I’ve always been passionate about producing a cartoon universe since I was in highschool, Six years ago. It all came to me in an Epiphany I had when I was alone with my thoughts one night. I Immediately came up with a plot, then scrapped it two years later for an even better one! I am currently working on my Pitch right now!
3.What challenges have you encountered as an indie creator, and how have they shaped your approach to your work?
Time is such a huge one. I work a full time job, go to karate, and I have a Video Game habit. Most of the time I get very ambitious to the point where I have so many projects all on my plate.
Another one is marketing. I mainly have a youtube channel to share my 3d fan projects, but I’ve been more successful with that.
4. Are there any particular creators who have significantly influenced your style or approach? How do you incorporate those influences into your own unique voice?
I wouldn’t say, Creators, rather say, people who have been successful in Producing Cartoons. I love how South Park’s style of writing both incorporates real world topics and their characters in a humorous take. Viv who produced Helluva Boss and Hazbin Hotel, really inspires me that someone who came from nowhere became successful, along with the range of well-written characters that are well thought out. And then, Bruce Timm, his cartoon adaptation of DC’s beloved characters in the 90’s and early 2000’s influenced how my cartoon universe is structured. All of these creators have influenced how I wanted to create my show, making characters who have purpose, a world far different yet similar to our own, in a Superhero Action style.
5. How do you navigate the balance between staying true to your artistic vision and adapting to feedback from your audience or collaborators?
For my 3d animations, I LOVE seeing comments on my channel, it’s what keeps me motivated. But most of the time I share my Cartoon Pitch with others and ask for feedback. I never really collaborated with anyone with these ideas yet.
6.Can you recall a memorable success story or milestone in your indie creator journey that stands out as a turning point for you?
My first 3d animation I released was extremely terrible, I am currently remaking it for my first year on the channel. It reached around 50k views, which i never had that success before on my previous channel.
7.What role do setbacks or failures play in your creative process, and how do you overcome them to keep moving forward?
Trying to keep my head up, or sometimes taking a step back helps, working on something else, or even doing something that you love that isn’t creative does help. Anything that helps my Mental Heath
8. How do you manage your time and energy to sustain a consistent creative output while juggling other aspects of life?
I don’t have any set goals or schedule. I actually bring my laptop to work and work on my creative works during Lunch or break
9.Have you found any unexpected joys or rewards in the indie creator community, and how has it contributed to your overall experience?
No
10.If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring creators, what would it be based on your own lessons learned?
Plan, Research, dive right in. Maybe it won’t be good first, but you can always make changes along the way.
11. What are your thoughts on All Ages of Geek? What are some things we should change/do? What are something you enjoy about our website?
Thanks for having me for this survey, I have nothing to change really.
12. Goals for 2024?
Pitch my Cartoon Universe to the Company I want to, make my 2024 Voice Over Demos, land my first paid gig!
