Standish913.com has been blessed to do an exclusive interview with...
"NATH MILBURN"!
STANDISH: You did animation for "The Simpsons", tell us how you landed that & what was your favorite character?
NATH: I believe I "cold" emailed the producer. They brought me in for an interview. I'm not sure if I tested or not, but that's how I got it. I have been freelancing on and off ever since.
STANDISH: What's it feel like to be apart of "The Simpsons" legacy?
NATH: To be honest, it didn't feel like much. It's one of those legacy shows where they've already got their styles and ways of doing stuff. You're just kind of copying it at that point. The one thing I did like was going to their annual Christmas/premiere party each year. I have a problem where I can't watch shows I work on. I try not to work on too many shows I like to watch because it'll ruin it for me. Luckily, I can still watch the old seasons. Feels different.
STANDISH: You did animation for "Hey Arnold: The Jungle Book", how'd you land that and what was that opportunity like?
NATH: I was their lead character designer. I landed it through a friend. On Breadwinners, I sat next to Jerry Richardson who used to work on the original Hey Arnold series. I mentioned to him they were thinking of rebooting it. He hit up his old buddies who helped him land the Art Director gig, and then he brought me in. It was all through friendships and connections.
STANDISH: How does it feel to be such an inspiration in the cartoon community?
NATH: First time someones ever asked me that. I don't feel like I am or notice me being one. I don't know!
STANDISH: Tell us a little about your overall mission, Nathaniel -
NATH: My original mission was to have my own animated tv series. Things have changed since then. I just love making stuff, no matter the medium. As long as I can pay my bills, live comfortably, and make stuff. I'm good.
STANDISH: Out of all the work you've done, which one was the hardest to work & why? Your favorite work & why?
NATH: Thundercats Roar was one of my favorites. I always love it when the crew acts like friends. They hang out together, talk together, and keep up with each other. My least favorite are the ones that treat it just like work and move on. They try to overdo it. They consider the artists "assets". I won't name the ones I didn't like working on. Showrunners should treat their employees like friends, like people who sacrifice part of their lives to make their show. When you start implementing hierarchies, the problem gets worse.
STANDISH: How old were you when you first realized you wanted to do what you do today?
NATH: Invader Zim came out in 2001. When I used to watch that, I started realizing people made these. That's when I got curious. I think I was around 12.
STANDISH: Where do you find your motivation to be great?
NATH: Everything. Anything that gives me a feeling. Music, movies, art, life, you name it.
STANDISH: What can we look forward to in the future from you?
NATH: A live-action feature film in theaters.
STANDISH: Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
NATH: Winning an Emmy, oscar, or Golden Globe.
STANDISH: Who are some of your mentors?
NATH: I've worked with so many, hard to pick. My inspirations are more my mentors than anything. Just keep searching. Looking.
STANDISH: During COVID, we all faced struggles, what was one of your main struggles?
NATH: Gaining weight and adjusting to working from home. I got very comfortable. To the point of getting lazy, gaining weight, and playing games late into the night. I did well for the first 7 months and then fell into a trap. Last year I started fixing those habits.
STANDISH: Where can fans find your work?
STANDISH: Anything you'd like to include?
NATH: Try new things. Be cool.
STANDISH: What are your social links?
https://www.instagram.com/nathmilburn/
https://www.instagram.com/lilbakerfilms
https://twitter.com/lilbakerfilms
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Thanks so much for your time!
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