An Animated Chat with Andrew Pearce: From UCalgary to DreamWorks Animation
This audio interview was conducted by Chris Doucher, Editor-in-Chief, Writer and Comic Panel Moderator for GeekNerdNet. (Image credits to: Andrew Pearce and GeekNerdNet. Screenshot credits to DreamWorks Animation)
Andrew Pearce, former VP of Global technology at DreamWorks Animation, and UCalgary Faculty of Science Alum (Photo credit: Chris Doucher/GeekNerdNet/AndrewPearce)
I had the opportunity over the summer to sit down and chat with Andrew Pearce, formerly Vice President of Global Technology with DreamWorks Animation. He is an alum and graduate of the Faculty of Science at University of Calgary (U of C/UCalgary) 1987/1988.* The asterisk is there because Pearce points out his thesis was dated 1987, but hey, it’s all close enough.
A quick note: This interview was saved for classes to get back in full swing. That’s right now!
Pearce was gearing up to address the graduating class of the Faculty of Science, but he warmed up for it in our conversation, which covered everything from high school to university, and his work with the biggest names in entertainment (you’ll hear in the full, and very entertaining audio interview below).
Of course, the first thing Pearce pointed out was his high school years, where he and two good friends drew cartoons. “I could tell that theirs were really good and mine were really bad,” he explained.
Fast forward to his time at U of C, he realized after seeing a rudimentary computer drawn picture in the science hallway, “…computers can draw. I have to do that!”
His career path took him to a company in Toronto, which eventually led him to work for them in Santa Barbara, California, and his first brush with Hollywood movie making. Eventually, he landed with ESC (Entertainment Sciences Corporation) to help them use the software—Maya—he created in order to launch two Matrix sequels in one calendar year.
Then came the opportunity to work with DreamWorks Animation. The animation powerhouse needed someone to manage its rendering and effects teams. Suddenly he was back in the movie-making business. After all, blockbusters these days are nothing without the software.
Pearce talks about how all those long nights working with technology in the background were more than worth it, and instrumental in creating emotional, human connections. By the way, if you’re wondering, Pearce’s favourite animated film is also one he worked on: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON. Pearce reflects on comics, too, and how drawing cartoons with friends led to his love of animation.
“We had stacks of X-Men and Batman…like, we were comic nerds and crazy…so it’s such a crazy and natural progression that you can actually think: Oh, I made a career chasing computer graphics, and that it turned out okay.”
I asked Pearce how it feels to be addressing the (2024) graduating class of the Faculty of Science, when years prior he was addressed by some other distinguished speaker upon his graduation:
“Um, you know, you feel completely under qualified to do it…it’s super humbling, it’s such an honour.”
Go ahead and hit play below and enjoy the interview. And good luck with the academic year, students. Thanks, Andrew!