Today I bring you an interview that we did with Laura, french girl who was here in the studio over the past six months.
With 23 years old, came from Aquitaine, France, study at the University ESTEI (Bordeau) in the animation area. It was a fairly new experience for both her ​​and for the house folks, who had to put English knowledge to work!

At a very relaxed time we talked about her impressions from here.

1. How did you find us and what caught your attention?

Laura: I was looking for design agencies from other countries on the internet and sent my resume and portfolio to another studio in Brazil, which evaluated my work and interest and introduced me to your studio. What caught my attention was your showreel , the logo and the rooster. I sent you an e-mail and Leonardo answered quickly, which made ​​me feel confident, because in most cases we don’t get any feedback. I knew it would be cool.

And I was also curious about having a rooster in brand, as in France bread, chefs and roosters are very distinctive. I thought “Wow, a rooster? Curious. ” and felt at home!

2. France is well known for quality in animation development. What motivated you to come to Brazil?

Laura:We really have good animators in France but they also exist in other places. I think animation is such an intense area and when coming to Brazil I could learn to see in other ways, learn different styles and improve my visual references. It’s important to be able to understand cultural differences in animation projects.

3. Tell us about your experience in Brazil and here in the studio. How did you deal with cultural differences?

Laura: When I arrived, I felt like a baby – too many things around me, everything was new and I wasn’t understand anything! The good thing is that everyone here is very open and pleasant, making the part of “meeting people” the easiest one. The language was my major difficulty, as a wall. Lots of people stopped me and asked for information, I think people thought I’m brazilian because there isn’t a striking physical characteristic in Brazil. I didn’t understand what people were saying and it was very funny.

Now I see that I started my Portuguese classes a little late, it would be better if I had started earlier. People spoke in portuguese at parties and of course I felt lost. Then I realized how I needed to learn how to communicate here. Some people spoke in french with me, but I didn’t come to Brazil to continue speaking french, right?

The studio has a great potential to develop, is very dynamic. When someone has an idea, people go deep together, play the game. Everyone has a great ability to communicate at work and sometimes it was difficult to participate. Luckily I came prepared for everything, my motivation was to understand the culture, experience what happens here.

You seem to be good friends and here is a great place to learn. It’s good to get some time to breathe and appreciate the stages of learning not only think about money, money, money. You are not only thinking about walking but also evolving. Here is great to grow professionally. Now I have many contacts, both personally and professionally and is very good. I have to tell that was very funny to see you playing soccer. You make some strange faces, I liked! (laughing)

4. Many people want to do an exchange. What advice would you give for those who want to leave the country to work into so specific market? If we want to go to France, where should we start?

Laura: It depends on what you wants, but it would be cool to start for Paris. It is where we have a lot of French culture in general, a little bit of everything, you know, culture is more representative. For language, you can go only speaking English like me, but you certainly will have a little difficulty. If you want to spend a short time is better already know French, but if you are going to stay for a longer period, go with no fear and learn there. To be honest, I don’t know if the french studios have the doors open to make exchanges, but I also didn’t know if there was an opportunity in Brazil and ended up coming. You must get in touch and find out.

5. We know you have visited many countries in Europe and Africa. What have you learned in Brazil that made your trip memorable.

Laura: The season before Carnival and Carnival itself, the preparation of samba schools and, of course, caipirinha! I didn’t come thinking that had alligators and monkeys on the streets, I was at Africa, I know that it ain’t so! (laughing) People are very nice and I realized that I was in Brazil because of rain! I went to Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguaçu, São Bento do Sul and Guarda do Embaú. Too many beaches are known around here, huh? But I visited about 10.Wish I could come back here on a weekend just to go to the beach! My favorite is the Mole, Brava and Santo Antonio de Lisboa, which has a beautiful architecture.

Brazil is very big and has many places only with vegetation, it is very beautiful, I was amazed when got here by plane. Many people want to travel but get scared because it is a little lonely … but people here are very hospitable and welcoming. My advice is do not be afraid, go without looking back because it worth. Of course it was hard to keep away from my boyfriend and family, but I am very grateful to Skype!