National Parents' Day: Estrella Capin

CELEBRATING ANIMATION FAMILIES

For National Parents’ Day on July 25th, we chatted with moms Estrella and Kim Capin about life with daughter Ellie & doggo Lola. Estrella is an editor on Spongebob Squarepants, a 14 year veteran at Nickelodeon, and a proud union member of IATSE Local 700.

Conversation: Estrella on WFH

Our daughter was born at the end of Nov, 2019...Covid hit in March...making it possible to be home and spend tons more time with her than we ever dreamed possible. Being present for those first milestones is something we'll always appreciate. Working from home the last year and a half has been difficult and amazing. My wife is a graphic designer with a demanding, hands-on kind of job. And as an editor, I'm used to being all alone about 90% of the time, so I really miss the social aspect of being at work…[Nickelodeon] still feels like my happy place.

 

Conversation: Estrella on Family

Raising a girl in this world seems like the most important job I'll ever have. Making sure she's aware, while trying to protect her is a tricky task. Right now she's this sweet little sponge that hasn't experienced loss or tragedy. I feel extreme personal pressure to make sure she has all the necessary tools to navigate through life on her own someday. OK, she's only 19 months old, but these are already the thoughts in my head. Luckily, my wife is amazing in every aspect of parenting, and doing it together has only brought us closer. We can't forget our 11 year-old pup that has loved having us home, but still not sold on the toddler. Baby steps.

#AnimationFAM

National Parents' Day: Rochelle Perry

 CELEBRATING ANIMATION FAMILIES

We're highlighting animation industry parents in celebration of National Parents’ Day on July 25th. We chatted with mom Rochelle Perry and papa Patrick Coy about life with daughter CeCe. Rochelle’s design credits include Lalaloopsy and Ni Hao, Kai-Lan at Nickelodeon. She is currently Associate Producer of The Fungies! at Cartoon Network.

Conversation: Rochelle on Planning for Career & Family 

When I was 10, I thought I had everything planned out for my future. I would marry my high school or college sweetheart, have kids by the age of 28 and be a stay at home mom writing and illustrating my own children's books for said kids (but LA rent won't allow that to happen!) However, since hitting my 30s I realize life doesn't always go according to plan.

My friends all made getting pregnant look so easy as they seemed to pop babies out whenever they tried (or even whenever they weren't trying for that matter.) [Patrick and I] passed all the tests and were told that in all likelihood we should be able to have a child naturally. But we were getting older, and I had lost track of the number of times I cried myself to sleep thinking of all the moments I would never have, the love I would never be able to give, the life I would never be able to live. These days 1 in 8 couples suffer from infertility and that number is only increasing. The more I researched and the more I continued this journey of love and science, I began to understand that those who have trouble trying to conceive need medical treatment just like any other medical condition out there. Fortunately my employer offers an awesome perk that helps cover the costs of IVF.* 

Conversation: Rochelle on Becoming a Mom 

I feel so fortunate that the treatment worked on the first attempt. After all the exams, the drugs, the shots, the acupuncture, the tears and feelings of loss, I am so appreciative to the doctors, technology, and science for allowing me to bring my beautiful daughter into the world. She makes me want to be a better person for her everyday. I had never realized that when a child is born, a mother is born, too.  She is definitely more incredible than anything I could have ever planned or imagined as a child.

​​*While working in production, Rochelle was able to access IVF discounts through her employer’s corporate health plan. TAG members can explore IVF discounts through Kaiser (https://www.mpiphp.org/assets/files/yourbenefits/health/SPD_Active_2019.pdf) and Anthem - WINFertility (https://www.winfertility.com/anthem-special-offers/). To learn more about members' IVF experiences with the MPI Health Plan, contact the FAM Committee: animationisfamily@gmail.com.

#AnimationFAM

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day

to our #AnimationFAM

Dads, Grandpas, Uncles, Big brothers, and Caregivers!

💙💕💙💕💗💗💗💗💗💗💗👏👏👏

We recognize you and we celebrate you!

This week we highlight Guild super dad & story editor

Kevin Kramer!

Featured photo: Kevin, Myles, and Jack explore Disneyland!

Read more about the adventures of #AnimationFAM Kevin, Myles, and Jack: in the June issue of The Peg-Board (pg. 14-15), on the TAG website Family and Membership page, and on TAG social media!

Post your own #AnimationFAM photo and be sure to tag @animationguild

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

To all our Guild Moms, Grandmas, Aunties & Caregivers

💗 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! 💗

On Mother's Monday: 

check out This Week @ TAG,

The Animation Guild website,

and the May 2021 issue of The Peg-Board

for a spotlight on Guild super mom and Head of Story

at Walt Disney Animation Studios: 

Fawn Veerasunthorn!

Crafting our future: Fawn is an American Citizen!
Featured here with husband Ryan Green and daughter Kina, April 2021.
Follow Fawn's art on Instagram @fawnv

May Day 2021

Happy May Day

a.k.a.

💪 International Workers' Day 💪

from the FAM Committee!

Read about the history of May Day here.

Read about May Day celebrations in Los Angeles here.

Celebrate all we've accomplished and take a lead

in the work that's yet to be done!

#IATSE #IATSEwomen #StrongUnions #UnionStrong #TheWorkContinues

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 2020!

Happy Father's Day to every #animationdad! 

WIA+TAG CELEBRATE DADS is highlighting dads across the animation community as they work from home with kids, including: Jorge R Gutierrez (Maya and the Three and The Book of Life), Michael Smidi Smith (Paw Patrol and Blaze and the Monster Machines), Jack Cusumano (Rick & Morty and Futureworm), Chris Paluszek (Bojack Horseman and Final Space), Joe Wierenga (Big Mouth and SpongeBob SquarePants), Brandon Hoang (Glitch Techs and Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Michael Pisano (Hyborian: Driven by Hunger and School of Visual Arts), Nate Wragg (Home and Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters), Ellery Ortiz (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi), and Jimmy Calhoun (Too Art for TV and School of Visual Arts). 

Read their stories and explore family resources at: https://animationguild.org/committees/familyandmembership/.

Post your own WFH selfie! #animationdad

#TAG #FAM 

Happy Coming Out!

🌈Happy National Coming Out Day 2019!

The Family And Membership Committee
supports and celebrates YOU!

Celebrating Sons

🌟 Happy 🌟

National 

Son's Day!

The FAM Committee celebrates YOU today!

Childcare: Modern Solutions for Modern Families

🎈🍭 Happy Memorial Day Weekend! 🍔🍻

Long weekends and holidays like this one are often celebrated as family fun-days. But what happens when the kids are out of school, daycare is closed, and mom and dad still have to work? We've got you covered with 10 Out-of-the-Box Childcare Options, for holidays or everyday, that may help your modern family thrive.

#holiday #childcare #work #family #tag

International Women's Day - Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion

***

Happy 

International 

Women's Day!

***

#TAG #women #diversity #inclusion #animationisfamily #balanceforbetter #IWD2019

It's Veteran's Day: We Support You

Today, the Family Leave Subcommittee honors the VETERANS

in our communities, in our families, and

in our industry.

Animation has a symbiotic relationship with the national defense narrative; from Walt Disney and Warner Bros' now-famous World War II training films to today's Google Doodle honoring our veterans and their stories. 

For more than a century, animation artists have helped shape our world, while providing society an illustrated mirror through which to view ourselves. Striking visuals have captured the national mood, communicated our fears, carried our hopes, and - in their best iterations - they've inspired a brighter future. 

We recognize that veterans count among our numbers - from Guild members to family members. We remember those we've lost and honor those who continue to serve. Whether on the front line or on the production line, daily life can become overwhelming. If you or a loved one are struggling now, MPIPHP offers free counseling and support through OPTUM. 

To talk with someone 24/7:

Call (888) 661-9141 or log on to

www.liveandworkwell.com

with access code: mpiphp.

We support you.

#veteransday #support #animationisfamily #tag #mpiphp #optum

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos in LA

💀 Olvera Street 💀

Now through November 2, 2018

Olvera Street celebrates Dia de los Muertos with processions, altars, face painting and more!

For over 30 years, the merchants on Olvera Street have celebrated Dia de los Muertos. The celebration has evolved to incorporate the pre-Columbian, Aztec, Mayan and Catholic rituals surrounding death. Each night, a vibrant and colorful procession sets the stage for our ceremony.

Dia de los Muertos is, in fact, a celebration of life – it is not a time to mourn our loved ones, rather it is a time to remember the lives they led and the many things they enjoyed during that life. Death is a part of life, and so we honor it. Dia de los Muertos at Olvera Street is the only celebration of its kind in Los Angeles – A nine (9) day festival, with altars on display, children’s workshops, face painting, and entertainment throughout.

💀 Old Town Pasadena 💀

November 2 - 4, 2018

Old Pasadena celebrates Dia de los Muertos with the Tour of Altars and more!

Old Pasadena celebrates Day of the Dead, the reverent yet vibrant Mexican holiday that honors loved ones who have passed before us. During the three-day event, numerous Old Pasadena businesses will create beautiful altars in their spaces to showcase during the self-guided Tour of Altars. The weekend also includes three Community Altars, a Salsa dance party with live music and calavera face painting, and pop-up weekend fun. All events are free and open to the public.

💀 Canoga Park 💀

November 4, 2018

Canoga Park celebrates Dia de los Muertos with music, chalk artists, a car show and more!

This annual street festival is a traditional cultural event that celebrates the ancient Mexican and Central American traditions of paying homage to loved ones who have passed. Festivities are continuous all day in historic Downtown Canoga Park, a recipient of the All-American City Award, and showcase live musical entertainment, vendors, international foods, calaveras, artists’ exhibits, altar displays, a children’s art pavilion, and a large classic car show.

#animationisfamily #dayofthedead #diadelosmuertos #canogapark #olverastreet #pasadena #losangeles

Celebrating Labor Day with the LADYist

This week, we're highlighting the LADYist!

Laist.com celebrates Labor Day 2018 with the introduction of it's newest column: the LADYist. 

While Labor Day belongs to all workers, we know our working moms deserve a high-5 for going above and beyond every day. For it's debut post, the LADYist asked Los Angeles moms to share their stories. Over 100 of our best and brightest responded with tales of heroism, laughter, and making it work here in L.A. (Keep an eye out for our own animation moms featured in the column!) 

Working moms, we salute you.

#animationisfamily #negotiations2018 #laborday #workingmom