ET: Hi, you can introduce yourself.

NB: I’m Nan Besse.

ET: And what grade are you in?

NB: Ninth grade.

ET: So I know you’ve told me a lot before about the different art mediums that you do. Could you just explain, like, what types of art you do most often?

NB: Sure yeah I like to do just hand drawings like on paper but I also I’m trying to do like animation and kind of stop motion digitally using the art. I guess, but those are like my two main ones.

ET: And are you currently learning how to complete that?

NB: Yes.

ET: Okay, what are you doing to learn towards and to get to that goal?

NB: I’m just reading a lot of books, honestly. I’m kind of trying to self teach myself. I’m also like taking two camps in the summer, and then hopefully, taking two semester classes next year.

ET: Where did you get the idea to kind of take your hand-drawn drawings and bring it towards animation?

NB: Honestly, I’ve always thought that was really cool because I loved watching movies like as a kid and still do now, and then I love writing on the side. So it’s kind of like getting to combine the two of them into something that a bunch of other people can see, and enjoy just like not just writing and not just drawing because it’s kind of like choosing between both of them as hard, so just choosing something that combines the two of them. It’s pretty cool.

ET: Do you think animation and, like, stop motion that type of like video art is more accessible to a lot of people are like, or like more people like willing to see it.

NB: Yeah. Definitely, since I mean like going in the future, it’s kind of media and movies and films kind of like where it’s kind of going I feel like. Not as much about books,  I mean I love books and writing a book like you’re doing was really cool, but it’s just, I think in the future. I think that’s kind of where art is going is more towards like digitally and as more technology grows.

ET: Do you think it is as part of the reason why you’re trying to go into like digital art is to like to get yourself, like, in, out, in, like, the artistic community more and get yourself like more well known? Are you thinking about that?

NB: Like, as a career?

ET: Yeah.

NB: Yes, I actually like as a career option I would like actually be like an animation director. Someday, but like, I don’t know I just like thinking, just like starting now would be better than waiting until college when I don’t know the skill so I think I’ve already had a good foundation since I’ve been drawing since I was like really young, and then over the years by developing my interest is just kind of helping me more, I guess.

ET: So you mentioned a few times I really love like literature as well. And you said that it impacts, like, as part of the reason why you want to do animation as well. Could you go into like more detail how literature has impacted your art, like over the years or is it just like a new thing?

NB: I mean, like writing. I mean, I always been kind of loved writing I wasn’t like it was you know just like the bad, you know, typical stories but then I just kind of got really interested in history of it so I started without any stories around like historical stuff and then, you know, adding genres that I love like fantasy and mystery to it. And so it’s like since fifth grade it’s like really grown. And then I realized that around seventh grade that I was like hey, I can really combine these two. And I can illustrate scenes and like things like as I’m thinking in my head and just share with people that would be cool. Yeah.

ET: Does it make it easier for you to, like, figure out the story if you’re able to draw and figure it out.

NB: Yeah, definitely also like characters and stuff. Cuz I love drawing the people in different styles I think just like visualizing at first because like when you draw, there’s just so much that you don’t actually realize it just like writing about it but if you draw it out, you kind of like force yourself to be like Hey, like this is what I want.

ET: Do you have any like good mentors or like favorite animations that you would you like to turn to for inspiration.

NB: I mean, like as far as like studios, I mean like obviously all the big ones like DreamWorks was the first one that I really liked and obviously like, a bunch of like, I guess like Japanese animation studios are pretty cool. Like studio Ghibli and then another one that I don’t remember the name of, but that one and then also like as far as like film directors like Peter Docter and Tim Burton. That’s kind of like, that’s where I was like, first introduced into like the mystery kind of creepy genre. Yeah

ET: When were you first introduced into like drawing?

NB: I’m not actually sure I started drawing when I was like, four and then just kind of like, did it every day. I think. After watching like, my first DreamWorks movie, I think it was like how to train a dragon or something? Yeah, I don’t know. I kind of just started off drawing you know, like the fairies and like the princesses and stuff, and then just kind of like grew up into different stuff.

ET: So, like, in your, like, regular like, day. Since you are, you know, high school student I always takes up a lot of time. When do you find the time to, like, be artistic?

NB: Sometimes you just can’t, but I mean, just trying to do it. I turned to like, get all my work done as soon as possible, like time management during school hours. And then, like, at night success. For me personally, like all of my ideas come flushing at night. Just kind of inconvenient sometimes, but then I just kind of like trying reserved something. I can just be creative, but sometimes it just doesn’t work. Yeah.

ET: Yeah. Cuz I know a lot of high school students. Like, don’t feel like they have enough time to be artistic and definitely, like, put in the time for their hobbies. So do you just think it’s a matter of like finding the time? Or do you have to, like say no to other things in order to make sure you have time for this?

NB: I don’t really know. Like, know. I don’t. Okay, sorry.

ET: So you said that you really love drawing like fairies and more fantasy, but like, you obviously put history and stuff in there. To the fantasy side of it. Like, where did that come from? Is that just something that you’ve always been, like, interested in?

NB: Or, I mean, fantasies, always, like, I’ve always been interested in is kind of not that case anymore. I mean, like, I don’t draw like, that was like me in like, second grade. But then, like combining with history, I think they’re kind of started, just like, I really don’t know how it started it just kind of happened. And then I just started writing mysteries and like fancy like if this were to happen in older setting, and then just kind of like I don’t’ know how to describe it, but.

ET: Well, thank you very much for sitting down with me today.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Besse believes that animation and movie is the future of art and has a plan to become an director in the future.