D&AD Jury President and Salon Alpin Director Simon Griesser discusses the year's Pencil-winning animation, components of craft excellence and factors influencing the future of the discipline with Le Cube partner and Final Frontier Executive Producer Gustavo Karam.

In this candid conversation Griesser reveals the pluses and minuses of heading up a jury over Zoom and how the process measured up to his expectations. He discusses the democratising effect of working over video conference, gender balance on the jury, and the intimacy of seeing into your co-workers' homes. “You can reach people much faster than before… People are at your fingertips,” Griesser explains.

Karam then delves into making work while negotiating the impact of Covid-19, asking Griesser about the role of animation during a tricky time for physical shoots, and how the crisis has facilitated a more international approach to recruiting artists and freelancers.

“Since many productions had to be put on hold and people had to work from home, production companies considered hiring artists from completely different places,” he says. “This could open doors for artists who aren’t willing or have no possibility of relocating."

He also sheds light on the jury's selection criteria and supplies tips on how to secure a coveted Black Pencil. Highlighting labour, storytelling and that must-see X-factor, Griesser breaks down how the jury made their decisions, and gives great insight into what those submitting work should keep in mind.

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