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Say Hello blog with Carlos Arreloa

Say Hello to NMCO’s Video Editor, VFX Specialist and Animator

NMCO’s Animator and Video Specialist Carlos A. Arreola always brings a great amount of enthusiasm and heart to every project he gets his hands on. His motivation comes from the most creative and efficient way to convey an idea.

Q: What made you interested in pursuing Animation as a career?

Carlos Arreola (CA): It was the tool rather than the art itself that made me an animator. When I was in middle school, my father thought he was getting me Premiere for my birthday since I was really into film making. However, not knowing the name of the software really well, he got me After Effects and Flash instead. That was the CS3 version that was released in 2007. I quickly felt inspired by the idea of creating moving content without using a camera. Since then, it’s been my passion to learn new tools to convey the client’s vision.

Q: How is Motion graphics different from Video Production?

CA: I believe they’re both very beneficial when it comes to promoting a business. However, I believe motion graphics can potentially do more with less. A video production can film a tree in the most beautiful way, however, there are thousands of ways that you can draw/animate a tree.

Q: How do you think social media is changing video?

CA: Social Media can be challenging for animation. It requires faster and consistent productions in order for the content to be visible, which may limit creativity. The great thing about this is that new technology is coming out to speed up this process. No one really knows what the next step for animation will be, but as we’re getting faster and stronger and more advanced computers, the animation will improve and become something unique.

Q: What do you love about working at a creative agency such as NMCO?

CA: I get to work with graphic designers and videographers that increase the quality value of my work exponentially. We all learn from each other in this place, and there’s something unique about NMCO that makes you show your best in each project.

Q: Top 3 favorite Animated Movies?
CA:
– The Illusionist (Animated movie by Sylvain Chomet, not the Ed Norton one)
– The Hunchback of NotreDame
– Klaus

Q: What’s your approach to an animated production at NMCO?

CA: Time Budget and References are always a priority. There are so many ways you can get an animation done, so we want to be efficient. We get the reference images and an idea of what we’ll be making. Once that’s clear, we move on to the script, graphic production ( from the Graphic Department), and voice-over process before we start working on the animation. After all this, the animation is almost a straightforward process. I usually try to find a new way to challenge my animation skills to improve in each project.

Q: What’s on your Animation bucket list?

CA: To direct and animate a whole music album! I love the Graphic style of Gorillaz and that’s something I’ve always wanted to try for myself.

Q: If you weren’t doing Animation, what other types of projects would you work on?

CA: Website programming. Another thing that I love from NMCO Media is that they embody all the skills I want to master. I want to be able to master graphic design and web development, and potentially assist my coworkers in those areas.

Q: What would you like to teach people about what you do?

CA: Never underestimate animation! It can do so much for your business! Watch some TV or check out your favorite social media pages and identify how much animation is involved. You’ll be surprised!

Q: What can we expect to see from you?

CA: Great enthusiasm and creativity!

Q: What projects have you completed with NMCO Media?

CA: Well, most of our clients have had a degree of animation involved. Our retainer clients have been able to enjoy these types of services the most. However, some of my favorite projects have been:

Otero County Census
This was a fully animated campaign! Our graphic design team did a great job providing the graphics that I used for this project. The goal was to promote the 2020 census through information provided by a cute little character that would move through the screen. It was so fun! In the end, we were able to provide more than 15 videos for this client. These videos were featured on social media, websites, and TV.

Desert Sun
This is one of my favorite projects to work on from one of our retainer clients. Animation plays a great factor in the production of these videos. From terrifying dinosaurs to genies, this successful dealership features incredible animations and videos in order to promote their vehicles.

8Beat films
This is a VFX project. I was the lead on this very short and sweet task: to remove and replace the screens shown in the short film. People usually forget that Motion Graphics also involves skills in Visual Effects on video. Working on this short film and watching the finished product was a very satisfying experience.

Logos!
I just LOVE animating logos. It certainly gives a unique personalized feeling to the brand that people can remember. Make sure to check out our Animation reel! There’s so much we can do for your business!

NMCO Studio member, Kahlo

Kahlo

Door Greeter & Cookie Eater

Kahlo is our gentle, friendly, office pup! He loves his belly rubbed, sniffing absolutely everything, and hasn’t found a treat he wouldn’t eat! Be sure to say hi, he loves the attention!

NMCO Studio member, Kelsey

Kelsey Gentile

Web Specialist

Once those websites are complete, Kelsey is our web maintenance manager. From regular updates, security checks, and content updates, Kelsey keeps our websites running smoothly, secure, and in tip-top shape.

NMCO Studio member, Annakat

Anna Kat Hollis

Senior Web Developer

Anna Kat is the driving force behind NMCO’s web development endeavors. With a sharp intellect, unwavering efficiency, and a keen eye for goals, she is the go-to expert for crafting everything from sleek landing pages to nationally acclaimed e-commerce sites. Anna Kat not only serves as your trusted web developer guide but also, if you look closely, you’ll notice she’s always impeccably color-coordinated with NMCO’s brand – a true testament to her attention to detail and commitment to the company’s image.

Zac Wittstruck

Animator

If you’re needing quality animation, Zac is your guy! Motion graphics, custom character rigging, and 2D animation are some of Zac’s specialties. Zac always wears a smile and is truly one of the nicest people you’ll meet. When Zac isn’t whipping out great animations, he plays bass guitar for a local jazz band! What a cool cat!

NMCO Studio member, Arron

Aaron Walterscheid

Video Specialist & Cinematographer

Meet Aaron, NMCO’s “Silent Assassin.” Despite his quiet demeanor, Aaron is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to videography, editing, color grading, drone operation, lighting, and crafting unforgettable cinematic experiences. His remarkable talent and expertise shine brightly, leaving an indelible mark on every project he touches.

NMCO Studio member, Sam

Sam Palm

Video Specialist & Photographer

Meet Sam, our resident photographer extraordinaire, who effortlessly transitions into the roles of Director of Photography, editor, color specialist, and an all-around Jack-of-all-trades. With an innate talent for capturing picture-perfect moments, Sam’s versatility knows no bounds. Beyond the camera, you’ll find him cruising the Southwest, embracing life to the fullest. Oh, and did we mention he boasts a head of truly great hair? 

NMCO Studio member, Ralph

Ralph Diaz

Senior Video Specialist

Don’t confuse Ralph with Academy Award-winning actor Johnny Depp. Although there’s a close resemblance, Ralph is much more talented behind the camera. He’s done it all from VFX to animation, to producing, directing, and editing some of our most memorable productions. It also should come as no surprise that he’s mastered the technical and practical aspects of videography, giving him the nickname, “The Doctor.”

NMCO Studio member, Dana

Dana Apodaca

Senior Graphic Designer & Art Director

Dana’s journey with NMCO has been nothing short of impressive, starting as a design intern and progressing to become a designer who now plays a pivotal role in assisting with art direction. Her dedication keeps our graphics department on track and ensures our processes are efficient and business-ready. Dana’s knack for creating identity systems has resulted in some of our most recognized work. And, if you’re fortunate enough to listen in, she’s consistently voted the best playlist in the studio.

NMCO Studio member

Dawn Franco

Studio Manager

With a background in journalism, file archival and organization, Dawn is our client onboarding extraordinaire. From contract preparation, to project management, account direction, and reporting, Dawn stirs the pot for most productions, making sure it’s served hot and on time.

NMCO Studio Co founder, Lucky

Lucky Gonzalez

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

When you have a wealth of creative content, you need someone like Lucky with 18 years of business experience to guide you on where to put it. He’s our media placement guru, with the expertise and know-how to maximize your impact. Whether it’s digital banner ads or broadcast TV, Lucky can take any budget and transform it into impressions and conversions. He’s dedicated to finding solutions for your unique challenges, making him an invaluable asset to our team.

NMCO Studio member, Tina

Christina Ballew

Founder & Chief Creative Officer

Tina, as a co-founder of NMCO, has been on a relentless mission to redefine creative services in the southwest. Building a creative studio from the ground up was a formidable challenge, but her vision and determination have transformed NMCO into a beacon of professionalism and innovation, known for its people-centric approach and out-of-the-box thinking. While she’s taken on nearly every role in the studio, Tina’s next ambition is nothing short of global. She’s poised to take on the world with her creative endeavors.