Latino Spotlight: 'The Star' Story Artist Art Hernandez Talks Shop

The Star animation movie

Art Hernandez was born in the right city to achieve his dream of becoming an animator. Born in Los Angeles to Mexican immigrants, Arturo “Art” Hernandez was recruited by Disney Animation in Burbank at the age of 22 where he worked as a story artist on the four Tinker Bell features, CARS, and the Head of Story on PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE. After 18 years, he left Disney Animation for Sony Pictures Animation to pursue his dream of directing an animated feature. While he works on his directorial debut, he lent his talents as a story artist on THE STAR, and he describes his day-to-day job as story artist and how an animated movie all comes together. Listen below.

Art Hernandez knew as a kid he wanted to draw for a living. His parents and especially his grandmother encouraged his art from early on. As a thank you to his late grandmother, he listed his full name Arturo Hernandez in THE STAR credits in memory of his late grandmother. His ultimate dream is to direct his own feature film, and Sony Animation is where he’ll be directing his first feature. The line to direct at Disney was a long one which is why he left the premiere animation shop for Sony. He’s currently in development on his debut film.

In Sony Pictures Animation's THE STAR, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a loveable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.

THE STAR is now in movie theaters.

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