It all started in 2017/18. I was working as a CCTV technician in the UAE, but prior to that time I had experience drawing digitally. You see, animation is something I really love, but I didn’t know where to start.
The year 2018 was coming to an end, and Magic Carpet was then doing its first Magic Lab. I was so lucky because the final registration date was the same day as my flight arrival. So I told my mom to take the luggage home so I could make the registration, which I did.
The boot camp was successful. I met Chekwube Okonkwo, the director and co-founder, Makouchi, and Danjumah, the animation director of the cut-out team.
It was all good and awesome. Afterwards, I was in another studio working, but in 2021 I had a second coming when Chekwube told me Magic Carpet needed animators for Meet the Igwes. I didn’t hesitate because I love the quality of work Magic Carpet produces.
We did tons of projects, but one notable one was Garbage Boy and Trash Can, a different learning curve. Working with Magic Carpet and a foreign studio brought different work ethics, but in the end we did it and the project was successful.
Now, my 4th year working in the studio, one thing I know about Magic Carpet is that when you work here, it’s 100%. Ninety-nine is not good enough; you see it in the animation. Good people, good place. Highly recommend. Love, Oyatokun Gabriel.