Alex Cervantes(II)
- Producer
- Director
- Writer
I was born in Valencia (Spain) with a pencil in my hand... you should have seen the gynecologist's face.
Since I was a kid, I've been drawing, comics, illustration... and animation. At 14, I was already publishing in Camacuc and Metropolis (two national comics. One of them was shut down because I was critical of some politicians XD). Yes, while others were playing soccer, I was drawing corrupt politicians and superheroes with self-esteem issues. My parents spent their lives paying for drawing classes, but animation... nothing. So I taught myself. How? By copying frame by frame "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" on VHS. At home, they still think Eddie Valiant is a distant cousin. Then I studied Arts and Crafts in Valencia. I was so bored in class that I would sneak out with other geeks to draw in empty classrooms. Those classmates... today they draw for Marvel and DC. I'm still waiting for them to let me put Jessica Rabbit in The Avengers.
After that, I worked at a tiny production company, taught myself 3D (again on my own, because it's cheaper than paying for a course), and one day I said, "I'm going to start my own company." People told me I was crazy, that starting a company was impossible and very complicated. Since I'm reckless, I didn't pay much attention and started my animation company called LEX LUTOR. Yes, like Superman's villain, but without the "h." A brilliant idea... until I met the 67 lawyers at DC Comics. So I had to change the name of the company to HAMPA STUDIO (sticking with the villains). Since I'm stubborn and a bit of a maniac, the company started to grow. We went from TV commercials to winning the contest to make The Fluvi´s Adventures. And then came Margarita, my short film nominated for a Goya in 2008. That's when the roller coaster ride began.
Then came the short films, the series, the movies... and insomnia: The End (Animamundi Award 2011) The Shadowsters on HBO and Movistar+ My Talking Tom with over 60 billion views The children's series Cry Babies, BFF, Lucky Bob, Bloopies, Vip Pets, Bubiloons... over 28 billion views. Yes, that's billion with a "b" and then another giant "b." Films such as Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles (Goya, 2 Annecy´s Cristals, EFA, Annie Award nominations, and Oscar shortlist). And lots of gray hairs for free. And other crazy stuff like 200% Wolf, Spiked, Chica y Lobo, The treasure of Barracuda, Memoirs of a man in pijama, Black is Beltza, Mironins (with some more important awards)... and I'm sure I'm forgetting some because some of them are holding doors.
Today, I continue to run Hampa Studio, with more than 230 people and 15 productions underway at the same time. Basically, it's like running a circus, but with more rendering.
And if there's one thing I know for sure, it's that ever since I was that kid copying Roger Rabbit on VHS, every time someone tells me "you can't do that"... I know I'm going to do it.
Since I was a kid, I've been drawing, comics, illustration... and animation. At 14, I was already publishing in Camacuc and Metropolis (two national comics. One of them was shut down because I was critical of some politicians XD). Yes, while others were playing soccer, I was drawing corrupt politicians and superheroes with self-esteem issues. My parents spent their lives paying for drawing classes, but animation... nothing. So I taught myself. How? By copying frame by frame "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" on VHS. At home, they still think Eddie Valiant is a distant cousin. Then I studied Arts and Crafts in Valencia. I was so bored in class that I would sneak out with other geeks to draw in empty classrooms. Those classmates... today they draw for Marvel and DC. I'm still waiting for them to let me put Jessica Rabbit in The Avengers.
After that, I worked at a tiny production company, taught myself 3D (again on my own, because it's cheaper than paying for a course), and one day I said, "I'm going to start my own company." People told me I was crazy, that starting a company was impossible and very complicated. Since I'm reckless, I didn't pay much attention and started my animation company called LEX LUTOR. Yes, like Superman's villain, but without the "h." A brilliant idea... until I met the 67 lawyers at DC Comics. So I had to change the name of the company to HAMPA STUDIO (sticking with the villains). Since I'm stubborn and a bit of a maniac, the company started to grow. We went from TV commercials to winning the contest to make The Fluvi´s Adventures. And then came Margarita, my short film nominated for a Goya in 2008. That's when the roller coaster ride began.
Then came the short films, the series, the movies... and insomnia: The End (Animamundi Award 2011) The Shadowsters on HBO and Movistar+ My Talking Tom with over 60 billion views The children's series Cry Babies, BFF, Lucky Bob, Bloopies, Vip Pets, Bubiloons... over 28 billion views. Yes, that's billion with a "b" and then another giant "b." Films such as Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles (Goya, 2 Annecy´s Cristals, EFA, Annie Award nominations, and Oscar shortlist). And lots of gray hairs for free. And other crazy stuff like 200% Wolf, Spiked, Chica y Lobo, The treasure of Barracuda, Memoirs of a man in pijama, Black is Beltza, Mironins (with some more important awards)... and I'm sure I'm forgetting some because some of them are holding doors.
Today, I continue to run Hampa Studio, with more than 230 people and 15 productions underway at the same time. Basically, it's like running a circus, but with more rendering.
And if there's one thing I know for sure, it's that ever since I was that kid copying Roger Rabbit on VHS, every time someone tells me "you can't do that"... I know I'm going to do it.
