On My Radar: Balázs & Cátia

What website(s) do you use most regularly?

B: Google. Duh! Jokes aside though, it's not a guaranteed answer. I look up a lot of maths theorems when developing and ChatGPT (even if still subject to hallucinations) is simply faster.

C: I use apps a lot more these days, but my top go-to websites are Reddit and YouTube, be it for entertainment or learning; and my favourite magazine, The Spectator, for its thoughtful commentary on politics, culture and current affairs.

What’s the most recent piece of tech that you’ve bought?

B: A bunch of ultra-mini surface mount detection switches (components to detect movement). I’m into robotics lately, and I’ve been trying my luck creating small, mechanical contraptions. It’s an exciting hobby as long as you enjoy broken motors, mysterious software bugs and endless 3D printing!

C: My computer and phone. Both purely out of necessity, as they were on their last legs, refusing to work!

What product could you not live without?

B: I will sound like a snob, but it has to be my coffee grinder! There’s nothing like kicking a day off with the smell of freshly ground coffee.

C: Any device that connects me to music. I guess, in this day and age, it is safe to say that would be a combination of my phone and earphones. Whether I am sad, happy or simply in need of inspiration, music is something that I truly cannot live without.

What’s the best animated film you’ve seen over the last year?

B: Not an animated film, but the biggest impact a movie had on me lately was William Friedkin’s Sorcerer. The scene in which they cross the bridge is one of cinema’s most nerve-wreckingly suspenseful ones. I had to re-learn how to breathe. That said, I’m very curious to see Flow - it’s next on my list!

C: I can’t help but answer with an absolute classic, The Muppet Christmas Carol. It’s become a bit of a festive tradition for me in recent years and it never gets old. The catchy songs, the recognisable characters, the humour and the masterful storytelling of Charles Dickens. What’s not to love?

What animated film do you think everyone should have seen?

B: The Lion King! You will never be prepared enough for the stampede, and you will never be too old to then look into puddles, and up at the clouds.

C: Coco. Its exceptional visuals and deep cultural richness tell a story that transcends both language and age - that alone is a good enough reason to watch it. But, beyond that, music in this film becomes a narrative device, shown to be much more than entertainment - a vessel for memory, love and identity. That final rendition of Remember Me is arguably one of the most beautiful and profoundly moving moments in animation history.

What’s your preferred social media platform?

C: Reddit. It is not about how you look, but more about how you think.

B: I keep my social media time balanced, but Instagram’s my jam when I want to see what's going on!

What’s your favourite animated TV show?

B: Bojack Horseman. The perfect combination of funny and depressing!

C: It’s extremely hard to choose, especially considering how much Cartoon Network played a meaningful role throughout my childhood and the years that followed. I’ll always have a soft spot for shows like Regular Show, or The Misadventures of Flapjack because they blend wild creativity with surreal humour in an unforgettable way. But if I had to choose my favourite as of recent years, well, I did buy a hat like Louise’s bunny ears, so I have got to say Bob’s Burgers. It’s endlessly charming and wholesome, and it's got some great puns and tunes! Also, who doesn’t want to be like Linda?

What’s your favourite podcast?

B: Not a podcast per se, but my workout companions are usually the debates of Alex O’Connor. I’m a sucker for topics about free will, consciousness and faith, all of which are easy to question when doing push ups!

C: Hidden Brain. It dives deep into the human mind in a relatable and compelling way, reflecting on why we behave the way we do, and the hidden forces that shape our choices.

What show/exhibition has most inspired you recently?

B: The Judy Chicago exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery was a memorable one. I loved the idea of rethinking visual culture in an alternative world led by women. I found the architectural ideas particularly interesting. Most of our buildings and monuments represent a typically masculine strength, but what if that approach was challenged by forms that represent safety and fertility instead? I found the idea fascinating, and for a few days I couldn’t help but look at everything around me as if I looked at them the very first time.

C: Hamilton. Although music is my biggest source of inspiration, I was never particularly drawn to musicals. I always preferred music as a more personal and emotional experience rather than a theatrical spectacle. This show has completely redefined that perspective.

What’s the most significant change you’ve witnessed in the animation industry since you started working in it?

B: Since I started working in animation we’ve gone through an incredible democratisation of tools. Every kid is a CG wizard nowadays, and it’s incredible what you can achieve on a home setup. The competition is fierce, AI will streamline even more tasks, and that will have consequences on how we work.. The computerised filmmaking workflow seems unbeatable. But with that, the wow-factor of CGI is officially gone. People feel they’ve already seen everything. It doesn’t hurt when your film looks great, but everyone’s had enough of junk food visuals. Now, more than ever, people want good stories, told in a novel way - a feeling that becomes all the more apparent as technology becomes more available. Which makes uncommon approaches and handmade craft cooler than ever. Yes, tech can streamline some processes, but the biggest brands will continue to pride themselves on having inimitable voices.

C: There appears to be a growing trend to push animation beyond children’s entertainment. While it has historically explored mature themes, what I’ve noticed recently is an acceleration and mainstreaming of this trend, making it a more prominent part of popular culture, rather than just niche or cult works. And the variety of topics is expanding too, diving into challenging subject matter that resonates deeply with adult audiences - like mental health, politics, identity - often through innovative storytelling techniques and styles.

Who or what has most influenced your career? 

B: Deadlines and loved ones! The world of animation is pure creativity, but it can make you feel like you can create anything you want. It’s so easy to daydream about the biggest ideas… all you have to do is put in the time, right? Unfortunately, animation is also insanely time intensive. The balance between work and life can easily become fickle. What’s even worse, if there were no time limits, nothing would ever be finished. The concept of focus erodes in the idea of eternity. So thank you, deadlines! But even with deadlines, the industry will happily push you beyond your limits. On the other hand, loved ones see you as a living being and will remind you when to stop. If not for them, I’d certainly be consumed. 

C: Music and philosophy have been the biggest influences on my career. Together, they push me to create work that resonates both emotionally and intellectually. One inspires me for its ability to tell stories without words, striking chords in ways that - dare I say - surpass both language and visuals. The other encourages me to aim for thoughtful and thought-provoking pieces.

If there was one thing you could change about the advertising industry, what would it be?

B: If AI makes filmmaking available for all, exceptional ideas and room for experimentation will become key to stand out from the crowd. It will be more important than ever to foster good client-artist relationships.

C: I’d love to see more self-reflective humour. It’s just one of the many ways you can break down barriers and allow audiences to truly connect. All in all, when brands stop worrying so much about looking perfect and start focusing on meaningful and honest conversations, advertising can become more about building trust, and that shift can make ads far more enjoyable, memorable and effective.

What scares you the most?

In unison: Losing my loved ones.