Bobby Pontillas, a Filipino American animator renowned for designing characters in popular films such as “Frozen” and “Moana,” recently made history as he created the first-ever Filipino Muppet, TJ, for “Sesame Street.” In a conversation with Insider reporter Yoonji Han, Pontillas discussed the challenges he faced as a person of color trying to break into the animation industry. Drawing played a significant role in Pontillas’ childhood, as he grew up as the only child of a single parent, his mother, who served in the US Navy after growing up in the Philippines. Pontillas developed his artistic skills by drawing characters he saw in the media and on TV, such as the Ninja Turtles, Conan the Barbarian, and Top Gun fighter jets. His love for drawing continued through high school, during which he explored graffiti and hip-hop-inspired artwork. Despite initially considering joining the Navy like his mother, Pontillas eventually pursued art school at his mother’s encouragement. It was while watching the film “Tarzan” with his mother in 1999 that Pontillas realized his true passion for animation. The movie’s dynamic and visually stunning animation captured his imagination, and he became determined to bring drawings to life and make a lasting impact through his creations. However, Pontillas faced obstacles on his journey to becoming a Disney animator. He initially joined the local video game industry in Seattle as a concept artist before deciding to pursue his dream of becoming a Disney animator. Pontillas took online classes, worked his day job, and networked with mentors until he finally landed a position at Blue Sky Studios, known for movies like “Ice Age” and “Rio.” In 2011, after eleven years of pursuing his dreams, Pontillas achieved his goal and secured a job at Disney Animation. Stepping onto the Disney campus for the first time was a surreal experience for Pontillas, who reflected on the support he received from friends, family, mentors, and teachers throughout his journey. While at Disney, Pontillas worked on character animations for films such as “Frozen,” “Moana,” and “Big Hero 6.” As an underrepresented voice in the industry, Pontillas faced challenges in feeling comfortable telling the stories that resonated with his own experiences. However, he emphasized that the film industry and artists today are much more open-minded and supportive of cultural representation and telling diverse stories. Pontillas got the opportunity to tell a story close to his heart when he designed the first Filipino Muppet, TJ, for “Sesame Street.” Inspired by his friends’ children, Pontillas aimed to make TJ as authentic and genuine as possible, drawing from his own cultural background and heritage. The representation of diverse voices in animation has become increasingly important in recent years. Pontillas and three fellow animators even founded the Rise Up Organization in 2020, with the goal of supporting people of color interested in pursuing careers in animation. Pontillas believes that storytelling from diverse creators can break down barriers, foster understanding, and bring about positive change in society.
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