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Joaquin Baldwin

Biography

After Joaquin Baldwin decided that he wanted to study animation and design in the United States, he spent several years building a strong portfolio, teaching himself new skills mostly through the Internet. At the same time, he advanced his career by working as a Web designer and animator for a company in his home country, Paraguay. "I was dealing with very big clients in important meetings without even being able to grow a decent bulk of facial hair," he says.

Joaquin is excited about pursuing his masters in animation at UCLA because of the program's focus on writing and composition. "I feel that I have a strong foundation in the use of software and different animation techniques, but the most important part is always to tell a good story," he says.

In addition to adjusting to life in a new country and excelling in his studies, Joaquin found time for volunteer activities, including helping to start a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity and teaching art classes to children. Long term, he wants to direct his own films, though he does not rule out returning to one of his original interests: biology. "There are too many forks in the road, and each one offers unique opportunities, the important thing is to keep walking and never stop."

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