We recently connected with Ernesto Sanz Martinez and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ernesto, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?
From a very young age, I developed a good sense of awareness of what was happening around me. Over time, I learned to reflect on those moments and understand how they came to be. Once I was mature enough to understand that things happen for a reason, I started being more conscious and appreciative of those who came before me, so I could have experience what goes on in my life.
I think the gift of giving isn’t necessarily something you choose; I think it’s something that comes from within, and some have a bigger need to share than others.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a Character Technical Animator at Epic Games, where I focus on bringing digital characters to life through rigging, deformation, and tools. What excites me most about my work is that it sits at the intersection of art and technology, a space where creativity meets precision, and problem-solving becomes an art form in itself.
I was a full-time student and college athlete throughout my undergraduate and master’s studies in animation at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Competing in college tennis while studying full-time was genuinely challenging, forcing me to manage my time down to the minute, but it made me resilient, a skill that has carried me through every stage of my career.
After graduating from SCAD, I had the opportunity to intern at Sony Pictures Imageworks, where I worked on Red One, rigging the reindeer and digital double of J.K. Simmons as Santa. That experience opened my eyes to how deeply scripting and automation can influence production quality and efficiency. From there, I dove deeper into Python scripting, building tools in Maya to speed up rigging workflows.
Today, at Epic, my focus has shifted toward creating more robust and efficient character setups for real-time animation. The transition from film to games has been both challenging and inspiring. It’s pushed me to think differently about performance, interactivity, and scalability. Every day feels like an opportunity to blend artistic intent with technical innovation, whether that’s refining locomotion systems, developing internal tools, or collaborating with animators and modelers to make characters feel more alive.
What I’m most proud of is how much I’ve grown, not just technically, but as a collaborator and problem-solver. Going from an intern to a full-time Technical Animator has taught me that growth happens when you stay curious, ask questions, and never get too comfortable.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Adaptability has played a very important role since I started competing in tennis when I was barely ten. Truth is that my career in 3D has been very much like that, having to find solutions in life to be able to accomplish my goals. The more skills you harness and the more flexible you are, the more valuable you become to a team.
Technical animation is all about teamwork. You’re constantly interfacing with modelers, animators, and engineers, and how well you communicate can make or break a pipeline. I’ve learned that the best solutions come from listening first and building trust across departments. For anyone new to the field, focus on developing soft skills alongside your technical ones. Ask questions, explain your process clearly, and be generous with your knowledge.
Last but not least, it’s all about curiosity. The more you dare to question and ask, the more you will be able to find yourself in an interesting conversation. In life, people tend to enjoy sharing, finding the moment, and asking will get you a long way!
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I’ve learned it usually comes from not creating for myself. I start to feel disconnected if I’m not nurturing my own creative side.
Whenever new ideas pop into my head, I jot them down immediately in a note on my phone. It’s a simple habit, but it helps me clear my mind while keeping that creative spark alive. Later, when things slow down, I revisit those notes and turn some of them into small personal projects.
That process keeps me grounded. It reminds me why I started doing this in the first place, because I love creating, exploring, and learning. My advice to anyone who feels overwhelmed is to get away from the screen and give yourself space to make something just for you. No pressure, no deadlines, just creation for the sake of curiosity. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need to recharge.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ernestosanzmartinez.wixsite.com/portfolio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by.ernst
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernestosanzmartinez
Image Credits
The first image is from Nick Manning’s short film – El Patrimonio de Xiuhcoatl
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
