We are artists.
Let us guess: you had a dream, worked hard for it, and have been ground down by an unforgiving industry in crisis. Like you, we grew tired of waiting for permission from major studios to create quality work or get our first break—so we decided to act.
Emerging Artists Animation (EAA) was created to provide a platform for artists to connect, collaborate, and thrive in a landscape with limited opportunities, serving as a first step toward a fulfilling long-term career. At EAA, artists gain valuable real-world experience by collaborating on high-quality animated shorts. These projects allow you to build your portfolio, showcase your talent, and take control of your creative future.
Daniel Pollok
-
Daniel is an emerging producer passionate about animation and production management. After spending many years in live-action production, Daniel transitioned to the animation industry and struggled to find opportunities to build demonstrable experience in production management. Noticing that many other artists faced similar challenges in their respective specialties, he was inspired to create Emerging Artists Animation—a platform where artists could collaborate, build experience, and prepare for studio roles.
Over the past year, Daniel has produced an award-winning animated short, A Library of Options, and received mentorship through the Creators Society Animation Organization, where he chairs the Membership Committee and is part of the Producers Branch. He is currently producing Eterna-Life, Emerging Artists Animation's first short, and collaborating with partners Ambrose and Becca to grow the platform's impact in the animation industry.
Previously, Daniel worked as the primary executive assistant for a leading entertainment attorney and independent film producer. Before that, he spent many years working as an executive assistant and associate producer for a writer/director and his production company. He's been closely involved in the production of many feature films, award-winning shorts, and theatre productions.
Daniel holds a degree in Entertainment Media Management from California State University, Northridge, where he graduated in 2021.
Becca Battoe
-
Born and raised in Louisville, KY, Becca's journey in the performing arts began at the young age of 12 when she danced with the Louisville Ballet for their production of "The Nutcracker." Her passion for dance led her to the Youth Performing Arts School where she majored in dance during high school. Becca's dedication to her craft continued as she pursued her BFA in Theatre, with an emphasis in Musical Theatre and a concentration in Dance, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Northern Kentucky University.
Upon completing her studies, Becca ventured to Los Angeles, where she made a name for herself in the entertainment industry. Her talents as a creator were recognized with multiple award nominations and wins: as actor, writer and producer. She's most famously known for her work on the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy audiobooks. As a writer, Becca achieved significant milestones by selling a pitch to Adult Swim and securing a shopping deal with Electus for two of her original series.
Becca couldn't have been happier to meet production manager Daniel Pollok while serving as the creative lead on the award-winning animated short, "A Library of Options." Their collaborative efforts led to the establishment of Emerging Artists Animation, an exciting milestone in Becca's creative journey.
In addition to her accomplishments in the entertainment industry, Becca is the proud owner of Aerialogists, an event company specializing in wellness, aerial bar catering, and diverse entertainment options. Her commitment to creating magical experiences for others shines through in all her endeavors, and she is excited about the future possibilities that lie ahead.
Ambrose Reed
-
Ambrose Reed is an illustrator and art director obsessed with beauty, storytelling, and community. As an artist, Ambrose deeply believes in the value of creative work to shift culture, delight, and inspire, and wants to help create a new rung on the ladder for talented artists, which led to his involvement in the founding of EAA. He believes that creatives must develop spaces for themselves, taking ownership of their work and believing wholeheartedly in their own value, and is determined to make EAA that kind of space.
Originally from St. Louis, Ambrose made his way to Los Angeles to join the animation industry and its intrinsically collaborative creative process. Ambrose previously worked as an in-house graphic designer for coworking brand CIC before beginning his freelance career in 2020. Since then, he has created work in countless formats for a robust client base including local small businesses, NYU’s Bernstein Institute, green energy startups, and more. He is interested in storytelling and creative expression across all media, having co-developed the video game Somnium Tenebris and released several albums under the band name Fatal Flaws. You can find more about Ambrose on his portfolio and Instagram.
Benefits of Collaborating with EAA
Collaborative Portfolio Building: Join a team of like-minded artists to create animated shorts that you can showcase in your portfolio, highlighting your contributions and creativity.
Hands-On Experience: Gain real-world production experience by participating in structured, time-bound projects that simulate the demands and collaborative nature of the animation industry.
Resume Enhancement: Boost your resume with tangible experience in animation production, demonstrating your ability to work within a team, meet deadlines, and contribute to a completed project.
Artist Ownership and Rights: Retain joint ownership of every short you contribute to, ensuring you have the rights to showcase your work and benefit from the experience alongside your fellow collaborators.
Professional Growth, Not Profit: Our projects are designed for hands-on learning and resume building, with no commercial intent. This is a space where you can develop your skills, collaborate with peers, and create a portfolio of work—all without the pressures of profit-driven production.
Flexible Commitment: Contribute to projects that align with your schedule—each short will only be 1-3 minutes long, requiring just a few hours of work per week, depending on your role and when your section begins, making it easy to fit into your busy life.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with a community of emerging artists, animators, and editors, opening doors to future collaborations and expanding your professional network.
In May 2025, we completed our first animated short as a collective! We are seeking animators, character artists, background artists, and storyboard artists to join our dynamic volunteer team for future projects.
If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, submit your info, and we’ll be in touch as we assemble a team.