From Studio Life to Being Your Own Boss: Fraser Munro on Freelance Motion Design

In this episode, I sit down with animator Fraser Munro to trace his journey from a latchkey kid watching cartoons to becoming a seasoned animator and freelancer. Fraser shares how his early love of animation led him to train at Freelance Animation School, his 13-year stint in NZ animation studios, and eventually his transition to freelancing from Foxton Beach.

We talk about the realities of shifting from studio life to working independently, and what it truly means to be your own boss — from managing stress and health, to shouldering full responsibility for clients, projects, and business growth. Fraser reflects on how freelancing pushed him to expand his skills, build stronger client relationships, and rediscover his creativity. He also opens up about working alongside his partner, adapting to industry changes like social media content and AI, and why “making things look cool” still has a place in animation. We also chat about the amazing connections he has made by being a part of the Motion Designers Guild Aotearoa!

This is an inspiring and practical conversation for anyone navigating the creative industry, whether you’re in a studio or carving out your own path as a freelancer.

Check out Frasers work here: https://character.ninja/

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