Peter Jurado (He/Him) is an illustrator and writer who has worked with brands such as Lego, Tongal, and Nickelodeon. Peter studied Digital Arts at KBCC, Media Communications at CSI, and Film abroad in Tours France. In 2022 he was awarded an Arts Grant from Staten Island Arts to produce his live-action children's pilot "Roy Gee and Biv." In 2023 he won the 2nd annual Lego World Builder Pitch Fest for his concept "Detective Bones". It is currently in development with The Lego Group.

What inspired you to pursue your dream, and how did it all begin?

I was inspired to draw and write from a very young age. To reading The Peanuts comic strips to watching Cartoons in the 90s, I wanted to make things like this so badly!

I honestly didn't start pursuing my dream until my mid to late 20s. I was convinced by others that it wasn't a realistic goal. It wasn't until I decided to go back to school did I realize that making a life out of writing and illustrating wasn't impossible, but it would be hard. Studying screen writing, digital illustration and media communications was all a labor of love that set me on the path that I'm on now.

Can you share a defining moment in your journey that shaped your perspective and fueled your passion?

In 2016 I was very fortunate to be able to study Film in France. For a month I was able to absorb a whole new culture with some truly wonderful people. What really shaped my perspective was seeing that their was a whole community of people there who loved what I loved, Animation & Comics. It opened my eyes and I felt connected by something that broke through any language barrier.

How do you handle setbacks and keep pushing forward in the pursuit of your dreams?

There are three things I do.

- Take a step back. I look at all the things I've done, all that I've learned and what I overcame to this point. I remind myself this set back doesn't define my journey, it's just a bump on a long road.

- Take a breath. I go on a walk, have a nice talk with a friend, and watch something that inspires me. It's ok to take a pit-stop and recharge before getting back on your journey.

- Keep at it. My screenwriting teacher, Professor Couchman, always preached "keep writing". Even if you don't want to, even if there is truly nothing to write about, just keep writing. Eventually something will come of it.

Are there specific individuals who have inspired you along the journey?

I think this is a question I can't really answer. So many people have inspired me up to this point. There are family members, friends, other creatives and individuals I've never even met that have all given me inspiration at some point on my journey.

How do you maintain a balance between pursuing your dreams and handling everyday responsibilities?

Between my job, freelance work, personal projects and home life, I mostly make my own day to day schedule. It sounds nice at first, but it's alot of time management and keeping myself in check. Making a To-Do list is really the only way I get everything done.

How do you overcome self-doubt and stay confident in your abilities?

I don't think I've ever overcome this. Instead I remind myself that all of the greatest artists and writers have had moments of self-doubt and feeings of imposter syndrome. It's something that I always carry on my shoulder, it keeps me humble.

Can you share a memorable success story or achievement that resulted from your determination?

It was definitely winning the Lego Pitch Fest in 2023. To have my work recognized as something of value by people working in the industry I love, for a company I admire, truly made me feel like my hard work was paying off.

In what ways do you stay motivated during challenging times?

Looking at other people's work. Seeing what others have created always makes me want to create.

What dream are you living right now?

Unfortunately there's nothing I can really talk about right now. I'm currently working on two NDA projects and I'm working on several new pitches.

However, my live action short "Roy Gee & Biv" is making it's way through film fest selections and will be available to watch on YouTube soon.

What advice would you give to someone with a dream?

It's never too late. There will never be a perfect time to start pursuing your dreams, but that also means there's no end date on your dreams either. Don't worry about where others are on their own journeys and don't fear what might go wrong. Focus on your path, your happiness and just run your own race.

Website: https://www.peterjurado.com/home

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/Juradopeter

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