What is Eat Rice?
Hello! This is Eat Rice Studio—helmed by Mel McCann, a versatile freelance animator, studio lead, and cat mom. At Eat Rice, collaboration is vital. Whether you're an individual client or a bustling studio, you can tap into Mel's creative badassery for your animation projects or harness the full breadth of our studio's talent pool for comprehensive production support. From curating a specialized ‘cel’ team to handling character animation, storyboarding, and design, we can oversee every aspect of production. Eat Rice has the adaptability to meet the needs of any project.
Who is Mel McCann?
With 10+ years of experience as a freelance character animator and storyboard artist, Mel brings expertise to every project. Her tenure as an animation instructor at the College for Creative Studies spans over a decade, reflecting her commitment to nurturing talent and sharing her passion for the craft.
Renowned for her adaptability across various animation styles, Mel takes pride in delivering compelling character performances that resonate with audiences. She thrives on the challenge of crafting intricate scenes, infusing each project with a heartfelt touch.
In 2016, Mel established Eat Rice—a platform that has allowed her to forge meaningful connections with studios and partners, enriching her journey in the animation industry. Throughout the years, Mel has been privileged to collaborate on numerous projects, each contributing to her diverse portfolio and expanding her creative horizons.
How does Eat Rice Manage Extensive Production Demands?
Drawing on her background as an instructor and freelancer, Mel McCann possesses a rich network of talented alumni and colleagues. With a keen eye for assembling the perfect team, Eat Rice Studio seamlessly taps into its vast network when a project calls for a specialized crew comprising of cel animators, storyboard artists, compositors, and visual developers. Tailoring the team to meet the unique requirements of each project, Mel ensures that only the most skilled and personable professionals come aboard, guaranteeing exceptional quality and results every single time.
Creative Partners
(folks we work with on the regular)
JESSICA ROWDEN
Character Animator & Compositor
WATTY WATKINS
Visual Developer
BOXFORT
Animation Collective
Why the name “Eat Rice?”
The studio's name, "Eat Rice," has a heartfelt origin story rooted in friendship and loss. Named after a spontaneous act of comfort by Mel at a high school hangout, where a silly gesture with rice led to the enduring nickname "Mel-Mel Eat Rice." This nickname took on new meaning after the untimely passing of the friend who inspired it, highlighting the fragility of life. "Eat Rice" serves as a poignant mantra for Mel, symbolizing the importance of embracing the present moment and appreciating the love that surrounds us each day.
