Meet James Gunther: From Wires to Wiggly Characters! Once upon a time in the sunny land of Gisborne, James Gunther was just your average electrician, expertly maneuvering through wires and circuits. But after a back-breaking incident—literally—James found himself at a crossroads. After some heartfelt chats with his wife, Rach, who clearly has a knack for seeing potential where others see broken backs, she suggested he follow his artistic dreams. Spoiler alert: he took her advice! With a spark of inspiration (and maybe a few too many cups of coffee), James moved the whanau to Wellywood where he dove into the world of animation, earning a Diploma of Film and Animation and a Bachelor in Animation. Who knew that the kid who doodled in the margins of his textbooks (barely finishing school) would one day be creating animations that could make your heart skip a beat? Now, James and Rach are proud parents of two energetic boys and have embarked on a new adventure: FortyTen Studios! Nestled in the creative hub of Haututu Hacklab in Treble Court, they’re turning their wildest ideas into animated reality—one laugh, one tear, and one epic dance move at a time. James is on a mission to prove that art can pay the bills and is dedicated to sharing his hard-earned wisdom with the community, proving that whether you’re drawing stick figures or complex characters, there’s a place for creativity in the world. So, if you ever find yourself in Mahia or Gisborne, keep an eye out for this animation aficionado, who’s now living proof that life can be a colorful adventure—especially when you animate it!