“What’s up Next?” is a series of articles and interviews meant to better showcase the trajectories of our Next Talents.
We are meeting the 2025-2026 generation in two key moments: at the start of their trajectory – focussing on finding out more about the artists and what they expect from the program, and at the end of their course, discussing the things they picked up on the way.
With this first interview we are introducing you to animator, illustrator and graphic designer Puck Paassen.
Puck Paassen is a frame-by-frame animator, illustrator, and graphic designer based in Breda, the Netherlands. She aims to make certain topics more discussable, or at least more comfortable by balancing serious themes with a generous dose of (adult) humour.
We asked Puck to tell us a bit about herself. “I have a Bachelor’s degree in Illustrated & Animated Storytelling and a Master’s degree in Animation. Over the past few years, I’ve been working on projects here and there, left and right, small and big, but I’m really looking forward to bigger and better collaborations this year! I love working with other people, live drawing, and expressing myself through my art (which artist doesn’t?). I’m excited about doing more live, on-the-spot work, too. Just to challenge myself and meet more people.
A couple of years ago, I teamed up with former Next Talent Indah Hijmans to create a one-minute film for the Stuttgart International Film Festival. We made the whole thing from scratch in just 48 hours, which was crazy but so rewarding. And I’m currently working in a super fun and inspiring animation studio in a former prison in Breda, alongside former Next Talent Eva Bonnevits and current Talent Ayoola Olagunju. You should totally come by sometime!”
“I’m basically a cartoon character who makes cartoons” Puck continues. “Everything I touch has the potential to spiral into its own weird universe, and I honestly see that more as a blessing than a curse. Doesn’t matter what I draw or think, it always turns into something cartoony. I can’t help it. I think part of that comes from the fact that I myself am a bit of a cartoon character. I’m not a very serious person, I’m tiny (1.56m), covered in tattoos, and have ginger hair. The only thing missing is a signature outfit I wear every single day. But personality-wise? Cartoon clown, for sure.
What really sets my work apart is the way I use humor to talk about the themes that I find important. My way of storytelling is heavily inspired by punk, but not in the aggressive way. More in the rebellious, DIY, nothing-is-sacred kind of way. Instead of screaming my message, I joke about it. I think that’s what makes my work accessible. Because comedy is one of the most powerful tools we have for disarming people. Entertainment over emotions, I suppose. That’s punk as hell to me.”
We asked Puck to tell us a bit more about a project close to her heart. “I’m currently working on a big project called All Bark, No Bite. It’s a short film concept that started out as an idea for a whole animated series. Because of course it did. Everything I touch somehow turns into a cartoon universe, and this one was no exception. First it was a short film idea, then it blew up into a series, and now I’ve stripped it back down to its core again.
All Bark, No Bite follows Trashley, a loudmouthed possum who steals the spotlight during a hangout with her friends by telling the wildest, most unhinged stories. But as her friends dissect her story, the truth comes out. Beneath the loud jokes lies a deeper pain Trashley doesn’t want to face. Because being funny feels safer than being vulnerable.
The characters are all trash-themed animals. Trashley the possum, and her raccoon, rat, and skunk friends. It takes place in Ew York City, and it’s deeply inspired by punk rebellion and girl power. This project is really close to my heart because it’s both visually and emotionally very *me.* The themes it explores–humor as a defence mechanism, losing control of your own narrative, hiding your insecurities–are things I’ve felt and seen so many others wrestle with too. It’s a messy story told in a messy way, but that’s kind of the point. That’s just how I like to tell stories, I suppose.”
When asked about her inspiration, Puck didn’t hesitate: “I’m mostly inspired by daily life. The people around me. What my friends are going through. Their gossip, their struggles, their weird little habits. The stuff I recognise in them, or that they recognise in me. I’m fascinated by how personal experiences can be so wildly different, yet rooted in the same set of emotions. We’re all out here going through it in our own ways, but still, there’s overlap. There’s community. That’s what gets me creatively motivated.
I’m also super inspired by music. Especially genres that are seen as kind of niche or outsider-y. Punk, of course. But also country and bluegrass. And drum and bass. They might seem like wildly different worlds, but what I love is how they each have these passionate, dedicated communities built around them. The feeling of finding your people is HUGE to me. Feeling safe, seen, and understood in a group of other weirdos. THAT’S inspirational to me.
As for specific artists or works of art… good one. I consume way less media than most animators I know. I’m missing a lot of “must-see” films and pop culture references. It’s kind of embarrassing sometimes…. But I don’t really mind. Because what does inspire me is people. Real people. Which is weird for a cartoon girl, isn’t it?”
We asked Puck to tell us how she came to apply for our program. “I was actually nominated for the Next Talent program back in 2023, but I didn’t make it through the selection round that year. And honestly, looking back, I’m kind of happy about that. I had just graduated, was super fresh-faced, and at that point I didn’t really know what I was doing AT ALL. Or why I was even doing it. I was still figuring out who I was as an artist, and it wouldn’t have been the right moment.
Since then, I’ve seen a few friend-colleague-fellow-creative-artists go through the program, and watching them grow has been really inspiring. Especially seeing them grow their careers and confidence. Seeing them shift from starter to professional really stuck with me. So when I saw that the 2025 trajectory had an open call, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I knew I was in a better place, both artistically and mentally, and I was ready to really go for it this time. I wanted to be part of the journey I’d witnessed in others. To have that kind of support, guidance, and sense of creative community.
I’m genuinely so thankful to be part of the Next Talent program. It’s already given me so many opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Not just in terms of career support, but also in terms of focus, clarity, and community. Playgrounds as a whole already does an amazing job at building a space for artists to grow and connect, but being part of the Next family feels like an even deeper layer of that. I’m proud. Like, really proud to be part of this group. Surrounded by people who are all figuring things out in their own ways and sharing their experiences as young artists so openly.
Listening to others, hearing how they struggle, watching them evolve, seeing them succeed is super motivating. It reminds me that I’m not alone in this. That we’re all sort of fumbling forward, learning as we go. And for me, that’s exactly what I’m hoping to do with Next: to keep fumbling forward, but with more intention.
Next is helping me get closer to understanding who I really am as an artist. I know why I do what I do. But what exactly am I doing? And how do I turn that into a sustainable career? You know? How do I tame this industry in a way that makes sense to me?”
Of course, we also wanted to know who would Puck’s dream mentor in the program be. “Do I have to pick one…? Lisa Hanawalt (producer of Bojack Horseman). Lisa really gets balancing surreal comedy with vulnerability in cartoons.
Or maybe Butch Hartman, because I love his character design and cartoon logic. Or Debbie Harry, because she pushed through a male-dominated industry and she’d understand my cartoonish femininity. Or Dolly Parton, because she’s proof that you can be hilarious, camp, and deeply political at the same time. Or Nick Shoulders, because he’s a modern-day yodelling country punk, and I love his lyrics and his way of storytelling.”
Now, storytelling is something Puck does effortlessly and we could definitely listen to her all day. And even more so, we are now totally hooked on Trashley’s adventures so we can’t wait to see what Puck has in store for him and us! Make sure to keep an eye on her channels!