Animation

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh, I love this, and I’m going to be honest… I haven’t seen Revolutionary Girl Utena yet, but the way you’re describing it just moved it way up my list. I know that I need to expand my anime watchlist. My go-to has been Attack on Titan, which I absolutely love, but I know there’s so much more out there that pushes boundaries in really unique ways like what you’re describing here.

Dwayne Williams 2, this is such a great pairing, and I love how you’re looking at both the technical and creative evolution of animation. Love, Death & Robots takes that idea and just explodes it. The fact that every episode reinvents itself, different styles, tones, storytelling approaches, is so cool!! That kind of freedom is what makes the medium so exciting.

Chase, I’m so glad you shared this, because I’m going to be honest, Kiff is new to me, so I’m definitely adding it to my list to check out. It sounds like what’s really resonating with you is that balance between fun, chaotic adventures and meaningful emotional beats, which is where a lot of the best animated shows live.

Chris Coggins WALL-E is one of my favorites too. My husband and I actually saw it in theaters together on one of our very first dates, so it holds a really special place for me. The music in it is incredible.

I love this question Ashley Renée Smith. By a longshot...The Iron Giant. It has everything I love about a movie - a giant robot from space, a battle scene and a reference to Superman. The thing that it also has that changed how I viewed animated movies was heart and soul. A young boy living with his single mom who finds a friend who saves the world. That's when I knew I could write a story with my life elements mixed in and still make it fun but with heart.

Thanks so much to Evan and everyone. really enjoyed the first session except when struggling to view the clips. Eeeek!

But I'm a bit fuzzy on what is required for this assignment. Did I hear Evan say, "It can be either/or?

So those two files you provided, "Drawn to Life" and "Flamingo", am I correct to think we are asked to produce something just like that, but for our own story?

(YES EXACTLY :))

And that we can choose just one of them or both? I ask because right now, I'm currently thinking "feature film" and so producing something like "Drawn to Life" is more appealing for me. Producing a pilot for a series, would difficult because right now I'm not thinking "series"

-- if you are feeling going with a feature then let's run with it! Excited to see your one sheet! advise strongly to choose one

Have to say I loved the idea of the Flamingos posing as garden ornaments to cross the park unseen. Priceless!

(thank you)

For ALISON:

Hello, I believe this is the place to post questions for the class?

Yes this is the place!

This will help me decide what project to work on. I have an animation/live action pilot that I am passionate about, but it involves a one-off character from a preexisting show (that, according to what I've read, isn't planned to be used again). I realize that gets into IP legality issues...is it worth working on that?

----- I would focus on original idea rather than an actual existing up, unless it is the public domain.

Is it the kind of thing I could pitch directly to the studio that owns the character, or would I need to see about acquiring the rights? Should I just avoid it and pick a different project where I create all the IP?

-- we can discuss this during class to talk about existing IP.!

As we dive into CLASS 2 for THE ART OF CHARACTER - want you start thinking about these discussion points.

DISCUSSION PROMPTS FOR NEXT CLASS:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMATED CHARACTER AND WHY?

EITHER TELEVISION or MOTION PICTURE

WHAT MAKES A CHARACTER A STRONG CHARACTER AND IMPACTFUL TO THE FILM OR STORYLINE?

Thanks Evan for answering my questions.

I am looking forward to those discussions about character, and have some thoughts to share on the topic.

BTW, since my Stage 32 profile photo is years out-of-date and I have no camera set-up on my computer, I'll post a more recent photo here. This is me at home with the ocean (Hinemoana) I have in my back yard. The ocean is always one of the main characters in my stories. In fact, she narrates my most recent one.

And Sarah, I want you to know I do appreciate your suggestion about the webinars and may well follow it up at some stage.

It's only 3 o'clock on Thursday afternoon in the western US but it's already Friday morning here. Evan said he needed our assignments by Friday morning so mine has been sent. I may not be ahead of this class with anything else, but at least I'm ahead in time. LOL!

This may be the only advantage to having to wake up at 3.45 am to meet you in session. :(

Kevin Jackson Thanks, I appreciate it. It’s actually about animals living like modern humans, but grounded in real behavior and character-driven humor. Glad it stands out.

Oh my gosh, this is fantastic! Love the elements of dark humor and the rap battle influence - very creative! You should email our success team and see if there are any execs who’d be interested in this concept: successstage32.com

Thank you, Amanda Toney I really appreciate it! :)

Daniel Danitto thanks for sharing! I agree with Kevin Jackson I think it has chance within animation. I think it would be refreshing to see something different in the space.

Cyrus Sales , thank you very much, I really appreciate it. Glad it comes across as something different. That’s exactly what I’m aiming for - something more grounded and character-driven, not following a typical formula.

Not seeing anything

Hey Michael Dukumor ! Looks like you posted something but it's not showing on our end. You mind reposting with the content again, would love to see what the series is about.

Absolutely. Personally, people think I'm a kid when I watch an animated film. Like, "He's an idiot! What's he watching? Stupid stuff!" But I don't care. I see animation as a source of inspiration for creating my own manga. And besides, these days, all the kids are crazy about it. If you think animation is lame, I recommend you go see "GOAT." You'll change your mind.

Josiah Cosgrove I think it depends on the person and how much knowledge they have about the industry and what consumers like. I think for the average person it may seem silly and dumb but for those who are educated and understand the history of animation and where it is headed the statement becomes obsolete.

From my experience I've come across countless individual who simply aren't educated in animation and simply don't know any better.

Hi Alex, great to meeting you. I am also a 2D animator and writer. Are you using Moho? I recognise some of the brushes.

Alex Pinto pleasure to get connected! I highly recommend checking out the jobs section. People post jobs there and you may be able to find some work or others to collaborate with.

I'm all about 2D animation, with a strong preference for 80s to 2000s anime feel. If I could get Studio Madhouse to animate any of my projects, I'd be in Heaven.

Wow, Studio Madhouse is amazing Banafsheh Esmailzadeh I admire their anime style! I’m definitely going to binge more of their work; is there a specific project of theirs that inspires you most?

Same Dwayne Williams 2~ I love that they did CLAMP’s animes so Cardcaptor Sakura and Clover, and what I saw of X. Of course their work on Satoshi Kon’s stuff is also wonderful, like Millennium Actress, and Redline is one of my absolute favourites. Their work on NANA is also gorgeous. If I had to choose between them I’d say Redline is my favourite example. Every single frame is pure art.

Thanks for sharing those, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh I just checked out Redline, and it looks amazing! Definitely something I’d spend time diving into. I appreciate you putting me onto that. :D

You’re welcome, Dwayne Williams 2~ enjoy Redline!

Bob Harper Thanks for sharing! I'm in Texas but hopefully someone on here is able to take advantage of the opportunity.

I was checking on the website and it has some online courses, but I didn't get if it's going to have a virtual access or something, since I live in Chile.

Sunday's event is completely virtual.

I agree with your assessment on this situation. Most of the screenplays that I have written are inspired by adult animation or anime. But when I pitch it as an animation, the reader is turned off by the fact that I am pitching it that way, even though they are requesting animated projects. I believe they are looking for more adult comedy animation than action, fantasy, and science fiction.

I would say the pacific would be the next big theme, for animated series, I mean look at moana, if a company would seriously dive into the pacific communities and culture, I am sure new materials for new projects would be found alot

Malcolm Kewa The thing with Moana is that it's more of our tradition Western 3D Animation. Those are all in the same basket as Toy Story and Zootopia. Moana 2 cost $250 million to make and promote. That's a big budget, IP driven project that a studio would not take a risk on if it were to come from an up and comer.

The style of adult 2D animation that I'm referring to is more like Castlevania or Chainsaw man. The Chainsaw man movie was distributed over from Asia and costed $4.1 million to make. It made $100 million in the box office.

Thats what they are doing in the international market that the US market currently doesn't have a financial answer for, nor does it seen to want to take the risk and find out. I already have a commitment from an animation studio overseas that can do my animation for $3.5 million, but to find Western producers or investors to take the chance....hard pressed.

The global gross revenue for animation is getting ready to be a 900 billion dollar industry and the US is only pushing heavy IP-driven projects, which to me is a mistake. They need to find a way to fund smaller animation projects and develop a "western" anime culture.

Happy Caturday! Josiah Cosgrove I love it.. “The Feline Times” very nice!

I haven’t checked it out yet but i might be down to help with animating but i think id need at least like $300-$500 depending on how it goes and how much work im putting in if i suck and not contributing anything useful u wouldn’t have to pay me

Taylor Enzminger, this is a fully independent no-budget project. I can't pay anyone, I'm sorry. But someday, if the first couple episodes do good online and I make some money, I will start paying the animator, voice actors, and co-writer.

I found your synopsis very interesting! Josiah Cosgrove

Josiah, I need to mention the budget stuff. You don't have to worry about that and if you pitch well enough to the literary management, then the manager, and then meet the executives so that way you'll be able to write and not worry so much about the budget. Even if you don't have money to meet with the animators or concept artists, you have to take a professional method to meet up with those people just politely before you show them your art. Don't give up.

Achmad Wildan Until you can make the right connections, I would suggest producing this project as a self-published book on Amazon and/or creating animated shorts on YouTube. Creating it as an IP and building an audience will increase your opportunities.

Hey Achmad Wildan ,

It’s really impressive to see how productive and focused you are at just 17. Keep that momentum going, your dedication and mindset are sure to take you a long way.

Your series sounds super creative, and the “toy-ready” style for a global kids’ market is such a smart approach. It might also be worth reaching out to the Stage 32 Success Team to see how they can assist with connecting you to the right producers or managers. Excited to see where you take it!

I would like to read your pitch bible! Can I? You email it to me at kbstudios.josiah@gmail.com. I kinda want to see how you put together yours, you know, use it like a template to edit my series pitch bible with.

Hi I am teaching an animation class on stage 32! all about screenwriting development in animation for tv and film!

Kevin Jackson Thank you I think the same.

Congratulations on Armstrong-D.U. being under consideration by a producer, @Alex! Dog's Land sounds fun and incredible! I like both animation styles in the picture, especially the bottom style! I like the idea of having a hybrid language! I'm looking forward to seeing how Dog's Land looks on screen!

Thanks, it's been a long way to this point, and I'm very expectant to what Armstrong-D.U. can become in the future but I'm really having fun with this too!

It looks really good! Cats really do push dogs around. Just one slap and the dog's off whining.

Alex. You know I GOTTA read this one too lol send it over when you get a chance.