Animation

ugh. There are so many generalizations and inaccuracies in his commentary, not to mention the title would be more accurate if it asked “the hardest animated film to produce”

The answer to the hardest to animate, would no doubt be Richard Williams’ THIEF AND THE COBBLER there are tons of resources to look into on that, the runner up would be NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

As someone who took on their first 2D animation this year for a web series, I can confirm with confidence, 2D animation is not for the weak lol. It has it's on set of challenges but we've learned a lot. No favorite for me, I enjoy each animation and their uniqueness.

Do you think you'd ultimately prefer an all-in-one device with a monitor, Mike Boas? Such as an iPad or Surface? it sounds like the others that you've tried have been more cumbersome.

Well if I used an Ipad, I wouldn't have a keyboard at all! I've tried out Procreate Dreams on my wife's iPad, but haven't given it enough use to know how I like it. I need to do a project on it, but at a time when I don't have deadlines. Usually for jobs I need to get done, I go to the standby workflows I've done in the past.

I highly suggest the magic keyboard for an iPad. My laptop died on me last year and I replaced it with the new iPad Pro and magic keyboard in May. I've only had it for a few months, but I LOVE it. The adaptability and convenience of it being a tablet or a laptop when I need is awesome.

Cintiq is definitely the go to -- although a lot of competitors ship off samples to animators to test (and keep and promote). Most everyone I know uses both Cintiq and iPad, iPad is terrific for quick sketches and Procreate which is the app Photoshop wishes it could be.

I cheaped out and only got myself a Cintiq 16. If I had the option for a do-over I would have saved more and got a better model.

I had a Surface Pro for years in the past and absolutely hated it. Everything else evolved so much faster in technology, and I always felt awkward drawing on it. Like the ergonomics were just off no matter what I tweaked.

Mine have only ever used for drawing though. I still do 3D animation on my desktop. (But my desktop is constantly being updated since I have video and sound editing inputs depending on what I'm working on at the moment.)

Geoff Hall Fortunately not lost, in fact it should be treasured, but maybe only viable/bankable for the very best.

I don't disagree at all. And I hope the comeback we're seeing with stop motion gets to bloom. It's a wonderful medium make all the more beautiful by how much patience it takes to create.

Brandy Camille if you like stop motion, then I recommend Stopmotion on Shudder. Unless you don't like horror, in which case avoid it at all costs.

I think the digital age has made it unnecessary, while I enjoy the art form the economics of time and money with an indistinguishable result from cheaper and faster 3D animation makes it less and less of an attractive choice. I think a project that does something to separate it from 3D would really give the style a resurgence.

There seems to be only a few large studios that have ever been set up to do it. And I mean Laika studios that puts out great works, seems to take about 3 years or so to film a movie. There has been some technical innovations and maybe some AI removal tools that might make stop motion feasible for smaller teams and more indie production, but economics of scale and the skill behind it probably means it will continue with the same slow spiral.

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it looks awesome

I've really enjoyed the first 2 seasons and looking forward to the third!

Same, J.R Meek! I can't wait!

It so a great show.

I remember joining when they were doing their Kickstarter before they picked up even more funding. I think they might be an example of how a producer works to bring out the best of a show. (Although they are very much an outlier of a show considering their preexisting fan base of the audio only version of the show, plus the fact that the people behind the show are all seasoned voice actors )

Awesome, thanks for sharing!

I've always loved DC animated movies. Their writers are really good. I can't wait to see this. Thanks for sharing.

DC animated projects are where it's at!! I'm a Bat Fam fanatic, so I'm thrilled!

Bat Fam should be an animated show, Ashley Renee Smith.

I would watch that in a heartbeat, Maurice Vaughan! Some more recent shows like Titans on Max and even the Harley Quinn Animated Series on Max have done some great Bat Fam storylines. But I'd be glued to a show entirely focused on them and their dynamics with one another. Live action or animated.

I' watched an episode of Titans, Ashley Renee Smith. I was meaning to watch more episodes. I used to watch Teen Titans. I can picture Bat Fam being funny like Teen Titans or serious like Titans. I'd like to see a movie or series for Batman Beyond too.

Hey, Cyrus Sales. Wow! Incredible video! I knew it took a lot of work to make animation, but not that much!

I love this deep-dive video, Cyrus Sales! Thank you for sharing! I grew up alongside Andy in Toy Story, so I feel like Pixar was such a staple of my childhood. It's been incredible to watch them grow over the years. At every stage, their films were incredible and cutting-edge. It's so interesting to see the growth broken down like this.

Maurice Vaughan right! I haven't had the opportunity to be on an animation to this magnitude yet but it was cool to see their process and learning the reasoning behind why it takes so long for some animations to come out.

Ashley Renee Smith I grew up on Toy Story too so seeing their breakdown of the original and how they were able to advance with time was cool. I like how they explained which project taught them different tricks and how they were able to then use them later on, on different animations.

Nice

Flow looks incredible, J.R Meek! It looks like a movie and a video game.

Reninds me of the video game Stray. I’d watch it.

I agree, it does have that style similar to video games. Also, I love Stray, playing as the cat is the best. I'm hoping to see this movie and how the story is done without dialogue.

I thought the same thing, Mike Boas!

If you hire a studio, you should ask them for the names and roles of the crew that worked on it, so they can achieve the proper credits. In terms of the animation process, the studio should be able to guide you, but if you are looking for process in terms of how the pipeline flows, I found the Animation Producer's Handbook by Lea Milic, very useful. See link below.

There are MANY great festivals for animation, but I would submit based on:

1. The quality of the end result

2. The theme of the animation

Different festivals look for different things and you have to research them, but you have festivals like Annecy, British Animation Film Festival, Ottawa International Animation Film Festival. Go on www.filmfreeway.com and do a little research and you will find hundreds.

As for fund raising. I would go with Crowdfunding, whether Kickstarter or Indiegogo. Raising funds for animation is very difficult. Some festivals have prize money, but nearly enough to make a dent. The other options is pre-sales but you would need a big named actor on board or Director.

https://www.amazon.com/Animation-Producers-Handbook-Lea-Milic/dp/0335220...

I produce (mostly animation) and sometimes it took forever to secure funding and make things happen.

0nly once, did I secure $2.3 million in two days. Today, it's possible to invest TIME and not MONEY to make things happen. If you know how to use AI, you can animate wonderful sequences in a half hour or in an afternoon. Has anyone seen the "Blue Cloaked Alien walking the streets of New York City Sight Unseen" ? I wish I could attach it here...

I met Nina over two decades ago and loved her simple B&W Flash animation. Two years ago, she landed a $50,000 Fulbright Grant, and that made the big difference! See the enchanting and wonderful "SITA Sings the Blues" directed by Nina Paley free on youTube !!!

Great share, Laurie Ashbourne! Thank you!

Funny enough, I was just watching Encanto last night so to hear Bush will be taking over as CCO, is quite ironic. You mentioned "I told you so, but this is long overdue," what are your thoughts about Lee stepping down and Bush taking over?

I have been saying for years that she is in way over her head, but I also know how excruciatingly bureaucratic taking action against someone's employment is in that company. I don't know Jared but it has to be a step up.

It's definitely a new dawn with Bush taking over. I'm not too sure how invested you are into the company or the progress with Jared being the new CCO but if you are keeping up with it, I'd love to hear an update and your thoughts on how things have changed (either for better or worse) with Jared taking the role.

This was a great breakdown to see the different components of Moana. I like the reference he uses of the weight assignment. Taking a basic example (lifting the box) and how something simple can be translated into two characters. I would love to see a breakdown of the animated series "Blue Eye Samurai,"

Cyrus Sales, is there a particular scene from Blye Eye Samurai that you believe deserves a close look? Is there a Youtube link that you can share with everyone here in the comments to check out the scene?

There's not a particular scene from Blue Eye Samurai that I believe deserves a closer look but it would be cool to see one of the fight scenes from this collection (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkrJF97x0yE) explained and/or broken down in depth.

Sorry to hear it, Kiara. Hopefully the show can be produced at a later date.

I know matthew but we have to do one or the other

Hi, Kiara P Oxley. Sorry to hear that. You could network on Stage 32. Networking is free. You might find actors to voice your characters for free as a favor. Here are some blogs about networking: www.stage32.com/blog/tags/networking-41

And you could promote your show on here for free in the Your Stage Lounge (www.stage32.com/lounge/promotion).

I'm sorry that you cancelled your show, but I hope it will still continue. Don't give up on the show and keep that passion alive, even if it might seem difficult right now.