Animation

Thanks for sharing Ashley Renee Smith! This is an interesting watch from the start. First, all of the individual have great personalities but from the start Tim talks about how he originally turned down a project due to a 4 week deadline but ended up taking it on. I'm truly impressed with what they were able to do in such a short period of time.

Absolutely, Cyrus Sales! I thought that moment from Tim really stood out too, it’s such a great reminder that sometimes the projects we initially hesitate on can turn out to be creatively fulfilling in ways we didn’t expect. It’s inspiring to see what’s possible under tight deadlines when a team is aligned and committed.

Ashley Renee Smith something I am curious about with that tight deadline is the budget for this project. I know with animation the name of the game is time, being on a three week crunch I'm sure the budget reflected the short turn around time. I do wish there was more transparency around finished project budgets and how it was allocated.

Maybe I don’t think of it as designing a world…

I storyboard a sequence, planning the action, blocking, acting, and camera movement for each shot. These storyboards usually focus on the foreground.

When I get to the point of thinking about backgrounds, that’s when I plan the layout. Layout means planning the action and/or camera moves as they relate to the environment. You want the subject (usually a character) to be framed well, and the background should complement that.

If you look at animation background art, it will feel like something is missing… the characters. Often there will be a hot spot of color where the characters should stand, the point of interest. The colors, the lines, the forms of the background should draw your eye to the point of interest.

So in answer to your question, the composition, color, and forms of the world as they support the story take precedence over any one visual detail.

I start with stylistic choices in the initial sketches to set the tone.

Ashley Renee Smith - although I'm not animator in our company, we typically pull references first and pull the different elements from those references into somewhat of a collage prior to building out the animated world. Hopefully this helps!

Thanks for sharing the video, Mike Boas. I like the strategy Nicolas Curcio and his team are using! I post loglines and posters for my Animation spec scripts on social media to pitch them, and I post pages from the scripts on social media.

Mike Boas thank you for sharing! I've been gathering as much information about pitching series so I'm adding this into the list of videos to review and take notes on.

It also helps that he is connected to gain access to these places to pitch. Still, a great approach!

Right, that’s what I meant by having written before. He’s in a position to get meetings, so what he’s posting about is how he uses those opportunities.

Thanks for sharing this, Mike Boas, Nicolas Curcio’s approach is such a great reminder that while there may not be a “standard path” for pitching animation specs, that doesn’t mean doors are closed.

Congratulations! I’m new to the platform as well, and I really like the cosmic orientation of your script — outer space stories have always been a personal favorite of mine. Wishing you the best in the contest!

Thank you, Alex Olguin ! I really appreciate your kind words. Outer space stories have always inspired me too, and I’m glad the theme of light and darkness resonated with you. Best of luck to you as well on Stage32, let’s keep pushing our cosmic stories forward!

Congratulations on pitching your script Daniel Danitto, keep us update on the outcome!

Thank you, Cyrus Sales ! I really appreciate the support. I’ll definitely share updates as things move forward.

I like the animation and scene, Jason McArdle. I think some of the characters' movements could be smoother, mainly Tiatha. And maybe add more furniture and/or decorations to the throne room so it doesn't feel so empty.

Thank you Maurice Vaughan

Thank you Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Jason McArdle.

Jason McArdle - I would make sure the audio is mixed and balanced. The sound design and music takes away from what the character on screen are saying.

Hey, Cyrus Sales. I haven't played console games in a long time, but I play mobile games sometimes when I have time, and I like to watch console game walkthroughs on YouTube (like the Telltale games where a player has to make choices). I think the trend of animated games will continue growing. The Green Ember is something I'd watch a gameplay walkthrough for.

This is such an exciting move for Brazen Animation, Cyrus Sales, and it feels like a natural evolution for studios that prioritize bold storytelling and strong visuals. The idea of animated games that carry the same narrative depth as films or series opens up so many creative opportunities.

Wow, Brazen Animation stepping into games with The Green Ember is like watching your favorite storyteller suddenly hand you the controller. Super cool move, and honestly it feels like they’re setting up a whole new playground for fans. Kinda gives me the same vibe as stumbling onto online casinos accepting €1 deposits - you don’t need much to dive in and suddenly you’re hooked on the fun. Games, whether epic fantasy or a quick spin, are all about that little spark of let’s see what happens next.

Milli Lims thank you for bringing this post back to life. Maurice Vaughan I'm right there with you. I haven't played a console in a long time but more recently thought about getting a new console and getting back into it. Seeing this gets me excited, hopefully for solid storytelling in the gaming world. Ashley Renee Smith it is exciting to see animation studios involve and branch out with time. Especially as someone new in the space, opens my eyes to the endless possibilities. Milli Lims is there anyone or any animation you'd like to see be turned into a game?

Definitely looking forward to it. Coming to my local indie theater in a few weeks.

Bob Harper this is such an interesting animation style, can't say I've seen anything quite like it before. I'll admit at first glance I wasn't quite as interested but by the end of the clip I was pulled in. It sorta reminds me of Netflix's gospel at midnight with how the character's are voiced. I do like how they added the interview and we are able to read how this animation came to be. Look forward to watching the full animation.

I saw the film tonight, and it has a chill, laid back vibe. The musical segments are fun as well. The look is more interesting than the animation — you can see the shortcuts they took — but I applaud the achievement of a small team making a full feature.

I haven't tackled complex tech or finance themes in my animated projects, but I might now, Ashley Renee Smith. Thanks for the idea.

I think this approach opens new doors. And I think if the info is handled correctly (limit how much info is given at once and make it entertaining when the characters talk), it won't overwhelm the audience.

Wow Ashley Renee Smith - that took some world-building planning! Pretty clever!

I love how they are taking something complex and building an animation geared towards teaching children (and I'm sure it'll teach some adults as well). I look forward to this releasing next year, wouldn't mind checking it out myself. Thanks for sharing Ashley Renee Smith

This looks SO AWESOME! Thanks for sharing, Kevin Jackson!

Whoa Kevin Jackson - I had not seen this. Wow!

I'm excited about this, Kevin Jackson! And I just thought about something. Animators, producers, writers, etc. can take their characters and stories in different directions to keep their projects fresh.

This looks cool.

This is dope, had no idea this was a thing. Thanks for sharing Kevin Jackson.

Contests are a good start! if it's ready to go and formatted, submit your story to the animation screenwriting contest that's going on currently. I believe final deadline is tomorrow.

Hey, Leonardo Ramirez 2. Hope you're doing well! I'm excited for the Open House!

Hey Maurice Vaughan - doing well. Super busy, but well. Really looking forward to this! Love making new connections at these.

Hi, Ifaliana Randriamanalina. I put a short character description in the script when I introduce the character. I mention their personality. I also mention their appearance, clothes, and accessories if they're important to the story.

I put a more detailed description in the treatment and pitch deck. Their strengths, flaws, backstory, etc.

Great question, Ifaliana Randriamanalina, and one that comes up a lot, especially in animation where character clarity is everything.

In most cases, a brief character description is included in the script, usually the first time a character is introduced. This is typically just a sentence or two that gives the reader a sense of their age, personality, and visual vibe—especially important in animation where the design team will be using that as a creative springboard.

However, for animated projects, it’s also very common (and helpful!) to create a separate character breakdown document for pitching or development purposes. That document can include:

• Name, age, and role in the story

• Personality traits (quirks, fears, strengths, goals)

• Voice reference or tone (especially helpful for casting or voice direction)

• Visual style notes or design inspirations

• Character arc or how they grow through the story

• Relationships to other characters

If you’re looking to develop this into a pitch or bible, I’d also recommend checking out Stage 32’s Animation Education resources (https://www.stage32.com/education/collections/animation).

And definitely keep asking questions like this, you’re not alone, and it’s how great projects get even stronger.

Thank you so much

You're welcome, Ifaliana Randriamanalina.

Ifaliana Randriamanalina It’s actually both—especially if you’re writing a TV series. In the script itself, you include a brief description of each character when they are first introduced (age range, appearance, personality). But for TV, you’ll also include more detailed character breakdowns in the Series Bible, where you expand on each main character’s background, personality, relationships, and especially their arc—how they evolve with the story.

If you’re pitching a film or TV project, it’s also common to provide a character list or character breakdown document outside of the script so producers, execs, or casting can quickly understand who the main players are.