What Do You Want To Do?

[Elliot Cowan]

Righto folks.
There's all kinds of folks here with all kinds of different experience.
Has everyone achieved something they always wanted to?
Has anyone?
What is it you dream of doing in the industry.
Do you want to create a beloved character?
Direct?
Edit?
Design?
Tell us what you want to do with you talents...

[George Williams]

I made a web cartoon and that in it self is a achievement to me. If it makes it our not, I have fun doing it and I love the experience and it brought me and some friends closer together. I would love to be able to create a cartoon and have it succeed and be the director and editor of it. But if it doesn't no big deal I still love doing it.

[Elliot Cowan]

Ok then George.
Just say your project fizzles out (so many do!).
What next?
What do you do then?

[George Williams]

Well I already have another cartoon project in mind actually. It's a really neat idea but it's going to take a lot of man power and I don't think I have the money to make it :\. Im not a animator so thats the dilemma. But maybe I'll just do a pilot instead of a whole series like I'm doing now and give it a go. It's pretty much a project i wanted to do if I "made it" because then I would know the ropes and probably have some more contacts. But if this project fizzles out i'd probably go with this other cartoon project, and if its as good as i think it is I would try and make it work I suppose.

[Elliot Cowan]

Have you considered attempting something smaller and more manageable?

[Paul Naas]

Finishing any film project is a major accomplishment. There are scads of projects that get started and never finished. It's infinitely easier now than it was when I started (over 20 years ago), but it still takes commitment and dedication to complete any short film project. Be proud that you finished it, no matter what happens. It puts you ahead of a huge percentage of others out there!

[George Williams]

As in a cartoon project our something in a completely different area?

[Elliot Cowan]

A cartoon project, yes.
Something you could do yourself for example.

[George Williams]

Oh, well I have no animation skill at all so theirs now way i would be able to do myself. In the cartoon I'm doing right now I'm just the writer/editor. But for something manageable as in maybe a 2-5 min animation short something that would be a lot cheaper, I can't see doing it. I try to make my episode's 10-12 mins long and they always end up being 15-18 mins. I hate cutting stuff out. But maybe i should try something different i might like it?

[Elliot Cowan]

Well I think writer editor is a good start (although it sounds like you need to work on your editing!).
I think writing a script is a perfectly healthy way to start an animated project - some may disagree but it's what I've always done.
As for length - have a good think about trying to do something short and simple.
It'll really put your writing and editing skills to the test.
Write something short.
Find someone you trust to read it then find someone to work on a board.
There must be 100s of folks kicking around looking to help out.
I know coming up with an idea is not always that straight forward, but if you start simply and work up you'll be sailing.
If you are looking to sell an animated idea it might be good to include some animation, but I suspect that it's not entirely necessary.
The best editing advice I can give you - BE RUTHLESS!!!

[Mariah Osmundson]

I want to be a character animator!
2D is my main passion, and I love to draw people. I think it would be great to someday be a key animator, maybe a director. One of my biggest inspirations is Glen Keane, he's so fabulous. Disney, Cartoon Network or a smaller animation house would be my goal.
I wouldn't mind doing 3D either. I always wanted to be a 3D animator, until I found out how much I loved 2D. And my progress in 3D in school right now is exploding. I'm definitely not a rigger, or lighter, or modeler! I am 100% a character animator! Of course everyone wants to work at Pixar, but anywhere would be pretty cool. That's what I really love. :)

[Elliot Cowan]

Tell us then Mariah.
Glenn Keane is one of your biggest inspirations.
What are some of your favourite Glenn Keane moments in animation?

I also liked this line of yours: "Disney, Cartoon Network or a smaller animation house would be my goal."
Basically you're saying "ANYWHERE!".

[Tim Ingle]

when I was 12 I wanted to be Glenn Keane when I grew up. The Beast was so well animated; Pocahontas too... truly inspirational.