Animation Industry Q&A with Frank Gladstone - 45 Year Veteran of Animation

Animation Industry Q&A with Frank Gladstone - 45 Year Veteran of Animation

Animation Industry Q&A with Frank Gladstone - 45 Year Veteran of Animation

Frank Gladstone
Frank Gladstone
5 years ago

Happy Tuesday Stage 32!

I am incredibly honored to present to you the first of a series of vlogs from animation industry veteran, Frank Gladstone! Frank has worked for some of the biggest names in animation (Disney, Warner Bros, and DreamWorks, to name a few!) in his 45+ years in the industry. Frank is also currently the Executive Director for The International Animated Film Society (ASIFA - Hollywood) which hosts the world famous Annie Awards honoring animators from all over the world.

In this first video, Frank answers several questions from the Stage 32 community about the craft and business of animation. You will learn:

  • How an animation writer make it in these times of big industry domination

  • How to make narrative animation on a low budget

  • What is selling in the animation category lately

  • What kind of core crew and workflow works in remote-working animation teams

  • How professionals working from home make themselves studio-appropriate when taking digital meetings

If YOU have questions you would like to submit for Frank's next video, kindly comment on this thread in the Stage 32 Animation Lounge! In the meantime, enjoy the wealth of animation industry wisdom Frank has to share in this first vlog!

Click HERE to See Frank's Answers!

YouTube Video

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About the Author

Frank Gladstone

Frank Gladstone

Animator, Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Script Consultant

Frank Gladstone has been working as a professional animator, producer, director, writer and teacher for nearly 50 years. From 1973 to 1989, he managed his own Emmy award-winning studio, Persistence of Vision, Inc., producing commercials and educational films, and has since worked for the feature ani...

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10 Comments on Frank's Article

Di Scala
Screenwriter, Director
Thank you so much Frank for sharing with us some direct information. I am at the moment writing a script based on an old oriental tale I came across during my anthropology studies. I need to find a good animator but have no idea where to start and how do you go about getting in touch with a studio even a small one, when you are a beginner? 
5 years ago
Di Scala
Screenwriter, Director
Merci Frank!
4 years ago
Anthony Moore
Screenwriter
Hello Frank. I'm a sci-fi screenwriter and I've just completed a screenplay for an animated sci-fi feature. I used blender to create and render the main character. I'm working on putting together a short commercial to showcase the character and advertise the script on YouTube in the hopes that a major studio may want to pick up the franchise. Any advice?
5 years ago
Laurie Ashbourne
Screenwriter, Producer, Author
Frankie, my love! Such a small world that Stage 32 makes smaller.  Great to see you on my favorite site for filmmakers. Looking forward to more from you.
5 years ago
Barry Cook
Director
Hi Frank, Happy to see you are spreading wisdom and good cheer through Stage 32 - Barry Cook
5 years ago
Laurie Ashbourne
Screenwriter, Producer, Author
It's a mini-reunion!
5 years ago
Prema Rose
Actor, Art Director, Choreographer, Content Creator, Dancer, Director, Filmmaker, Playwright, Producer, Screenwriter, Songwriter, Theatre Director
This was so affirmative for my project which is an animated/live action musical. My budget is $15MM. What are the avenues do you suggest to pursue to produce it in this range? There is much to see and hear on the www.premaroseproductions.com website.
5 years ago
Prema Rose
Actor, Art Director, Choreographer, Content Creator, Dancer, Director, Filmmaker, Playwright, Producer, Screenwriter, Songwriter, Theatre Director
Bless you!I have a full pitch deck and Jack Binder is the executive producer, if that information is helpful. There is, also, much to see and hear at www.premaroseproductions.com.
5 years ago
Prema Rose
Actor, Art Director, Choreographer, Content Creator, Dancer, Director, Filmmaker, Playwright, Producer, Screenwriter, Songwriter, Theatre Director
I appreciate the time you have taken to correspond with me. Best wishes,Prema Rose
5 years ago
Tasha Lewis
Actor, Author, Choreographer, Dancer, Director, Editor, Filmmaker, Marketing/PR, Narrator, Producer, Researcher, Screenwriter, Student, Translator, Voice Actor
Thank you for inviting us into the world of animation and how it works on the business side.
5 years ago
WL Wright
Screenwriter
Super that was great and thanks for the answers Mr. Gladstone! It was very positive in every way.
5 years ago
Louisa Kendrick
Screenwriter, Actor, Director, Content Creator
Thank you Frank for spreading your wisdom. This was informative.  I have been working to learn Blender (open source animation software) so that I could at least create characters for someone to takeover and help me animate but the learning curve is really steep. I'm not the best drawer. Is there a program you would suggest as far a learning goes that would be beneficial to take?
5 years ago
Douglas Eugene Mayfield
Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks for a great session. I look forward to more as time allows.
5 years ago
Brannon Hollingsworth
Art Director, Content Creator, Creative Executive, Publisher, Screenwriter
Thanks, Frank! Question for your next blog, if possible: For a small studio that's has done what you recommended in this video (i.e. completed some projects and produced a show or two) but has very few contacts in the industry, what is the best way to get in front of decision makers who can produce/green light shows?
5 years ago
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