Animation Industry Q&A with Frank Gladstone - 45 Year Veteran of Animation: EPISODE 3

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Animation Industry Q&A with Frank Gladstone - 45 Year Veteran of Animation: EPISODE 3

5 years ago

Happy Wednesday Stage 32!

Back in July, we launched a Vlog Series featuring long-time 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. Last month, he answered several questions from the Stage 32 Community about all aspects of the animation industry. You can watch Frank's previous blogs here: Episode 1 & Episode 2.

This week, Frank answers even more questions from the Stage 32 community about the craft and business of animation. You will learn:

The best way to get attention on an animation project - through short films, pitches, sketches
The best avenues to produce animation/musical projects at various budgets
How to get in front of decision makers who can produce/green light shows
How to you determine the animation style that best serves the story
Whether or not the screenwriters or directors have any authority in choosing the animation style of their film
Some of Frank's favorite animated-films!
... and more!

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 or comment here on this blog! In the meantime, enjoy the wealth of animation industry wisdom Frank has to share in this second vlog!

Click HERE to see Frank's Answers!

Finally, if you or anyone in your network writes screenplays for animation, check out our 1st Annual New Voices in Animation Screenwriting Contest! The Grand Prize Winner will be flown to Hollywood (travel permitting) to have private one-on-one meetings with some of the most prolific and talented Animation artists, writers, filmmakers, producers, and executives from top companies including DISNEY, PIXAR, MGM, WARNER BROS., NETFLIX, and more!

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Got an idea for a post? Or have you collaborated with Stage 32 members to create a project? We'd love to hear about it. Email Taylor at taylor@stage32.com and let's get your post published!

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About the Author

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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3 Comments on Frank's Article

Prema Rose

Actor, Art Director, Choreographer, Content Creator, Dancer, Director, Filmmaker, Playwright, Producer, Screenwriter, Songwriter, Theatre Director

Thank you for answering my question, Frank. Here is another one....My animated/live action musical, the MicroCosmic Cartoon Show, is written so that the styles of animation change as the protagonist's consciousness evolves. The live action narrative weaves through the animation narrative and they correspond to each other. It is heavily music driven, also, with many original songs. I call it a SymphRockTronic Operetta. So....I have wanted to create a storyboard or graphic novel but I don't know how to put it all together. I have an animatic trailer with a synopsis song to tie it together and a lookbook, but where do I go from there? Any suggestions?Thank you so much!

5 years ago

Prema Rose

Actor, Art Director, Choreographer, Content Creator, Dancer, Director, Filmmaker, Playwright, Producer, Screenwriter, Songwriter, Theatre Director

Yes, I have a screenplay that has won 9 awards at international film festivals and screenplay competitions. Every bit of funding I receive goes to the production for development. I have an executive producer who is unfortunately not pro-active, a strong pitch deck, much to see and hear on my website, etc. but no major funding. I have the interest of several producers but it is such a unique production, none have optioned it nor agreed to become co-producers. I have been concentrating on networking and raising the funding. This production is grandfathered into Section 181 so it has a great tax incentive for investors. I just recorded one of the pivotal songs between Italy, LA, and Colorado (where I live). I totally see that animation is not relegated to working in one location.Faith in Film Screenplay Competition says that it is "Fantastic...absolutely brilliant". Thank you for continuing to dialogue with me. With much appreciation,Prema

5 years ago

Karen E Ross

Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter, Script Consultant, Voice Actor, Actor

Aww, thank you so much for your granddaughter's intro! So adorable! You should definitely have her intro you from now on! LOL! YASS, Into the Spider-verse! You're right, such a game-changer. I think comic book studios are also game changing, since previously it seemed like we tossed any previous medium in exchange for writing within the "motion picture" medium. To that end - a lot of screenwriters will write their story as a book first in order to flesh out the IP. What benefits are there to writing a comic book first and then making it into an animated feature/series? Would you recommend it? THANK YOU, FRANK!

5 years ago