Animation

Discuss, share content and offer advice or tips regarding technique, trends, software, advice, tips and all other pertinent issues related to animation

Ask Me Anything with Stage 32 CEO RB Botto, LIVE on ZOOM Wednesday, July 29th at 4pm PT

Ask Me Anything with Stage 32 CEO RB Botto, LIVE on ZOOM Wednesday, July 29th at 4pm PT

State of the Industry, Exclusive Writers' Room Event

This is a time of massive change, but also massive opportunity.

More than ever before, the doors are open for global creatives to have their voices heard. Stories are crossing borders. International shows are taking over streaming platforms. Power is shifting directly into the hands of the creators. The technology, the distribution models, the audiences, they're all evolving. And that means you need to evolve too.

So let's talk about it.

Stage 32 CEO, WGA Screenwriter, Producer, Actor, and Author RB Botto is hosting a brand new Ask Me Anything event on Wednesday, July 29th at 4pm PT, LIVE over Zoom, exclusively for members of the Stage 32 Writers' Room.

This is your chance to ask RB anything about your craft, your career, the current marketplace, or whatever challenges you're facing right now. Whether you're a screenwriter, filmmaker, producer, actor, or working in post, there's something in this AMA for you. And trust us, RB is bringing everything he's been seeing, hearing, and learning from the biggest names in the business to this conversation.

Not a Writers' Room Member Yet?

This AMA is exclusive to members of the Stage 32 Writers' Room, but the good news is you can try your first month completely FREE. That means you'll gain access to this AMA with RB, plus every other Writers' Room benefit: weekly craft webcasts, feedback exchanges, pitch practice, a global creative community, and industry events like this one, all included in your free trial.

Click here to start your free month of the Writers' Room and secure your spot at RB's AMA!

We can't wait to see you there on July 29th!


Liked by Charmane Wedderburn and 9 others

James Lagrimas
Stage 32 8-Part Screenwriting Lab: Write your Animation Feature or TV Script (June 2026). With Evan Anglin

Streamers and studios are pouring more than ever into original animated content for TV and film, and right now is your moment to jump in. Imagine bringing your own unforgettable characters to life, building imaginative worlds, and writing stories that make directors, artists, and audiences sit up an...

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Scott Hardgrove

We have the message that the host hasn't started the meeting yet.

Kevin Aldrich

I'm having the same issue.

Kevin Aldrich

If still out keep trying. I finally got logged in.

Johnny Washington

Hey everyone! I am looking forward to getting our feedback this weekend! The script I submitted has been through several rounds of revisions, so I am looking for any feedback to tighten the script, im...

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Daniel Bayliss

Hi Evan Anglin! Just wanted to confirm 2 things:

- Am I correct that TV writers should try to submit their first 2 acts by EoD Thursday?

- When we'll start booking times for 1-on-1 consultations.

Also e...

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Liked by Mohammad Ali RANJBAR and one other

Charmane Wedderburn
July Filmmakers Club Week 2 – Animation That Inspires Me

One animated film that continues to inspire me is Chicken Run.

On the surface, it’s a hilarious escape comedy filled with unforgettable characters and brilliantly staged visual gags. But what has always stayed with me is the emotional heart beneath the humor. Every joke serves the story because the c...

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Mohammad Ali RANJBAR

I really like your perspective. To be honest, I have no idea how these animated films are actually made. In my opinion, making an animation like this is much harder than making a live-action film. I really admire the effort it takes.

Charmane Wedderburn

Thank you so much, Mohammad! I really appreciate that. I agree that animation is an incredible collaborative art form. While the writing process still begins with story and characters, it’s amazing to...

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Joshua Powell

Charmane Wedderburn, I love your point that animation is truly a collaborative art form. Audiences often see the finished film but don't always realize how many disciplines come together to create a b...

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Charmane Wedderburn

Joshua, that’s such a great example. Hopper is one of those villains whose motivation makes perfect sense from his own perspective, which makes him even more compelling. I also love your point about w...

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Liked by Dwayne Williams and 10 others

Cyrus Sales
Do We Really Need Live-Action Remakes?

Seeing the early tracking for Disney's live-action Moana got me thinking...

As animation artists and storytellers, do you think every successful animated film needs a live-action remake? Or would you rather see studios put those resources into creating new original animated stories?

Curious to hear w...

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Cyrus Sales

@Amy I agree, animation deserves to be treated as its own art form, not just a stepping stone to live action. It’s hard to justify remaking something if the original already does it better.

Cyrus Sales

@Ben I like this insight and I agree with a lot of what you’re saying. Someone else mentioned that there needs to be space between original films and remakes, and I think that’s an important point. A...

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Cyrus Sales

@Bob That’s a really interesting perspective, especially coming from someone who has seen the audience response firsthand through music. I think that ties into what a lot of people have been saying: i...

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Cyrus Sales

@Charmane Thank you, I really appreciate this perspective. I agree that it doesn’t have to be an either-or situation. A thoughtful remake can introduce a story to a new audience, but original animatio...

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Cyrus Sales

@Xochi Blymyer, I agree that original stories should continue to be a priority. Remakes will probably always exist across every genre, but the future of storytelling depends on giving new ideas and cr...

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Joshua Powell
What's one subtle animation detail audiences rarely notice—but instantly feel when it's missing?

Animation is full of details audiences never consciously notice...

...until they're missing.

What's one subtle animation principle that dramatically affects how believable a character feels?

Mike Boas

Eases. Really noticeable when they’re missing.

I’ve also seen hand-drawn films where I can tell it was done straight-ahead instead of pose-to-pose. That method often feels sluggish, without impact or the necessary exaggerated posing.

Joshua Powell

Mike Boas great point. Timing and ease are probably some of the least appreciated principles by audiences, yet they're often the difference between animation feeling "real" or "off."

Your observation a...

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Sandra Isabel
July Filmmakers Club Week 2: Animation That Inspires Me

For this week’s challenge, I wanted to share an animated short that inspires me every time I revisit it: Snow Bear by Aaron Blaise. It is a breathtaking reminder of how animation can hold emotional weight with such absolute purity.

What makes it so effective is its profound simplicity; there is zero...

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Sandra Isabel

No doubt, Cyrus Sales. It's a great animation short :)

Sandra Isabel

Oh Claudia Guerrero-Zalokar, I am so happy you watched. It speaks, and it's a universal message. Happy for that :)

Michael Teisan

Sandra Isabel That really brought me back to the animated features I grew up with. The music was really great. Thank you for sharing!

Wendy Kay

Thank you for sharing the video. It was like Charlie Chaplin in his silent movies. Expressions and music used to create a story.

Sandra Isabel

I am really happy you both appreciated Snow Bear. You are welcome, Michael Teisan. Yes, sometimes we don't need dialogue Wendy Kay, visuals and music with a great story are the perfect recipe. :)...

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Banafsheh Esmailzadeh
Eh? Eh? Eh? Eh? Ehhhhhhh…

In honour of my having completed a school-life story, I present you the origin of the famous “eh? eh? ehhhhhh” soundbite you might’ve heard floating around once or twice.

What’s your favourite school-life anime?

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/Lo3NvD-O9OU?ra=m...

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Angie Scharold
Adult animation - Bob's Burgers

I love this show and will often re-watch the reruns. The character building in this show is on point and the character arcs are great over time, even though the characters don't age. While I am personally working an a potential preschool-aged animated pilot, Bob's Burgers is an easy watch for me bec...

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Gurpreet Singh
If You Could Adapt One Myth or Legend Into an Animated Feature, What Would You Choose?

Animation gives storytellers the freedom to bring myths, folklore, and legends to life without the limitations of live action.

Personally, I’d love to see more animated films inspired by lesser-known stories from around the world, not just Greek mythology, but tales from the Himalayas, Africa, Japan,...

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Gurpreet Singh
Why The Lion King and Kung Fu Panda Still Set the Standard for Great Storytelling

Two animated films that continue to inspire me, no matter how many times I watch them, are The Lion King and Kung Fu Panda.

The Lion King is a masterclass in emotional storytelling. It balances spectacle with deeply personal character arcs, and the themes of identity, responsibility, and legacy remai...

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Cyrus Sales

Gurpreet Singh Great choices. Both films strike that rare balance of entertainment and emotional depth. The Lion King is one of the best examples of visual storytelling and character-driven emotion, w...

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Gurpreet Singh

Cyrus Sales great choice.i love all parts of spider

man.i haven’t watched the animation version though.i’ll give it a try and thank for the wishes.wish you the best too!...

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Bliss Ganza
The Animation That Inspired Me to Build SAVAGE SMILE ⚔️

One animation that completely changed how I think about storytelling is Demon Slayer. 1000% honestlyl

Before I started building SAVAGE SMILE, I was fascinated by how Demon Slayer mixed emotional characters, beautiful world-building, unforgettable swords, and terrifying enemies without ever losing its...

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Bliss Ganza

am really glad BASHA for your description on this

BASHA Penukonda

Thank you Bliss Ganza

Dave Pinero

Nice post

Robin Gregory

Wonderful post, Bliss! You're on an excellent journey through storytelling. Keep being amazing!

Bliss Ganza

Am really glad Robin Gregory, thank you

Dwayne Williams
July Filmmakers Club Week 2: Why Animation Can Take Your Story Anywhere

Take a look at Evan Anglin's Week 2 July Filmmakers Club blog and join this week's challenge if you haven't already! It's a great opportunity to share the stories that inspire you, connect with fellow creatives, and keep building momentum on your filmmaking goals throughout July: https://www.stage32...

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Raven Riley

I agree with you. Adult animation has been a huge industry that continues to grow. As someone who loves animated shows and movies, I’m excited for it to keep unfurling.

Leonardo Ramirez
My Favorite Animated Movie of All Time...The Iron Giant!

There's not enough good that I can say about my favorite animated movie of all time...The Iron Giant.

There's the superhero element there that I love, the "latchkey" kid family dynamic that I grew up in when it was still safe to stay out at night, the heart behind it (friendship, sacrifice) and of c...

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Leonardo Ramirez

Thanks Cyrus Sales . I've often wondered what a sequel would look like and even came up with an idea just for the fun of it. But at the same time, I don't know that I would want a sequel to take away...

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Cyrus Sales

Leonardo Ramirez I can say with confidence, leave it be lol. I feel like sequel's are a hit or miss. Especially with classics and especially when a lot of time has lapsed....

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Leonardo Ramirez

There have been sequels that are just as good because they are different than the first movie (I'm thinking "Aliens", "Star Trek II: TWOK") but those are few and far between Cyrus Sales....

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James Wunderlich

I'm looking forward to seeing this animated film at our local theater on August 1st. Sounds like I'm in for a treat!

Leonardo Ramirez

Sad to say I never saw this in theaters James Wunderlich but would love to.

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