Hey everyone. I’ve been trying to get this animated web series idea fully realized, but my inability to pay people obviously makes it much harder. Animation is such an extensive thing, it’s clear why they’re not as open to simply an experience as many other types of creators. Don’t get me wrong—I fully intend to pay EVERYONE, but as of right now I simply can’t. Cast has been easier to find, but crew....less so. If I had some solid way I could finance this, I could make sure the idea gets the treatment it deserves as well as not do the awful thing of asking everyone to work really hard for free. It’s quite frustrating. Anyone have any thoughts on how I could improve this circumstance for both the show quality by hiring talented artists and not essentially exploiting those artists? (Logo for show attached)
Have you considered offering key people a percentage of ownership?
Hi Adam, animation is tough. I'd really recommend costumes and real actors. Why? because to animate even a few seconds can take hours and days. So that may be the problem. It's deceptive, looks easy. So that's probably why. You'd really need to explain to the animators/storyboarders this... Hope that helps?
Erik and Gary, thank you for your comments. To Erik: this idea is so near and dear to me, it has been developing in my mind since I was eight years old. I might find my way to grant certain licenses, but even if I could I don't have any proof of concept that would convince people that a percentage of ownership would be worth their time. You need experience to get experience, you know? No one wants to put their faith in the new guy but the new guy can't stop being the new guy until someone puts their faith in him. To Gary: I wish it were that easy. This idea is one that I really don't believe could work outside of animation, especially without a large budget behind me. Animation allows for a kind of imaginative playground that live action doesn't, and I need that for this.
1 person likes this
This may sound harsh, but...shelve it. Create things your budget can handle, build from there. It may take a while, but at some point you'll have enough cred to attract the people you need. This is on the assumption you want to make a career.
If your goal is to just make this one passion project, that's a whole 'nother path...
Animation is intensive more than extensive.
An animate part of character human or not must simply be such.
Display that.
Hi Adam, I would suggest even doing stick figures on a piece of paper, lay out your vision, complete with dialogue. Don't get hung up on details if you are not an artist. Have something you can share, even if it's 5 minutes worth (which you can time according to writing it in proper screen format). It's like thumbnails but not as intensive as a storyboard. Then, people will have a better time understanding it.
Adam, several animation projects have raised about a million dollars with Equity Crowdfunding. One was called 'Bunny Bravo" I think. We raised that much for our live action movie with Equity Crowdfunding. I'm giving a masterclass in November on how to do it, if you're interested.
https://www.equitycrowdfundingmasterclass.com/