With the advent of advanced hand-held technology and the widespread nature of the Internet, the world of animated filmmaking is more exciting and accessible than ever. Due to this cultural and technological development, the success of independent animated film makers is on the rise. Independent Animation: Developing, Producing and Distributing Your Animated Films, Second Edition showcases some of the greatest, most innovative giants in the field and helps guide readers through the artistic process and production techniques. Story development, casting, color theory, distribution and the intimidating aspects of production are elucidated using various examples of acclaimed, viral and award-winning animated films from all over the world. Readers will also explore the changing nature of audiences, festivals and distributors’ relationships with animation and be granted first-hand guidance in navigating the diverse fields of animated filmmaking.
Key Features:
- Covers the entire process of creating an independent animated film from story development and casting to editing and distribution
- Presents a comprehensive array of classic and contemporary case studies covering all manner of production methods from traditional pipelines to avant-garde, auteur and experimental approaches
- Features input and exclusive insight into the working processes of some of the industry’s most noteworthy indie animation talents, including Signe Baumane, Adam Elliot, Don Hertzfeldt, Kirsten Lepore, Robert Morgan, David OReilly, PES, Bill Plympton, Rosto, Chris Shepherd and dozens more
Additional resources and interviews are available through a special section of Skwigly Online Animation Magazine.
Author(s): Ben Mitchell
Edition: 2
Publisher: CRC Press
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 422
City: Boca Raton
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Author Biography
1 Introduction
What Exactly Is “Independent Animation”?
2 Story Development
The Character-Driven Approach
Character Development
Telling the Harder Truths
Note
3 The Visual Storyteller
Branching Out
Nightmare Worlds
Idea Generation
Returning to the Scene
Pleasing Abstractions
Note
4 Consider the Source
Standing Tall
Like Mindedness
5 The Beat of a Different Drum
Going Solo
From Scratch
Playing with the Majors
6 Going Webisodic
A Life in Webtoons
Different Worlds
The Virility of Virality
Instant Gratification
Notes
7 The Animated Documentarian
Anecdotal Value
Introspection
Self Reflection
Sticking Points
The Animation Advantage
Notes
8 Going Long
The Commitment Factor
Story Development’s Greatest Ally: Feedback
Staying Visible, Keeping Afloat
Notes
9 Funding
The Snowball Effect
Selling Yourself
Digging Deep
A Collective Effort
Customer Etiquette
Combined Resources
10 Keeping It Real
Manual Labor
Outside Assistance
Work Ethic
Wisdom in Hindsight
Notes
11 Getting Comfortable
The Comfort of Discomfort
Odontophobia
12 Casting and Performance
Going It Alone
Going Pro
Note
13 Thinking Outside the Lightbox
The “That’ll Do” Attitude
The “Nailed It!” Attitude
Programmers’ Perspectives
The Online Crowd
Notes
14 Keeping Up
Group Effort
New Perspectives
Notes
15 Combining Your Efforts
Duality
Splintering Off
16 Audience Interaction
Adventurous Spirit
To Defy the Laws of Tradition
Notes
17 Reinventing the Wheel
Rising High
Retro Vertigo
Late Nights
Notes
18 Perseverance
Staying Power
Hurdles to Overcome
19 Your Two Most Important Characters
Outsourcing
Composers’ Roundtable
Being Selective
Self Sufficiency
Approaches to Sound Construction
Out in the Field
The Hiss Factor
The Pop Factor
The “Oh God, My Ears” Factor
Notes
20 Putting Yourself Out There
Why Submit Your Film to Festivals?
Rejection: How to Deal
Film as Discourse
Notes
21 Distribution: A Brave New World
Tips for an Effective Online Release: A Q&A with Director’s Notes and Short of the Week Managing Editor Rob Munday
Book Smarts
Partnering Up
Unexpected Developments
Notes
Recommended Further Reading
Index
