Looking for an animator

[marvink]

I am looking for animation people to work with me on a cartoon version of a screenplay. I am a new screenplay writer trying to break into the business. I can post the script if anyone is interested. Students would probably be best since I don't have the money to pay the individuals involved. However I would be willing to split any earnings that might be collected in the event we sold the completed product. If anyone is interested I would be happy to hear from you. Marvin.

[madrobot]

[jahnocli]

I am looking for animation people to work with me on a cartoon version of a screenplay. I am a new screenplay writer trying to break into the business. I can post the script if anyone is interested. Students would probably be best since I don't have the money to pay the individuals involved. However I would be willing to split any earnings that might be collected in the event we sold the completed product. If anyone is interested I would be happy to hear from you. Marvin.

Not really a *job*, though, is it?...

[marvink]

Thanks for the replies. Don't know why you wasted your time, but thanks anyway. Marvin.

[sbtamu]

Thanks for the replies. Don't know why you wasted your time, but thanks anyway. Marvin.

You didn't waste any ones time. It's just that we get these kind of post all the time. Come on in, sit a spell, have some coffee, get to know the community and build up some trust. You would be surprised at how that will help.

[Imago]

I am looking for animation people to work with me on a cartoon version of a screenplay. I am a new screenplay writer trying to break into the business. I can post the script if anyone is interested. Students would probably be best since I don't have the money to pay the individuals involved. However I would be willing to split any earnings that might be collected in the event we sold the completed product. If anyone is interested I would be happy to hear from you. Marvin.

Don't be angry, but we had got many messages from bots that are similar to your one.

[Mikdog]

-edit, removed-

J Baker's right - maybe there's someone who's willing to work for free for now and looking for experience? Not my place to interfere.

[J. Baker]

This is exactly why this forum pisses me off. If you don't like what the guy has offered, don't freaking reply. Their are a lot of jobs out there, where the pay doesn't come until the end. This forum is so much more negative then it ever has been.

[Rhoel]

Their are a lot of jobs out there, where the pay doesn't come until the end.

To be fair, JB, this one doesn't even have any pay guaranteed at the end, it's an "if". The guy is a new writer, his first screenplay (so 120 minutes kind of screenplay) and he has no concept of what is involved.

I help out behind the scenes here with projects which may or may not go forward. And yes that includes work for free. But this request just made me wince.

There are too many unanswered questions about the project - this is his first script so is it correct animation script format? Is it 30 sec a page or 1 minute a page? Is it broken into shots, etc. It would have been better if this had been posted as a request for assistance on creating mock-ups etc, model sheets and general help is making a pitch book.

Unfortunately, Marvink's approach was just wrong and it upset people. Hopefully he can run an outline of how long, genre, script draft number, etc. That at least it will give folks a half chance of evaluating the viability of the idea, and kick in ideas to make it happen.

Rhoel

[DK]

Once again I will say. There should be a seperate category for these posts.

D.K

[marvink]

Sorry, I did not mean to upset any of the board members. I am new to this type of thing. I am a new screenplay writer and I currently working on my fifth one. I have a script that is in regular screenplay format. I am not familiar with amimation format at all but would like to learn. The script I have is called "It's Not Easy Being Cristopher Hungwell. it is an adult comedy but not porno. The main acharacter Chris is a very peculiar looking boy who discovers he has a edge over the other boys, an unusually large penis. This edge eventually makes him one of the most popular boys at school especially the girls.

I feel the script would be good as an amimation because of his peculiar appearance, voice, and manerisms.

My approach I realize was wrong, but I was looking for individuals who might want to help me bring this script to life. I would be glad to post the script if anyone is interested. Again, sorry for my approach and i look forward to working with the members of the board. Marvin.

[Rhoel]

Pro animation scripts are different in that they run 30 secs to the page, not 1 minute to the page. This is because every shot is a scene, each with their own scene heading and new action

Code: Select all

EXT. WALLACE'S HOUSE - DAY                                                                         21
Wallace is bent over a silent lawnmower, looking puzzled. Grommet runs up with large mallet in mouth.

                                                  Wallace:
                                          (delighted)
                          Ah, that should do it Grommet me boy.

He takes the mallet in his left hand.
                                                                                                    CUT TO:

EXT. WALLACE'S HOUSE - DAY                                                                         22
BCU of lawnmower engine.

etc

The secret of script writing is editing. Write it once, the go back over it 2-3-4 times looking at how it flows. Is it working to length - writing to length is one of the hardest things to do ... the story might be great and the words perfect but if it's two pages long, its still wrong.

Once the script is done, you need to storyboard it. to get the camera angles right, the position of all characters working so continuity from scene to scene is right. Often people digitize the board and import it into Premiere Pro, and run it against the actual/or self recorded guide voice track. This becomes the blue print of the offline edit, the roughs and final colour being cut into the "work-print", replacing the storyboard panels. This way you see the whole film developing, see potential continuity issues BEFORE you start a new scene.

There also needs to be model sheets ... the guide drawings of what your characters look like; animators need to have those so what animator A is drawing, will match what animator B will has drawn.

Then there are backgrounds: Often overlooked in planning but they have a huge effect of the final look of the film. Will your characters sit on the background naturally? This means not just the rendered texture but the colours, detail and contrast.

Voice track comes first in animation - post sync is hard, expensive and rarely looks as good. But its unusual for all the actors to be in the same place at the same time to record. So that introduces a new problem - the audio doesn't cut together - different actors interpret the script differently - some might read a line surprised when in fact it should be a statement. Or the recording quality made over time or place produces a different ambient which doesn't work when cut together.

There are a raft if problems needing to be resolved even before you start animating a single frame.


Pitch Books:
Due to the huge cost of animation production (both time time or money), it is common to make a pitch book: This is a informational pack you take to the money people, other collaborators, etc, to sell the idea.

Pitch Books still take time to prepare, but can often be the difference between getting a film made or not. In a PB should be a copy of the script, model sheets, a synopsis of the film or series, who the key actors are (especially if they are "names"), and some high grade set-ups (characters acting out on actual backgrounds). The setups are key as its the first thing a TV exec will look at - does the content look like it will fit with their channel. If its a YouTube Download, then the visitor will still use the same decision method to see it its worth their while watching. Often a test animation/clip will be included, just to see how it "works". Not essential and I have submitted many PB without video. But it can help improve a proposal getting support from money people, people who are notoriously bad a evaluating written works and stills.

So Marvink. if you want this to be an animated epic, then the script should be in animation format, and to the right length. You might want to check out the Adult Swim channel as it sounds like this might be your best option to place this. Look very carefully at their running times - I don't mean their 30 minute program slots: I mean the amount of programming used in a 30 minute slot - the minus adverts, program trailers and other channel inserts. Your 30 minute script might just be 27 minutes or less. Look at the title sequences too - most stations have a policy on how much title you can have - a 3 minute title sequence might save you $50,000 on a series but it won't fly with broadcasters. BBC publishes a very good producers guide, with all that information in it. (Google it).

Best of luck with it. The idea is interesting but placing it with a TV broadcaster will be very difficult. Programming to teenagers is the hardest to sell and if it content deemed risque, it will close the placement options even more.

Personally, I think the story stands a better chance of being published as a book; If its successful, there will be producers who will pick it up as an animation project. Somewhere I read that as much of 60% of all children's programming came from published books.

Hope this helps.

Rhoel

[Rhoel]

Once again I will say. There should be a separate category for these posts.

D.K

Agreed.

[funksmaname]

Once again I will say. There should be a separate category for these posts.

D.K

Agreed.

and thrice agreed... how about 'Collaboration Calls'
Although I hypothesise if such a category was opened, the 'animation jobs' will be a place of tumbleweeds and distant church bells eventually to be closed down

[marvink]

Thanks, very helpful information. I will have to do some work I see. Not sure if it would be worth it right now. Thanks again. Marvin.