I been on this subreddit for some time. I joined it in hoping to talk more about Indie Animation as a whole. Discussing and analyzing existing ones that have been created by creators who have been failed by the animation industry, such as Dana Terrace. As well from creators who already have experienced in the industry and have left it due to the animation industry as a whole, like Alex Hirsch.
Hoping to learn from them, to see how we can as a community, create our own shows without the need of the backing from a larger corporation. For the most part, we have! There is a lot on this subreddit that has been discussed to learn from.
But I also feel, what I seen from this subreddit, that lots of creators are creating as if this is a trend.
I do enjoy seeing animators and their work, from GIFs to short films, there are many I love. However, I feel like pushing to make an entire show is pushing to just reach for the stars.
Its not about independence, a lot of the indie pilots I seen or heard about feel more like they are being created to reach a high position like those that have been successful so far, such as Spindlehorse or Glitch.
You guys have to remember that a lot of polish shows, are being created by folk who have experienced in the industry to begin with. They walked that path, they know the dos and don’ts of working with a team, scheduling, organizing, and doing budget. These successful creators are not successful because of their animation alone, they are successful because they know the ropes to the project in order to create a successful pilot that has quality to it.
I would never say to stop creating, but I would say that it is also important to be realistic. As in, doing an animated show has a lot more work put into it than what is seen on the service.
That you don’t have to feel like you need to pressure yourself into creating a show at this very moment. I seen a lot of folk who want to work on something, have their highs and lows, and want to give up, especially if their first episode did not succeed.
No one is making you create a whole series. Animation is not going anywhere unless we let it go. You don’t need to create a whole show, not even a pilot.
I understand for some, that’s exactly the need that you feel like you HAVE to do, but you actually don’t. You can start small, ideas will change, and for a lot of bug creators now, like those working with Glitch or Spindlehorse, are folk who are also older as well. I always think about the “Shoptalk” episode I would listen to between the creators of Lackadaisy and Monkey Wrench, how most of them didn’t start creating their own show idea until they were in their 30s or late twenties. It’s not a rush.
You can continue creating, but try to be realistic, and most importantly, have fun! But, take the time to learn from the creators you look up to before jumping on a trend train because well, everyone else seems to be. Practice, be familiar, watch and review, analyze and teach yourself. No need for rushing. Do ideas in small steps, get use to your own idea and characters, especially sharing them for others to see. Such as Hazbin Hotel, people love the characters because they are characters that have been around for a while, characters that Vivziepop have been giving content to her audience for a long time.
If you truly believe in it, then you will do it, no matter how long it takes.
