Atlanta Film Festival Panels: First Up-Screenwriting for Animation

The Atlanta Film Festival is up and booming this year with the majority of panels happening at 7 Stages in bustling Little Five Points, Atlanta. I attended a few panels this year so I'll be making a few posts covering them. I'm not promising a complete overview-you kinda had to be there, BUT I'll be able to emphasize the major points from my notes.

First Up:

Screenwriting for Animation 

with Matt Jenkins and Stephen Mank

• we start with possibly the most important factor to take into account when considering animation for a project: "Why is it animated?"
• second most important factor, driven home throughout the panel by Matt Jenkins: it's all about the budget
• every animator has a pet project-keep that in mind because it might lead to favors and you-owe-me-ones in the future
• the last 10% of all projects is the most grueling but no matter what, even if you have to scale back a project, GET IT DONE! 
• crowd scenes and multiple locations cost money-use sparingly and only if absolutely necessary
• there is a constant push and pull between story and budget (if you haven't already gathered that)
• the more you can handle all aspects of the production simultaneously-the more organic the process becomes
• funny writers are the best to work with-keep it light
• funny scripts make animators excited about a project
• solicitation of scripts is a big turn-off THOUGH giving them visuals and storyboards, something visual, isn't that frowned upon--it's a lot easier and less painful to read visuals than a script
• trading work is the law of the land, like I said-every animator has a pet project and throughout film and animation you can trade work on someone's project for work on your own
• when pitching an idea-know who's paying for it and where the money is going
• you should also know in a pitch where the end result is going (syndication, film festivals, internet, etc)
• as emphasized in an earlier post-it is not uncommon to work on projects for free when you first start out to gain experience
• just to drive this point into the ground-get someone to think you're FUNNY!
• internships are the best way to get into the business
• voice-acting helps with the writing and pitching process because you can help others visualize

Amanda Palmer TED Talk

For those of you who don't know who Amanda Palmer is (you should be Google-ing it right now) Her bravado and artistic resolve are something to be greatly admired. The former Dresden Dolls front-woman recently made waves through her proof of concept Kickstarter campaign for her first self-released album, "Theater is Evil." (Here is her TED biography.)

I have been an avid fan of hers for years and count her among my industry role models so when I heard she was going to do an infamous TED Talk I simply could not wait to see the video. Needless to say, she did not disappoint.

I believe her words are applicable to all forms of art and you can clearly see the passion behind what she is saying. If you're itching for more of her lyrically extravagant words I would highly suggest her Blog as well.

(FREE)lance

Before I get into this I would like to note that this is a rather opinionated post but I believe in what I'm saying.

I was drawn to this video via an artist (I'm not naming names) I whole-heatedly respect. I do not know the guy in the video but I believe the artist who posted it. The video is after the clip and I believe while it is worth a watch I REALLY wanna clarify what it all means because I have come across this a lot and I don't want the message construed the wrong way.

FREE "Moonrise Kingdom" Visual Guide/Script

Love it or hate it (I loved it), "Moonrise Kingdom" is up for a fistful of awards come this Oscar season and in celebration they have released a FREE Visual Guide/Script PDF download (linked HERE). I love books but I'm ECSTATIC for free books and this one is a gem I would have happily payed for! The PDF includes the full scripts as well as rudimentary storyboard sketches, stills from the film, and behind the scenes shots. Anyway, it's a good read with some great visuals; definitely worth a look (did I mention it's FREE?)

The Books of 2012

If you're new to the blog or have the attention span of a marmoset, I LIKE BOOKS. BOOKS ARE GREAT! Ironically one of the best tools for filmmaking and animation as well as comics and every other form of storytelling.

So, I've decided to go through my top picks for 2012! 

On top of that, I have a special treat:

Chris Schweizer of Crogan Adventures fame

and

Gregg Azzopardi of the late Disney Florida animation studio, a founder of Project Firefly Animation Studios, and contributor to a list of projects too lengthy to mention

Have agreed to contribute!

Obligatory Oscar Post

It is time again for Oscar nominations in the usual archaic fashion. I'm pissed. It happens. I should know better. I should stop caring but I am once again let down--forever the optimist, I'm afraid.

Anyway, I'll try to make this brief. In fact, Moviebob already put it rather eloquently in his Escapist Article.

Basically my thoughts are the same, though I'm rather livid about the majority shun of "Cloud Atlas" (great flick, highly recommend) and the inclusion of a so-so rom-com (Silver Linings Playbook) in most categories.

Since little has been said on the animation side, I'll focus on that.

Yet Another Year

Sooooo, the Mayans were wrong...or, more likely, most people who interpreted Mayan calenders were wrong-either way WE'RE ALL STILL HERE! In celebration, I say the blog needs updates. Part II of Animation for Web Comics will not be happening in the foreseeable future but I will be updating on a more regular basis!

Also: I have started an Art Tumblr to showcase (dump) sketches, inspiration, and insight.

ALSO: Also: More frequent tweets from the ol' Twitter acount!

ALL SEW: ALSO: Also: More updates to come-particularly on my portfolio side www.davidhfilms.com!