Before I say anything, I want to appoligise in advance if this is the wrong place, area, etc. for this kind of question. I am just extremely lost on the web trying to find an answer to a complicated question.
My name is Kirsten and I'm 22 (almost 23.) I have always dreamed of hiring a team to create a animated web series based off a plot I have writen over the past 9 years. The story just started out as a simple short story any 14 year old would try to make. I ended up working on it on and off this whole time. It's kind of turned into a plot with multipal Arcs... I am not looking for it to be on tv (That's just insane...) I just wanted a web animated series... that I guess can go anywhere.
I know it takes MANY people, a big team, lots of time... and money. If it is possible to create something, is there a way to estimate the MINIMUN of how much one would need to make... a 20 minute episode. I know you can't hire people for fan fiction... so I will say this now: it's NOT.
If this is way too vage to help me even the slighest... I'll give a basic description if you ask. (I'm going to bet it is by a LONG SHOT)
I also want to know exactly what kind of people I would need to hire.
PLEASET NOTE: I'm asking this more as a future question, because I know I still have a LONG way to go with my idea.
If I asked this on the wrong website, can someone point me in the right direction? I don't know what to search or where to go. I hope this didn't break any rules either. My mind is low on energy with how much I search but don't know where to look. I just don't know what to do anymore... my thinking is just so clouded from tying this after searching for this place, too...
EDIT: Please forgive me for coming to the site, making an account and suddenly asking this. I am just so lost... like seriously. I felt like this might of been my first clue... after searching for a website that seems like it might be able to hopefully answer my general question. I'm just one person who has been writing a random plot for 9 years... and one day I wanna see it come to life.
you would be paying most likely by the minute. per minute of animation. something like 100 per minute of animation.
Hi Kirsten,
If I may... don't go the route of thinking it has to be expensive (of course, if you go to a company, they will quote you say 2 mil for a feature film). Instead, consider the simplist approach, such as the best you can draw (stick figures and then rough ones). No, it can't be done? Have you seen the artwork of Beavis and Butthead? SpongeBob is just a square, Patrick is just a star.
There is free softare out there, just depends on how much you want to learn (to do it correctly, many hours).
Once you get the characters, add frames and I would add dialog (again, going cheap for now as it's about STORY) but write it in, like a comic book. Add frames and detail to the faces. Believe me, it can be funny making mistakes with the timing, etc. of the animation (eye roll, slapping forehead...)
Put it on the Internet somehow. Then, as it's seen, it will be evaluated and continue as it is or be redone (someone else will foot the bill). You can later add good voice talent, and then go back and lipsynch. But the point is a 'rapid-approch' and not give up on your dream.
Hi Kristen!,
I know it can be a really confusing/intimidating thing to start an animated web series, I've been there.
First of all it's not clear to me if you're an animator or you're just the story writter, because it's much simpler if you have any animation knowledge, that way you can start bringing your story to life on your own. And even if you don't, you're super young and living in a time where animation is easier and more accessible than ever. I myself started learning animation when I was around your age.
As someone told you before, it doesn't have to be suuuuper expensive if you're willing to put in the work. It all depends mostly on your animation knowledge.
I'm a professor of animation and design in my country and I have written/produced a couple of animated independent series before, both for the web and for tv, so I know it can be intimidating to start one. I would happily give you more advice on where to start, but I would need more details.
If you're interested, let me know, we can exchange emails or something to help you further. :)
Roger that joorfer.
Where are you from?
Hi Kirsten
If you've been working on something for nine years and still have a long way to go, you may want to look at how you do art. For example, how clear is it to you. Could you, with no preparation give an elevator pitch that tells a potential funder/collaborator what its all about in under a minute? If you can't, focus on where you get stuck and keep trying until you can. That might shake the cobwebs loose and tell you what needs to go and what needs to change. Remember, if you can't explain it in a whole minute, you probably can't make it.
Next, what's it going to look like. Is it 2 or 3D? What's the look you want. For example, star wars was a so called 'used universe' where everything is dented and dirty and looks like it's been used rather than shiny and chrome plated. The most important quality animation must have is being pretty. If you have trouble coming up with visual styles look at everything from My Little Pony to Clone Wars and try to figure out what their designers wanted to achieve visually. Learn about color schemes and composition. Learn how cameras and light rigs work. You want to be able to get the images in your brain onto an MP4 as accurately and awesomely as possible. Heh heh.. awesomely...
Third, if you're still learning, find everyone who's been supportive and nurturing and positive in your life AND KEEP THEM THE HELL AWAY FROM YOUR ART. You want cold ruthless reality. If I tell you your stuff is good, believe me, I think your stuff is good. I'm not trying to be your friend. I'm not trying to create a safe space. Surround yourself with people who'll tell wen you you got a booger in your nose. They're worth their weight in gold to a true artist.
There's a lot more but I'm bored now. Good luck.
Good day, Kirsten. Hope your eagerness to create a great animated web series is still alive and you don't stop to make it possible.
Anyway, If my ideas may help, I would be happy to know this and push the project to realization.
First of all, from my experience, we need the idea to be formed at least to a synopsis. The synopsis is a basic thing, as wherever you go to start the project you need to tell (very quickly) about the universe, the characters and the story. So the best way if to form your series to clear description in several abstracts or even sentences.
Of course even better to have a script. Just a draft script, but easy for understanding - what is the storyline and what problems are revealed in your story.
And the secret is - you DON'T NEED a professional animator or scriptwriter on this first stage. It is totally the same as to launch a startup. First, you start to create based on your personal time and knowledge. On the later stages, you will definitely find the right people, who will support your ideas and help to push it to ready series.