The book, written by Skwigly Editor-in-Chief Ben Mitchell, provides insight into the animation industry, from story development and casting to editing and distribution, as well as an exclusive look 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 more.
Skwigly Online Animation Magazine has released the Second Edition of the official Skwigly book “Independent Animation: Developing, Producing and Distributing Your Animated Films.” Published by CRC Press (Taylor & Francis Group)/Routledge, the official book launch took place at the Bristol Animation Meetup (BAM), a regular U.K. industry gathering organized by Skwigly alongside local studios Rumpus Animation and Sun & Moon Studios. The book is now available for purchase.
Written by Skwigly Editor-in-Chief Ben Mitchell, the book features an enormous array of exclusive input from many of the most prominent and prolific names in indie animation, as well as curational insight from the teams behind some of the industry’s biggest events, festivals and distribution avenues.
The brand new 2023 edition includes updated and additional content from the original 2016 publication, with new case study interviews including filmmakers Don Hertzfeldt; David OReilly; Kirsten Lepore; Joost Lieuwma; Joseph Wallace (whose film Salvation Has No Name, from which the new edition’s cover image is taken, recently premiered online); and Tünde Vollenbroek; composers Skillbard; David Kamp; and Philip Brookes. It also includes unique insight into the worlds of funding, festivals and distribution from Kieran Argo; Helen Brunsdon (British Animation Awards); Luce Grosjean (MIYU Distribution); Steve Henderson (Manchester Animation Festival); Rob Munday (Short of the Week, Director’s Notes); Lauren Orme (Cardiff Animation Festival); Chris Robinson (Ottawa International Animation Festival); Daniel Šuljić (Animafest Zagreb); Marie Valade (Festival Stop Motion Montréal); Nag Vladermersky (London International Animation Festival); and Aaron Wood (Animation-Festivals.com).
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 most innovative giants in the field and helps to guide readers through the artistic and production process. 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 more
- Additional resources and interviews are available through a special section of Skwigly Online Animation Magazine.
Accompanying the release of “Independent Animation’s” Second Edition, Skwigly also announced their next book project – “Intimate Animation.” Tied in with the long-running Skwigly podcast of the same name, “Intimate Animation” will be written by Mitchell and prolific Skwigly Features Writer, filmmaker and educator Dr. Laura-Beth Cowley. With plans for a 2024 publication date (TBC), the second official Skwigly book will bring together a variety of prominent filmmakers and artists whose work in animation takes on themes of love, relationships and sexuality. For updates be sure to listen in to future episodes of the Intimate Animation podcast, whose fifth season will begin this year.
Source: Skwigly Online Animation Magazine
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
