Can you kickstart your webcomic in a live series? Or something like a anime?

[realSean_Murphy]

Sorry to hear..
Also, I guess I could ask but what software did you use? And, was it all done on hand?

[ToonDoctor]

Traditional animation by hand. There are several professional production animation software for television and film that you would not know about or probably afford.

Animation production is not easy. Take a hint from @kamikaze and me. Focus on your comic instead!

Good luck.

[Kayke]

I'm actually involved in trying to get an animation project off the ground right now, but the goal isn't to actually fund a whole animated series via kickstarter because that would be insane. We're just trying to fund a proof of concept animation to pitch around to networks/netflix.

A colleague of mine is the show runner and in charge of the actual money stuff as well as the story. I've been doing the art side of things: character design, background design, story boarding, visual development. And we've hired a few freelance animators to do the animation stuff... but it's a long, expensive process. If you want quality work, you have to pay the artists working for you.

Finding a team of animators has been the biggest struggle so far and we've basically had to function as an indie animation studio. We've been reviewing resumes/portfolios and giving background/walk cycle tests. Also having meetings with potential investors for the project as well as people who could help us get funding.

All of this is BEFORE we've started the kickstarter campaign to fund the pilot because we want to have stuff to show backers and also prove that we can handle the organization and work load of preparing the pilot/pitch.

[Kamikaze]

Ted Sarandos is basically given final say in what get's made at Netflix. There's a balance system with funding departments, but yeah - he's basically the person to get the attention of. Netflix does have other people below him working to hear pitches, and they make their way up the ladder to him.

Kamikaze didn't fail, per se - we just had to shift focus. Because we started out with no fanbase what-so-ever, we created the comic as a proof of concept, a way of pulling together fans, and to show that our vision is possible. Our process of comic creation actually follows a VERY similar process to animation, so it's also a bit of a test to show, "nah this can be done, but it's gonna be expensive."

I was talking to Greg Weisman (Gargoyles, Young Justice) and he really liked the work that we've done on Kamikaze, but he said with the way networks are treating creators right now, that it's "a goddamned miracle that ANYTHING get's made these days." Networks just aren't interested in what we have right now, and that's part of the game. Hollywood is an arena that has little room for indie folks, because they're just so focused on HUGE projects with well known franchises that drive a lot of money.

If you want to read the comic and review it @xeithe we're always happy to hear the thoughts of other creators from a critical point of view! If you'd like to connect DM me. I'd be happy to answer any questions and point you to some great resources.

[Mharz]

1 minute is good enough for a trailer. You can actually create a story with 2-3minutes. I used to have the idea to make my stories into animation as well but when I worked in a studio, I realized that it's absolutely hard. Which is why I just did a webcomic instead. It's easier to do on your own.

This is one animation short our studio did for a client.

This 3 minute short took if I remember over a month from pre-production to post-production and we already had a lot of people working with that. Imagine if you're doing 10-20mins.

[realSean_Murphy]

If I did do a short video, I'd probably post it to Youtube as a short concept trailer. To see who would be interested. If say like the fanbase was interested, would it then be a good idea to send it in to a studio? (Yes, I mean a LARGE fanbase, not a small one.)

[realSean_Murphy]

What about Indie studios? Say if you pitched a concept trailer like I said above, could they be more interested then a major studio, simply because they are more likely to turn it down?
Also, if say I were to pitch a idea to a studio, know of any good ones that one could start with?
If I do, sorry if I say anything that could disappoint you, just take it with, you know, a way it could be improved. That's normally how I look and see how I could improve, don't let it drag you down.

[Kamikaze]

Indie studios are definitely a way to go, but usually they're more interested in creating their own in house work and pitching it to networks or releasing it themselves. If you do pitch to an indie studio and they like it, more than likely you'd still have to pay them for the work in some capacity, unless they buy the idea off of you outright. Usually with small studios you're looking at handing over a good cut of ownership and profits to see your creation made, and after that point - unless you have a very good relationship with them - they'll keep you out of the creative loop unless they need you for something.

If you're going to pitch to studios you have to know what kind of genre you're looking at creating, and what studios gravitate to that genre OR who are looking for something that fits with your idea. For example, you wouldn't pitch Cowboy BeBop to the Seasame Workshop. You wouldn't pitch Thomas the Tank Engine to Madhouse INC. Target your pitch to a studio that's going to be interested in your work in the first place. As far as studios to suggest, I can't really tell you who to go to, because I don't know what you're trying to sell. A good deal of the work in pitching isn't just creating your pitch, it's the footwork of finding out who to pitch to.

And seriously DO NOT worry about offending or getting us down. We've been raked across the coals so many times it's really hard to get under our skin at all. Don't hold back. Go for the throat. If you find something that needs fixing let us know. We ain't made of china bb. EDIT to say: Hey here's a link to Kamikaze! Hope you enjoy it.