Script #1 and My Process

Writing the first script was a bit daunting at first. I've written some stuff before and while I think I have a decent sense of humor I read it back and couldn't believe what I had just written. It's funny I'd always critique comedies for using cheesy stupid jokes (Not the good kind of cheesy). Then I started trying to write funny things annnnnd low and behold I was writing the same awful cheesy stuff. I've worked on that sense but sometimes it sneaks out.

So In summary the first episode will be called "The Commerical" (I'm going for a Seinfeld titling style). It will feature Carl's first commercial gig and wanting to show everyone. That's all I'm giving away for now. It will only include 4 characters and 3 sets. So it should be a great first episode to see how everything works and looks.

This first script went surprisingly well. I'm trying to keep the scripts short so I don't have to spend an extra 40 hours outside of work doing the same thing I do inside of work. Each episode should be around 2 - 3 minutes. But I'll have everything already premade so it's not like I'll have to start over each time I animate.

40 hours just to make a 2-3 minute video!?

I know.... it's insane how much time goes into animation.

Which brings me to my next point. My process. I'm just going to give a quick rundown of what it takes to make an animation.

So, on average, it can take anywhere from 20 to 40 hours to complete 1 minute of animation. So in general we estimate around 30 hours per minute of finished animation (at work). This 90 hours for 3 minutes of animation includes each of the following steps: Creative approach, script, storyboard, animatic, voice over recording, asset creation (drawing), animation, sound effects/music, and final editing and export.

Each part of this process takes time. I can easily spend a whole day just working on a script if there's a lot of points they want to cover and a lot of information to sift through. The animatic is basically just an animated storyboard. Simple, but takes quite a bit of time. Asset creation and animation definitely take 70% or more of the time. Sound effects and final export usually can take an entire day. It's one of my favorite parts, however. Silly sound effects and a good voice over are the final touches that bring to animation to life.

Now, with this cartoon I will only have to do a few of these steps once. I should only have to create new assets (mostly props) as I need them. Scripts will come fairly easily the more I get to know the characters. Since I know how the animation will play out in my head I won't really need a storyboard/animatic. Animation will go fairly quickly (compared to a new animation) as I will have all the characters rigged and prepared for animation. And finally sound effects and music should all be established beforehand so it should be as simple as putting them where needed.

And that's the basics of my process. With all of these steps complete I will have more time to give attention to the actual content of the cartoon as well as developing more content for it's other partners.

No media today. Oh wait... I know. How about a gif animation of Ing? This was a rigging/lip synching test. Turned out great! If you listen really closely you can hear him. (Yes, I'm kidding)

Ed - "My company ith called Loud Crunch Thtudioth. We thpecialize in theriouth gameth for theriouth playerth"

^^ That was not easy to write. ^^