How plausible is it to get an anime made?

Okay, so I'm thinking I need a reality check. I've written LOTS of stuff over the years, even getting a play of mine performed at my old high school...but now I'm attemping a whole other level of craziness.

I go to a college known for it's animation department, although I'm not in the animation program. I know people in the animation department, including professors who have worked on children's cartoons in the past. A few of them think I have script writing potential (key word: potential, I'm still learning to sharpen my craft). One is even trying to help me learn how to pitch a series. I know a TV producer who has evaluated some of my work and helped me learn to write scripts.

I want to pitch an anime to an anime studio like BONES, Sunrise, Production I.G. or Gainax. How probable is it that I can actually get it made? I have a character designer helping me with drawings for a character bible, I have written the whole series out pretty much (it's being edited now) and I completed the first two episode scripts. The anime is along the lines of Code Geass + Darker Than Black + the trope Fantasy Kitchen Sink as I've described elsewhere.

I know it's not likely to get made, but how likely is it? Please be honest and if anyone has any advice on how to get it made, please tell me. Thanks.

I totally hate my avatar. Just saying.

That silence is exactly as ominous as it seems. But I'm in a good mood. So my relatively uneducated advice? Don't waste your time aiming for Japan straight out of college. There is absolutely no pragmatic reason for them to choose you over a similarly skilled person from their own country. So you've got to be really, really skilled, not just some fresh-faced imbecile, and the only way to prove that is to get some experience.

If you're competent, you can get work doing animation in the States — try to focus on Animesque, of course. I don't know much about the industry, but as with any other business, you will have to kiss asses, polish boots, et cetera. Countless other TVTropes-addled men and women will be competing with you, and frankly, some of them will be better than you. Dirty deeds and office politics may prove more vital than your artistic skills. If your lucky, some kind soul with plenty of experience will read your script and tear it asunder so you can rebuild it, better than ever, but even earning that right will come hard. Life's a bitch.

But that which does not kill you will make you stronger. Keep working on your script — if you're clever enough, creative enough, and tough enough, you will be able to turn it into something glorious. If you still want to go East  ^*

from there, do so once you've got some references and a real resume to get their attention. Or, if you've gotten cozy with your place in the West, you can carry on with that, perhaps becoming a celebrity in your own right.

If you're incompetent... may Heaven have mercy upon you, for the material world shall not.

Cheery enough reality check?

Ooo! Sign me on!

@ Killer Clowns,

Thanks for the advice. I will take it to heart and work my butt off to fulfill my dream.

I was fortunate to already have my scripts torn apart by a producer. I probably need them torn apart further though.

Out of curiosity, do any of you think it is possible to make a TV 14+ to MA-V rated Western Animated show, drama-based, and air it on Adult Swim and the like? Then make popular worldwide? I ask this because anime is often rated higher, and my series is probably not suitable for Saturday morning cartoons. The Animation Age Ghetto is a pain...and I would love to break it. That's probably impossible for one show to do though. Most "adult" Western Animation I know seems to be comedy, and I want to do something along the lines of Code Geass and Darker Than Black, like I already said.

edited 12th Dec '10 6:17:01 PM by darkclaw

I totally hate my avatar. Just saying.

A bit of much what he said with a few pointers.

• Creating a compilation and whatnot with all of your ideas and stories put together is not enough to get a job over there. You have to almost learn a new language (depending where in Japan you are) and not only that, there is the remote chance that your ideas and storylines could mutate FAR BEYOND WHAT THEY WERE INTENDED TO BE if the executives in charge of it don't like it.

• It doesn't have to be in Japan to look like it's from Japan. You could be a trendsetter for all you want over here in America. If you wanted, you can outsource for the animation side of your project.

• Ignore the fandom/hatedom. They are completely unpredictable when it comes to making something that they will like. This step usually takes place while your series is created and what not. Don't go onto forums and read what people are saying on the internet about it, or read the comments section on anything related to it. Unless you are able to resist being influenced by them, negatively or otherwise. Fan reception is important, just don't let the vocal ones manipulate your work.

edited 12th Dec '10 6:12:38 PM by Vorpy

Troper Page

Thanks for the advice, Vorpy. I hope to be a trendsetter by making a popular at least 14+ cartoon that pretty much says "screw you" to the Animation Age Ghetto philosophy that "cartoons have to be for kids" (that's idiocy in my opinion). I might outsource, I recall The Boondocks did that. Plus, I don't want my ideas to change too much.

Also, thanks for the tip on ignoring the internet. Knowing me, I would probably do that if you hadn't warned me.

@ Killer Clowns...I REALLY HATE One More Day. Yeah, I'm not a fan of Joe Quesada either.

I totally hate my avatar. Just saying.

Darkclaw: Here's the thing, you're nothing unique. There are plenty of people who have the EXACT same dream, and the EXACT same plan. Do you honestly think a network is going to TOUCH something like that that isn't a tried and true formula? Look at poor ol Whedon.

Read my stories!

@Mr AHR - Well, actually, the networks pimped up Babylon5. Honestly, while Firefly may have not been conventional in a sense, it was still sci-fi.

In any case, unless you're Japanese, are a damn good mangaka with a following, don't bet on it until you are moderately successful. Even then, I wouldn't be surprised if a few anime studios won't want to work with you.

Half-Life: Dual Nature, a crossover story of reasonably sized proportions.

Yeah, I know I'm nothing unique. I'm not trying to say I am either. Still, is there any way to make an at least 14+ cartoon? As much as I like shows like Justice League or The Spectacular Spider-Man, I really don't want to "tone down" my series.

I mean, why is that drama-based anime can air in the United States late at night and be popular...yet we can't do the same for drama-based cartoons? The closest I can think of is Avatar The Last Airbender but that was (relatively) family friendly. With the sheer amount of brutal deconstruction in my story, I figured anime was the way to go...but I guess not now. Still, I'm not going to give up. Even if it's a senseless dream.

I don't care if it's an anime or a cartoon, I only initially wanted anime because it already has a rep for "darker" works. I will get it made somehow, someday.

edited 12th Dec '10 6:35:48 PM by darkclaw

I totally hate my avatar. Just saying.

Mostly because, in the West, we're still in the Animation Age Ghetto. We're working on subverting this, but you'll either get "cartoons are for kids/people who like South Park"/"anime? ew, you pervert" if you tried it now. Comics may be your best bet - for now - but you may be able to convince a non-Cartoon Network/Adult Swim network to air your animation.

I'm not much of a convincer, am I?

Half-Life: Dual Nature, a crossover story of reasonably sized proportions.

Any suggestions on companies and/or channels to pitch to? Cartoon (or anime, though it now seems unlikely) wise that is.

By the way, Jack Mackerel, you probably are a convincer. I'm just stubborn. Besides, the Animation Age Ghetto will NEVER break in the West unless someone steps up and airs a more "mature" cartoon.

edited 12th Dec '10 7:02:22 PM by darkclaw

I totally hate my avatar. Just saying.

Ya really have to have worked on other people's stuff in the industry before you start pitching anything of your own.

If you're determined enough, you (or someone you know) could animate it on your own. If it's good enough, you might make a little money (I got $30 from a one-minute Newgrounds submission), but more importantly, you might get noticed.

edited 12th Dec '10 7:04:20 PM by RTaco

Or have a few friends in the networks.

Half-Life: Dual Nature, a crossover story of reasonably sized proportions.

@ R Taco

Yeah, I'm thinking of producing a teaser for it. It'll cost a lot, but just to see three to five minutes of it in movement and action would be AWESOME. I want the teaser for pitching purposes BUT I also want to get a trailer for the internet produced and gain exposure that way. I'd better start saving.

@ Jack Mackerel

I know a producer...but he's mainly in live action. Then again, he did help Family Guy...but my show is a bit more "serious". And he's looking for romantic comedies at the moment.

edited 12th Dec '10 7:13:33 PM by darkclaw

I totally hate my avatar. Just saying.

If you want to do it for the art (like I do), throw caution to the wind and animate it yourself, and air it on the internet. (That's what I'd like to do with my own series, but alas, I cannot draw, let alone animate correctly.)

Half-Life: Dual Nature, a crossover story of reasonably sized proportions.

I am Doing It for the Art...but I think for 78 episodes at the standard 20-22 minute length, I would need a team. A large team. Hence the pitching. BUT hopefully the teaser and trailer idea might help, since I wouldn't need as large a team.

I totally hate my avatar. Just saying.

Grab a buddy or two. >.>

Seriously though, yeah, you'll need a studio, but you can't get that until you pitch. The trailer/teaser should be self-animated, then

Half-Life: Dual Nature, a crossover story of reasonably sized proportions.

When you guys say "animate it yourself"...I mean, how do you even do that? Are there specific programs for it, and do you still end up drawing an absolutely ridiculous number of individual frames? I did a stop-motion animation video once by cutting the 'seconds per picture' speed in windows movie maker down really far, but it really couldn't handle it and froze all the time.

Also, though I commend your efforts and your optimism, the animation age ghetto is not going to be ended by one show. I'm not sure the animation age ghetto can be ended at all. It's deeply ingrained in american culture. You're probably better off going live action, and when you try, I bet it won't 'work'. Something about watching real people doing things that were written for animated characters is not going to fall into place, and it's going to look stupid, and you'll maybe realize that there are differences between animation and live action beyond the animation itself that reserve animation for children and comedy.

But then, maybe it will work. Maybe you'll have something amazing (and live action) and it will introduce American audiences, through a medium they already trust and understand, to the conventions of animated drama, opening the door for animated productions of the same tone.

Wait...it's probably harder to get a live-action show made...there goes that idea. In that case I vote for either animating it yourself and putting it on the internet or turning it into a comic.

Maybe they are talking about animating with Adobe Flash?

Has ADD, plays World of Tanks, thinks up crazy ideas like children making spaceships for Hitler. Occasionally writes them down.

It costs a LOT of money for animating a teaser with a team I hear, but it depends on who you get to animate it. Theoretically, for a three minute teaser, I'm looking at paying hundreds by asking for a discount from some animators I know. Why? If it does get optioned, with their names in the credits, they could end up working on the series as well.

I talked to an animator about this a while back, and he told me the business is all about favours when you first try to get in.

edited 12th Dec '10 8:47:47 PM by darkclaw

I totally hate my avatar. Just saying.

Animating with Flash is fucking hard. Animating by hand and uploading manually may be the best bet.

Half-Life: Dual Nature, a crossover story of reasonably sized proportions.

Animating in Flash really isn't that hard at all. There are numerous tools that Flash provides to make the animating process actually quite easy if you're willing to take the time to get to know the interface and the tools available to you. The ability to tweak vectors to your liking is always handy.

How do you want to get this rendered:

For a comic book For a television broadcast, or For a film release

?????

edited 13th Dec '10 6:55:51 PM by 66Scorpio

Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you are probably right.

A few questions/suggestions...

• Have you researched any specific animation studios that you might be interested in? Ask for some questions to be answered for someone wanting to get into the business, and ask for a tour if you want. Getting an animation team set up will work successfully if you learn from someone who is doing it well already.

• Don't forget how much needs to be animated. Remember that with each character that comes along, it's going to require some time and money to get the staff to be able to depict them and animate them correctly. Same thing with scenery, action sequences, environmentals, CGI (if applicable) and anything that would require new material to be drawn and practiced.

• Self-animation is easier than setting up an animation business or joining one, but remember not to get lazy on the animation, because if you get any fans, they may notice it, and then soon enough, everyone will notice.

• Do you have any examples (artwork) of the anime you were talking about, that you wish to be made? It's always good to get reception on your artwork before deciding to animate it, lest you make an animation and then notice that the legs are too long or the eyes are too far apart, only to find it's too late to change.

Troper Page

In response to Vorpy:

• I had only really researched anime studios up to this point. However, I need to figure out some Western Animation studios that would be interested since most seem to be interested in the children's demographic. Fortunately, I can think of one group that might be interested...but in order to talk to them, I need to get my two scripts I have done up to beyond a professional level. In other words, they have to be as impressive as possible and I need a great query letter, if I am to get their attention. I'm thinking of saving my money again (a college student's salary is really, really sucky I'm finding) and sending the scripts to a script doctor to get suggestions on what to change in the next draft. I'll probably do so around Christmas.
• Yeah, I read up on the budget aspects just last night. Apparently in early scripts when you don't have as many animators, too many background changes (as in changing scenes) is a big no-no as well. I'll have to talk to an animator again to get an idea of how much is "too much".
• I am never lazy...except with schoolwork, but that's another story. As for animators, it all depends on them but I would try to ensure they aren't. My character designer isn't lazy either which leads to...
• Yes, I have some artwork of some characters. My only problem with them is that they are far too Fan Service-y for the series. Don't get me wrong, the series can be a Fanservice/Fetish Fuel/etc. filled series...during the Breather Episodes anyways. The rest of what I wrote is pretty messed up and filled with Tear Jerkers. So, I feel like telling her to tone down on the Fanservice just a little. Also, I'm conflicted on the Bishōnen/Bishoujo designs. Though they are really good, due to the series playing a lot of things for deconstruction, reconstruction (rarely) and parody, I figured the designs should be slightly more realistic (it looks like Code Geass with fan service-y noodle people...I was hoping for a more Fullmetal Alchemist design (the second anime). Still, I figure I could keep their basic outfits, designs, etc. and ask her to make them less Fan Service-y since I'm mostly happy with them. And then see if I can get someone to render her desgins into FMA-style, or just have her do it.

And before anyone asks, I can't upload the pictures without her permission. If anyone thinks it's a good idea though, I can ask her.

edited 14th Dec '10 5:07:19 AM by darkclaw

I totally hate my avatar. Just saying.