Question from a reader:”Is there money in animation?”
My answer is there is always money in animation and the question you should be asking yourself is do you love cartoons, animation and/or comic books enough to do it as a living and not worry about whether you will be the next creator of Spongebob, Powerpuff Girls, Justice League, Chowder or Naruto.
People who get into comics or animation do it because they really love what they are doing and they love the genre. It takes a lot of work and luck to make it to the top of the cartoon food chain and if you are doing it in hopes of getting easy licensing agreements, royalties etc you may need to adjust your business plan.
Do you have a knack for drawing? Can you tell a story or a gag from a series of pictures? Do you like to make people laugh or cry with your art? If so, these are more along the lines of things that you should consider for becoming an animator. All the animators I know have good times and bad times. There is a huge interest in animation and because of the Internet and the chances of your video or art going viral, you have greater chances of being discovered and getting the fame.
From the fame, that might (note I said might) lead to money. Studios and distribution arms of companies are not generous in paying for cartoon rights and you may (or may not) have to sell the farm on your first creations to get your feet into the door. You can also start up your own website and host your own stuff there once you get going.
A great rule of thumb is see if people will want to look at your creative work for free and they keep coming back again and again. Then you can think of charging for them. At the very least you will build a portfolio that you can show potential producers or editors.
You should also learn the software tools that are out there for using color, generating cartoons and have a decent sense of what “looks good”. Have your friends and relatives give you honest feedback. Key word there was honest so if your Mom says, “Honey, everything you do is wonderful” you know that she doesn’t really mean it or if she does, she really loves you and ask her to clean your bathroom for you when you are too lazy or busy doing your cartoon doodles.
Be patient and get into an artist community and get back to me to let me know how you are doing.
So, there is money to be paid but you first need to have great ideas that are executed well and out there for people to see on television and the Internet for the money to be able to find a path to make it to you.
Have a great day everybody.
June 08 2009
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Kim Isaac Greenblatt
Is there money in animation? Check Mr. Crabs pants…