Animation

Daniel Husbands I agree, AI will not destroy creators. CG didn't destroy stop motion, although it crippled traditional animation on the feature level. There will still be creatives who will do things their own way. But as far as studios are concerned, they will go with the faster and cheaper approach anytime they can.

Let's hope the work by true creatives rises above the noise, Bob Harper. I love seeing work that's created by people, and AI looks so weird to me.

With all of the experimenting I've been doing I predict this will be just one tool in the production process of animation as we now know it.

Terence Daniels Unfortunately this tool will replace many artists currently working at studios in a variety of departments from, concept art, storyboarding, character design, animation, modeling, rigging etc., etc., etc.

It's really an opportunity for indie artists to get together and tell the stories they've always wanted to.

Completely agree, Bob Harper!

Was Talespin even original to begin with? I mean, when you think about it, Talespin was rebooting characters from the Jungle Book.

There is so much churn of "legacy" projects that it can be hard to miss the amazing original work being done. I agree with Maurice Vaughan - there needs to be a balance. Go ahead and try rebooting "Underdog" but please make sure I still get "Past Lives".

In a way, it was an early transmedia property, Mike Boas. It took well-known characters like Baloo and continued their story in an original way that existed within the established universe. I would still count that as an original property since Talespin was its own unique story.

That's a good point, taking characters and expanding their stories is another way to create new and interesting properties. Kind of an in-between, not new characters but new story/situation.

Has anyone heard of Bentkey apparently they are trying to bring kids cartoons back?

Daniel Husbands I've heard of Bentkey. They plan to be an alternative to Disney.

Daniel Husbands Yes, Bentkey is Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire's kids streaming app.

Hi, Stephen and Bob. Good points you both make. I agree that writing what interests you, and doing it well, is much better than chasing trends. Which do pass. See more at the DC and Marvel over-saturation and dropping of late.

Our experience: we have a script set in Cuba in 1948 that was under consideration by MGM in the 80s until a regime change. We sent it around over the years. Then when the Obama administration warmed to Cuba we submitted it to the Bahamas Intl. Film Festival. It was one of the winners and we got to spend a week in the Bahamas at a Writers Retreat - pretty fabulous. Recently we had a request for the script. May you all find success with your creative projects.

Pamela Jaye Smith Great point! I think we're all agreed that we should write whatever we passionately connect to, as that will naturally lead to the best work. And, as your experience makes clear, even if what you're passionate about is currently "off-trend," trends change and times change. Good stories written with heart never go out of style!

I'd watch it, Andrew Horvitz! They gotta include the WB water tower if a movie is made. Maybe the tower could change into different vehicles and ships for the Animaniacs to travel in.

Sounds like a winner!

100% agree, Maurice Vaughan! It wouldn't be the Animaniacs without it!

It would be cool if any other company would be involved other than Warner Bros. who doesn't have a good recent track record in committing to their movies.

I would love to see that!

I appreciated the point that this article made about Nimona having once been canceled. It's crazy to think about the projects that could have made an impact if given the opportunity.

I like the variation in styles. I think anyone who underestimates the impact that AI is going to have in the very near future does so at their peril. Much like how a lot of traditional animators pooh-poohed CGI in the 90s, this will be a tsunami-like shift in the industry, and it will be here before you know it.

I am looking to take photo realistic Leonardo.ai to 3D into Unreal for www.mildmanneredmen.com . I argree with Mike Boas, Sora, Stable Image, will change film making.

I watch your MMM Promo! Have you ever played GTA IV? Also some Cowboy Bebop and Archer influence in there I think. I've done a lot of experiments with different images and styles and found that the character consistency will be a relevant one even with Sora. With the models we have now we have just enough control but Sora just creates everything. Once its generated, if there is anything off you've waited longer for something that doesn't quite match your intent en masse.

Of course, there are other models coming which supplant the film making process with standardized scene flow formats. I can see a lot of hollow content coming forth, things I think the author wouldn't watch themselves with any longevity or are mostly similar and bot driven. In my opinion, the characters will become more important as this is the greatest leap for AI.

AI must recycle the information its been given and create an environment with characters that are relatable to the culture in the moment. I see mostly memes, superversions and stereotypes. This is where the filmmakers can work, translating in the moment.

I'm actually making the move towards more control of my characters and creating a generic clothing ensemble system with the free version of Audaces Studio for my game and cyberpunk project. I don't plan to go fully AI, I've always enjoyed animating and plan to use a hybrid approach while creating my own characters in 3d as you have done.

Also I've spoken with a JR Horsting on Alignable but lost contact. Are you a relative because he is animation as well.

Jr is my brother. Send me your contact information to visionar@comcast.net and we will exchange contact information.

Nice talking to you Walter. Hopefully we can get JR on board with some good projects.

Thanks, Bob Harper. I'm leaning more towards the cartoon for older kids.

Bob Harper wah. that is terrifying. and cool!

I saw this last fall (at the same fest I saw Robot Dreams) and it’s super creepy. Story had some issues, but overall a recommend for horror and stop motion fans.

I would say some scenes would benefit from Storyboarding more than others. Many times the stop motion segments are dream-like, meant to intercut with the live action characters thoughts. Other times when the live action and animation interact directly I could see storyboards being more important.

I think thats a really cool idea, Maurice Vaughan!

A grilled cheese sandwich that goes on an adventure named "Indiana Sandwich" or "Indiana Cheese," Ashley Renee Smith?

Maurice Vaughan Those were the days!

I haven't seen this, but now I have to! Thanks for the suggestion, OB Nwani!

Ashley Renee Smith you’re welcome!

I have not seen this, but will definitely check it out. Thanks for sharing, OB Nwani !

I've basically lost trust in children's programming, too many lack focus and try way to hard to appeal to older audiences. I use to watch Hanna-Barbera cartoons growing up, sunday morning cartoons are a lost rite of passage for kids these days. Perhaps this show will start the revolution, will have to check it out.

While I respect that many in the biz make a distinction between animation and motion graphics, I haven’t found it useful to divide them. It’s all animation to me!

I’m using the same tools and rules of timing and spacing, making sure actions “read” well, whether they include characters or not.

Glad you're feeling a lot better, Kiara P Oxley. You can find local voice actors in the Browse Members Section (www.stage32.com/people).

Try looking in your local filmmaking groups on Facebook, where a lot of actors often hang out.

In addition, you could post something on Backstage, where a lot of local actors probably look for gigs, too.

Hi Kiara, check out PlayHT for AI voices. I just cast 50+ voices for www.mildmanneredmen.com you can listing to chapter two on the website.

They are having a showing in March in Los Angeles - going to try and make it.

Mike Boas I just clicked the link and the content is no longer available. Do you know where else we can find this?

Brian Smith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxkutAg_Cms

OMG!! Hundreds of Beavers looks brilliant! It looks like they're creating such a fun community around that, too. I can wait to see it.

Look them up on instagram to see their excellent social media posts as well.

For their road show of the picture, the director did a boisterous q&a, very funny. There were several mascot-costume-wearing actors there, who then confronted the lead actor in a wrestling bout. No joke!