Hey all, hope you are all well and busy writing. I wanted to start getting weekly posts in to encourage more conversations in the animation lounge, and I thought what better way to start then with the question in the title.
For me, I love writing animation for two reasons. Firstly, it appeals to everyone. It's great to be able to help the younger generation with my writing, especially with topics that are important, and to also bring back childhood memories of the older generation. I believe animation has a lot to teach everyone and can be really inspiring and wholesome. It brings joy to everyone who watches and brings out the best in them.
Secondly, there is no limit to my creativity. I found this to be the case when I was writing features but more so now as I work on a few tv shows I came up with. If you haven't tried writing a show, I highly recommend it. The Series Book allows you to really dive deep into your world and characters and really expand your creativity to another level. It's so fun to be able to create an entire world and characters with emotions and feelings that resonate with me.
Now, it's your turn. What do you love about writing animation? I'd love to hear your comments.
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Honestly, I don't really differentiate animation from live action when I write. I write scripts the exact same way for both mediums. The story I'm telling is the story I'm telling regardless of what the final result will look like. That being said, I tend to write more grounded stuff, even when dealing with sci-fi. Something truly whimsical or ridiculous that can only be done in animation isn't something I've tried to write previously.
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Terrence Sellers interesting take. I like your approach to it. I am the same way with my stories, though my aim is to make them animation. My focus is on telling a story that all can relate to. That being said, I'd highly recommend writing something whimsical for animation. It is a lot of fun. Interesting, what are some of the topics you like to write about?
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How's it going, Marvin Younathin? I like writing Animation because it's fun and, like you said, "there is no limit to my creativity." I can write things that would be difficult to write in a live-action script (or too expensive).
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Great question Marvin. Personally I like writing animation because nothing is impossible in animation and the variety of styles are infinite, so I can just let go and create the world I want to create.
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I like how far your imagined can stretch! anything is possible with a creative imagination!
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Maurice Vaughan it's going great. Trying my best to work on my second show, have been a little lazy with it haha. How about you? Yeah, it is super fun to write animation, part of the fun is having no limit to creativity. Interesting point. What are some things you find difficult to write in a live-action script that would be better for animation?
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Kevin Jackson that is the best part of animation to be honest. Yead the styles are infinite and some of the best visuals in the film and tv industry. World building is much easier in animation I definitely agree.
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OB Nwani that is so true. A creative imagination is the key to writing great animation. A lot of my favourite animated films have really creative concepts (while some are more for just visuals and fun haha which is not bad too).
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Marvin Younathin I rarely focus on themes or topics as a general approach to writing. I care much more about the individual stories I'm telling. Some of those stories certainly have themes, but I never walk into a story saying "I want to write about this theme". I always start with the plot I want to tell.
That being said, I have written scripts and novels that deal with things like racism, sexual abuse, bullying, religion, romance, and the list goes on. I've written stories about vampires, cloning, college students falling in love, depressed married couples, Biblical warriors, and many more. I never try to limit myself to any one area of writing.
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Physics don't apply.
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What's your second show about, Marvin Younathin? I'm working on a writing job and pitching projects. I finished some pitch deck jobs these past few weeks.
"What are some things you find difficult to write in a live-action script that would be better for animation?" Sometimes when I write a live-action script, I think of things that would be difficult or look weird in a live-action movie but would be perfect for an Animation movie. And Animation movies are so big, colorful, and spectacular. It's hard to pull that off in a live-action movie, unlike you want the budget to go through the roof.
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Terrence Sellers that's a very interesting approach and I certainly like it. I love the diverse topics you discuss in your scripts. You have quite the range. Two questions. Out of all of those topics/stories which one did you enjoy the most? What has it been like writing about these different topics/stories? I'm the opposite, to be honest, and mostly focus on the theme. However, I am trying to focus more on the plot for the current animated feature film I am working on. It's going to be an animated horror movie.
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Seth Brandon they certainly don't haha. That's part of the fun of writing animation!
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Maurice Vaughan glad you asked. My second show follows the life of a 12-year-old girl named Wendy and the shenanigans she gets up to at school. It will tackle topics such as bullying, self-esteem, and anxiety in a very unique way. The basic premise is that Wendy will be in this wacky world with two characters (with distinct characteristics related to Wendy in some way) and the way she tackles problems and issues in this wacky world.
That is very true. That's how it is with me for some of the things I write. I found this to be the case for the feature I am currently working on. It doesn't work for live-action but is really good for animation. That's exactly why I love animation myself with all the colours and spectacular styles. That would definitely be difficult if done in live-action.
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Marvin Younathin I've enjoyed many of the different topics I've written on, because each one was a new writing experience with different challenges. Also, my writing has improved with each one as I hone my skills through experience. My latest feature is a vampire teen drama and honestly, it's probably my best written feature in terms of writing style. I'd happily show it to a producer as is. When I go back and look at my older features, I can clearly see that they need to be rewritten from a purely presentation level. Yet I wouldn't say the vampire script is my favorite story among my features. That would probably be my post apocalyptic epic about cloning. But I would also say that's probably the script I'd be least likely to show to anyone today without a full rewrite.
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Your show sounds unique, Marvin. I could picture it as I read your comment. "Shenanigans." Uh oh. Haha
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Simply, animation is my reason for living. Growing up in the 60s and 70s, I was glued to the TV every Saturday morning. Unfortunately, I am an animator who cannot draw. Fortunately, I can write. Or so I think I can write.
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The opportunities are limitless. Even as the 50s and 60s tried to calm down the movement animation became an art for all ages. Whether it be traditional, stop motion, CGI or rendered. The effects and presentation can take you anywhere.
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Terrence Sellers apologies for the late reply. That is great to hear. That is definitely true. I am finding that to be the case as I work on different projects myself. Those do sound like interesting projects indeed. For anyone reading and following this post it's great to expand and write about different stories despite them all falling in animation. Got any tips on your experience writing different themes? I'd love to see a lounge post about it as it sounds like you have learnt a lot and have come up with many great ideas.
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Paul I love how enthusiastic you are about animation. I feel the same way too. We each have our own strengths. What have you been working on recently?
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William that is definitely true! The possibilities are endless!