I am an animation production professional and I have worked in production management for Walt Disney Feature Animation, Sony Animation, Universal, and on the Avatar Sequels. I also had a more creative role as the research supervisor for DreamWorks Animation for several years. I am also a screenplay reader, and I've worked at places like Walden Media and Scott Free Films as a reader. And I currently read for Stage 32, so if you've asked for our coverage services, there's a good chance I've read your script! I also have my own coverage service where I offer the type of industry-standard coverage I provided for the executives at Walden and Scott Free.
I also have written some blogs as a Thought Leader for Stage 32 about the animation industry, and I've taught a couple of classes on story structure and screenwriting, as well as how the Hayes Code actually benefited genres like Film Noir. This is an inspiring community to be a part of, and I have loved watching it grow, and RB and Amanda deserve a ton of credit for building this empire.
I also have some blogs on my website about movies, screenwriting, and some of my favorite movie quotes. I also did a series on all of the Best Picture winners and a series on all of the James Bond films. You can check it all out here.
Happy Creating!
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Congrats on a terrific career thus far Brian Smith. What project are you most excited about working on next?
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Thanks a lot, Nick Waters ! It's been eclectic if nothing else. One thing that I didn't mention was that I self-published a novel a couple of years ago. I recently finished a follow-up and I'm currently figuring out the third story of the trilogy. I'm also toying with the idea of turning my Oscar blogs into a book. I am mainly looking inward now to see if I can't get my own creative projects off the ground since I've spent more than two decades helping make other people rich. ;-)
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Hey, Brian Smith. Hope you're doing great. I'm curious. Are the Animation studios you've worked at lively and playful? Like the atmosphere. I'm thinking they would be since you all are making Animation.
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Hi Maurice Vaughan that's an interesting question. I felt like DreamWorks was like that for sure. Disney also had its moments as well. But at the end of the day, we still have a job to do and these movies don't animate themselves. I think there is generally a good mix of fun and playfulness to go along with a high level of professionalism.
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Brian Smith, always great reading your commentaries and experience in the field! I'm always keeping track of your endeavors and projects! Wishing you continued, what you've already accomplished, "The best"!
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Brian Smith greetings Brian. It’s great to see you on the IYW. What projects are you working on at the moment?
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Hi there...Mmmmm - animation? have a script that I've been told should be animated..Set in Australia, a coming of age story for preteens...interested in your rates etc.Maybe PM me?
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That makes sense, Brian Smith. If the atmosphere is too lively and playful, it might be hard to focus. I looked up DreamWorks' upcoming projects. I'm looking forward to "Megamind’s Guide To Defending Your City" and "Mice & Mystics."
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Kate Merywyn Hawkes I just sent you a request to connect. Once you accept it, I can DM you.
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Geoff Hall I am currently between projects, and am keeping my eyes peeled for the next one. How about you?
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Eon C. Rambally thank you so much! Right back at you!
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I have a question about animation scripts. How do they differ from live-action scripts.?
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Nice to meet you virtually Brian. Hope to connect!
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Susan Arscott there really isn't much of a difference between animated scripts and live-action. They use the same format, and there really isn't anything you would do differently in an animated script than in a live-action script.
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Effie Trihas I see you're from Tampa. I lived there for 5-ish years in the early 90s and went to UT.
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Brian Smith, thanks for the comments, you're welcome! Certainly involves a lot of concentration and dedication!