If you don’t already know him, I wanted to introduce you to MDotStrange.  I think this dude holds the record for making the most animated movies all by himself.  He has created 3 animated feature length films.  He set a bar if you ask me on what can be done.

So often I have spent my time in areas where there are tons of artists.  These tons of artists have wonderful skills and abilities but they waste it working for the man.  Instead of creating their own way they exchange their life for a buck.    I mean if you like animating for someone else that is great.    But I’ve seen so many artists desire to make their own stuff but think it is impossible, that is it too hard and it takes too long.   So they don’t attempt to create their own original stuff.  It really is sad considering how many stories are waiting to be told and never will be.

Here is the truth.

1) It is not impossible.

2) It is not hard especially if you can draw or do animation (digging ditches and working construction is hard work, not sitting in the AC creating)

3) Too long?  In 10 years MDotStrange created 3 full length films.  Now imagine if you use premade assets and things like mocap and use various short cut methods that build results, then the truth is it doesn’t take 10 years to make a movie.

Here are some of his works.

We Are the Strange

Heart String Marionette

I cannot express enough how creative I think the folks over at Cartoon Network can be.  There is this whole generation of awesome cartoons that are whimsical, silly, fun and strange.

In the past few years we have had Adventure Time, Steven Universe, The Regular Show, World of Gumball, etc.    At first many of these shows I looked at and thought they were stupid but then just like an onion they go deeper and deeper.  The world building is insanely good and it just keeps getting better.

Recently I ran across this beauty that was just released and yes it is beautiful.

The point of all this is when making your own anime.  Please be creative, think outside the box and make something fresh, fun and crazy.  Don’t be afraid to take it there.

 

 

I came across this beautiful tribute awhile back.   I loved the style and loved all the little details.  This tribute to Hayao Miyazaki is awesome.

And now here is the breakdown.  The guy actually uses free software to make most of this.

Its a lot of work but beautiful!

I loved watching this tutorial.  It was pretty neat seeing how things are done in the making of this show.

Again the same techniques can be used for creating your own anime.    You could go about making an anime puppet in 2d similiar to what they do here.  Remember story is important.  I hope you enjoy this little workflow video.

I saw this on CGBros Youtube page.  I always love to watch breakdowns of the anime process.    This one is a little violent for my taste but has a lot of good technical information.

I’ll just add another one.

I thought I’d share this with you all.

He talks alot about talking Japanese.   Meh….

He does have some good advice though.   He says start a Manga first.  Well that is the game plan for myself.

I’m actually working on several Manga’s and/or Webtoons.   I will be posting some work here including videos.  And since it is about how to make anime even if you are not the greatest artist this should help all of you out.   Recently I just got a great pipeline going for manga and anime.    If you want tutorials it will be under my category called “Anime Class!”

Now take some of this video as advice but some of it falls under goofy parody like advice and not really being 100% serious.

I hate the last part of the video but there are again some gems, especially the part about making a manga.

Making a Manga is easier than a full anime but as you create your manga you can start gaining fans and then Kickstart a full animation.    That is just one route.

 

 

 

 

 

I wanted to share some of my favorite covers to some great anime theme songs.

So why am I sharing this?  Well if you are going to make your own anime you do not want to forget MUSIC!  Music is important to any anime.  It builds the moment and builds the crescendo.    You know the hero is about to win and things are going to get excited when it happens and it connects people to your story in ways you cannot even fathom.  But how excited do you get when you hear this?

Yes music is powerful.  You want people to connect to your music.   One great thing is there are tons of musicians who love anime and would work with you on creating an awesome track!  This can be one of the most important parts of your story.   So think long and hard about creating an awesome theme with an awesome singer/songwriter.    Today it is all but possible!