Regarding TV cartoon scripts

[faroukba]

I realise that to come barging into a forum and start immediately posting new threads is often viewed with scorn. I can only hope that this introduction goes some way to avoiding any minus points against me.

The upshot is, I am currently pitching a TV cartoon (one of many in an ongoing battle to reintroduce humour and fun for funs sake into kids TV) and was looking to find some like minded people on here. I do write myself but realise my limitations so far as construction and restraint go. Please check out this link to get a hint of the project....

http://fatkatanimation.blogspot.com/

If anyone could point me in the right direction, or ideally dig this sufficiently to want in then i would appreciate it hugely.

I am not soliciting work for free. We do have script writers on staff. I am just looking elsewhere indepently with a view to improving our options. However talk of cash is jumping the gun some what at this stage. I simply need recommendations of avenues to explore.

As a style guide i would suggest similar shows are
-Rocky and bullwinkle
-Roger ramjett
-danger mouse
-dudley doright

these are guidelines and not written in stone by any means

Thanks for your time.

[dpaterso]

Welcome to the forum, no worries with your posting this here, we have a few members interested in animation, hopefully they'll chip in soon. Good luck with your projects.

-Derek

[nielsty]

Hi Faroukba

Welcome to the boards - I'm sure you'll find some like-minded people here.

I think your project looks funny, but which age group are you targeting? I found some pretty difficult words in the script bit you show on your blog if you want to target small children. If you want some critique on it and find collaborators it could be an idea to post parts of the script in the "share your work" screenwriting forum:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=60

The password is "vista".

Hope you'll enjoy your time here - there's a lot of great people hanging around.

[ALLWritety]

The upshot is, I am currently pitching a TV cartoon (one of many in an ongoing battle to reintroduce humour and fun for funs sake into kids TV) and was looking to find some like minded people on here.

If anyone could point me in the right direction, or ideally dig this sufficiently to want in then i would appreciate it hugely.

Thanks for your time.


OK you got suffciently "DUG" to want to know more. What are you wanting form us "dug" bods?

What are you aiming for
Humour , fun or silliness? Or all of the above.

There is a big difference being "Childlike" & "Childish". If you are interacting with kids THEY will very quickly that you are being TOO SILLY. With the cartoons you are not directly interacting but if they think it is too silly they may not watch it. Which may make or break the cartoon in my opinion! However if you are on their level without patronizing them THAT is Great.

I think your ideas are really good and have a lot of scope.

The samples you suggest in your post are short 5 min cartoons is this what you are planning to do? If not what will the length be? BTW Danger Mouse is one of my fav's.

Kev.

[Billingsgate]

I produce, direct and often write animation for a general living. I looked at your site and it's so overwhelmingly "clever" that I honestly can't tell what it is you're producing. A little less of "look how wacky us is!" and a little more organized presentation would help you. I also can't quite tell from your post above what exactly you are asking. Are you looking for script writers? I hope your pitches to broadcasters have more clarity. The background art is gorgeous, by the way.

General rule of thumb for writing animation scripts: carefully determine your target age group within a 3-year bracket (i.e. 4-7 years old), then create characters that are 2 to 3 years older than that age group (all kids want to feel like they're not watching "baby stuff"), with vocabulary and storylines to match.

[odocoileus]

http://animationwriters.blogspot.com/


http://jacksonpublick.livejournal.com/


http://www.actingforanimators.com/Resources/links.html

[faroukba]

Thanks for the replies. I understand what you mean entirely.

As a further explanation as to our situation try this

For my part i come up with the imaginative aspects and leave the sales to our sales fellows. i understand that it isn't clear at all as to what is what in the blog post I linked to (hence my mentions or cartoons of a similar ilk for a better understanding). The fact is we didn't intend that to be it's purpose rather it is a look at the art we have made... not at all 'look how wacky we are'.. that would really be an unfortunate impression to leave... in my opinion. Simply, it has been under wraps for so long and these few pictures are the first airing of anything we have since the concept has reached a more solid form.

So far as the advice on the content targeting specific demographics I also understand and appreciate your pointers. That said it is our intension to reach for something along the lines of fun for funs sake. No moral messages, no setting it in a school 'beacuse children go to school and will therefore identify with that'. We plan to whole heartedly go at something that is not dictated by the slots available or that fits the mould of something comptemporary. I know full well the difficulty of having a show commisioned what with the costs being ever whittled away and as a consequence the quality becoming less in both scripts and artwork. That said I of course realise a certain compromise is inevitable. However it is easier to sell a show that is already finished than throw out a premise and expect the largely unimaginative execs to fill in the blanks. {takes a breath} This approach we are attempting I am aware aware is not the way others and for that matter we use when pitching, it is a 'build it and they will come' scenario.
I would like to avoid any debate on hows, whys or 'what are you thinking?' as I hope the above makes the position clear in that respect. If it fails then we know we were wrong and we shall regroup outside the castle grounds and plan the next attack.

Bottom line being we aim to create something funny with good art and innovative animation... if you see the trade mags etc from the animation world these days (3D charmless gubbins and general clones of last weeks hit) you will realise how big of a hill there is to climb. We believe we have the resources for the art to also take on the writing is beyond us from the point of view of constraints on my time and my writing limitations.

Bit of a mouthful... hope that clarifies things a little

[Billingsgate]

Thanks for the reply. I repeat my question:

I still can't quite tell from either of your posts what exactly you are asking for. Are you looking for script writers? Yes or no?

Are you wishing to commission scripts, take on writers as part of the team, or what?

Also, a word of advice: when you go to pitch your show to anyone in the industry with money (producers, broadcasters, distributors), the very first question they will ask you, before you have even gotten three words in, will be:

"What's the demographic?"

If your answer is "Well, er...everybody," then you will hear a foghorn sound effect and see a thought bubble flashing above the other person's head which says "Newb!"

That's just the business. And it has nothing to do with the sales people. It has to do with the heart of the show, its intended audience, its story lines and character designs and the range of vocabulary they speak. It's not about injecting contrived moral messages or settings. It's entirely driven by demographics because that's what advertisers care about: which little brats are they selling their dangerous lead-tainted Chinese-made toys to during the commercial breaks? You can find many exceptions to the rule of age-driven demographics, but just about all of those were created by long-term industry veterans with a long history of success, and thus they sold on the basis of their names and personal track records rather than the market demographic.

You can sink lots of money into a clever and gorgeous show. But unless you can confidently answer that question - What's the demographic? - during your 3-minute pitch to a jaded network program buyer at MIPCOM or NATPE or Banff or any of the other TV trade fairs, you will have a hard time being heard.

[faroukba]

yep, I aim to build a relationship with like minded individuals who write scripts. I am asking that they contact me via private messaging.
Any other advice is obviously welcome

Billingsgate wrote- You can sink lots of money into a clever and gorgeous show. But unless you can confidently answer that question - What's the demographic? - during your 3-minute pitch to a jaded network program buyer at MIPCOM or NATPE or Banff or any of the other TV trade fairs, you will have a hard time being heard.

Yes i hear you loud and clear my friend. It is a neccesary evil, yes jaded execs, yes demographics... yes yes yes I am far from new to this world of pain believe me. i do find it very distasteful and would more likely punch a lawyer turned childrens televison commisioner in the throat that answer their 'what's the angle' questions, that is why we have other people to swap nonsense with them... as to it being nonsense, that is just my opinion of course. As i said i wish to avoid debates as to how this isn't the right way to go about things.I have had that for the last two years. So far as right now i am looking to develop some rapport with script writers with a view to making a 7 minute pilot show.

The shows iin a similar vein are- Rocky and Bullwinkle, Roger Ramjet, Dangermouse.

Cheers again

[faroukba]

Hello again, just a note to say i am nearly finished on a two minute animated teaser of the show I am working towards pitching. I will post a link when it is ready. It should give a better idea of the direction I am after.

Thanks for the replies and the private messages I have had and i apologise for the length of time it is taking.

Thanks