All images are from Producing Independent 2D Character Animation: Making and Selling a Short Film, by Mark Simon. Reprinted with permission.

This is the 11th in a series of 12 excerpts from Mark Simon’s book, Producing Independent 2D Character Animation: Making and Selling a Short Film. This book is a full-color, concept-to-pitch guide that teaches animators, students and small studios the art and business of producing short, cel animated films. Animation producer Mark Simon has detailed the process in an accessible how-to manner using his award-winning series, Timmy’s Lessons in Nature, as a guide. This 432-page book contains more than 600 full-color images, interviews and a CD-ROM containing sample animation, animatics and sample software described in the text.

Animation is a bit different than other forms of television when it comes to pitching and selling a show. Since animation is so visual, it has to be sold with visuals. Many live-action shows, on the other hand, are sold with only a verbal pitch or a script.

Networks and studios are buying into the creators as much as they are the show concepts. It takes a long time and a lot of effort to produce a series, so the more energy and confidence you have during a pitch, the better. They need to feel confident that you will be able to do what it takes to make your show a success.

An animated short may be used to pitch a television series. Hit shows such as The Simpsons, Powerpuff Girls, and others started as shorts. In fact, before committing to a series the Cartoon Network often produces 7-minute shorts for shows they are interested in testing.

Matt Stone and Trey Parker speaking at NATPE 1999. Their early morning discussion covered their production process, thoughts about the show and examples of their early work. Photo courtesy of NATPE.

Matt Stone and Trey Parker produced the first South Park as a video Christmas card for a studio executive. It led to their deal with Comedy Central.

Full animation is not always needed. Often, presentations include only sketches of the characters in action — whatever it takes to present the look and convey the concept of the show. Pitches include everything between sketches and full animation. Linda Simensky, director of children’s programming for PBS says, “I like to see lots of drawings. I like to see drawings of characters doing all sorts of things, because the humor should be right there.”

Timmy’s Lessons in Nature, a series of animated shorts, was used as a pitch for a half-hour series called The Troop. The shorts introduce our lead character Timmy and demonstrate the look of the show. A one-sheet and presentation package introduces the rest of the cast and explains the concept of the show. When we pitched the half-hour series, we showed the shorts and then verbally explained the half-hour version using sketches to introduce the supporting cast.