Everyone making a film now seems to be looking for ways to subsidize their production through government tax credits, grants or pure subsidies. Now, even if you are not a producer or investor, you might have wondered how all of these seemingly complex deals get put together where a company in Ireland does the post, a Canadian company does the pre-production and the animation goes to China. 

Some of you may have worked on a show where you only did the sheets or the storyboard and everything else was split up and done elsewhere.   What drives these deals and can cause a very awkward division of creative input and production services?  Why of course it’s money, and most often the access to soft money.

So what exactly is soft money?  Does it bend easier than hard money and by the way, what is hard money?  Does soft money fit better in your wallet or what?

Part 1 - How does this all work and who gets to participate?

Can China, India, Singapore and other countries offering cheaper animation services lure U.S. producers away by offering subsidies, grants and equity investment in theatrical films and television series?  It seems that outsourcing, while resented by most Americans, has become more and more a way of doing business for large American corportations.  Where will this practice ultimately end?  I can't say for sure but I do know it will get worse before it can get better.  But there is hope.  If you want to read my opinion you'll have to wait until I wrap this up next week.

I never met anyone in this business that didn't have some strong opinions on what constituted a greatshow.  Whether it hinged on the quality of animation, longevity, financial success or number of sequals or spin-offs, most of us can, off the top of their head name a  number of titles we think of as the best.  

I thought it might be fun to share my favorites in a group of catagories that I've come up with... feel free to take a look and to disagree as much as you ilke, as long as you're cordially in doing so..

You say Toe-maw-toe and I say Toe-may-toe.  Should you cast kids for kids roles or go with adult voice over actors that can be easier and faster to work with but may not be able to give you that pure kid essence in voice quality?

IF YOU CAN'T GET IN THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR GO AROUND THE BACK.  IF THAT DOOR'S CLOSED AND BOLTED THEN TRY A WINDOW.  IF THAT WINDOW'S LOCKED TIGHT THAN CLIMB UP ON THE ROOF AND TRY TO SLIDE DOWN THE CHIMNEY!  TO MUDDLE A QUOTE, "FORTUNE FAVORS THE PERSISTANT".  SOO MI KIM AND HER PRODUCING PARTNERS DECIDED TO NOT EVEN TRY TO BREAK INTO THE HOUSE - THEY JUST PICKED UP A MEDIA PHONE AND MADE A CALL...

It's clearly a love/hate thing for a lot of us.  It has become so much a part of our lives that we have a hard time looking away.  Television, we can't do without it but couldn't we expect more for this member of our family that is always there. always tempting us to sit down and let it entertyain us?

Yes I know - How phony is it to brag that you’ve never seen The Kardasians or Wife Swap or The Biggest Loser or the Bachelorette?  No one believes you of course.  I mean really, who can resist these little escapes into non-reality reality?  We all seem to be entranced by them, as there is a show for everyone; bikers, fashion designers, bounty hunters, regular hunters, treasure hunters, car lovers, dog lovers, beauty contest contenders, hoarders, miners, oil drillers, brides and just ordinary people like the rest of us.  

After looking at how Europe, Asia and the rest of the world offer subsidies to support their animation industries we turn our gaze on the good old USofA.  How do we stack up against our neighbors to the north or our cousins across the pond? Actually not very good.  Neartly all of our programs are though various states and their offerings are geared for live action - not animation.  Oh well, you could move to Australia or France, or....?

What considerations should you consider when casting and selecting voice talent for your project?

Creating Intellectual Properties is like being a parent. In many ways it's better to have more than one child to dote on.  If you become over invested emotionally your heart and your ego take over, not your brain.