So You Want to Be a Cartoonist |
I believe that anyone can become a successful cartoonist or animator. All
it takes is ambition and hard work. Here is my list of recommendations to
help you become an animator. 1. OBSERVE AND COPY As a kid, I was always copying and redrawing my
favorite cartoon characters - Daffy Duck, Goofy, Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse.
As I drew these characters, I would discover better ways to draw them, little
short cuts - eventually I created my own characters. 2. ALWAYS CARRY A SKETCH BOOK AND PENCIL Ideas are the most valuable
asset in my business. They were the hardest part of creating my films when
I was in high school. I began to carry a notebook and pencil with me, and
if a funny or interesting idea came to me, I would write it down. Now, of
course, I have a large film of funny ideas that I draw upon when I need a
humorous gag or an idea for a short. Unfortunately, I now have more gag ideas
than I have time to animate. 3. BOOKS As for books I recommend, I believe the number one bible
of all animation books is Preston Blair's "Animation", published by Walter
Foster. Also check out Leonard Maltin's "Of Mice and Magic", published by
Plume. 4. ARTISTS As for artists I recommend - first, Tex Avery for his humor.
Walt Disney for his imagination, story and business sense. Bob Clampett for
his style and energy - especially the early Warner's stuff with Rob Scribner
as animator. Winsor McCay (print and animation) for pure draughtmanship and
imagination. Saul Steinberg for visual wit. Roland Topor for grotesque humor.
And A.B. Frost for draughtmanship and style. Of course, there are many other
artists who have influenced me, but you must find your own artists to emulate
and slowly your style will evolve to become your own. 5. FILM SCHOOLS There are many good film schools now with wonderful
animation programs. Here are some of my recommendations: 1. Cal Arts in L.A.,
2. New York University, 3. School of Visual Arts in New York City, 4. Sheridan
in Canada, 5. Rhode Island School of Design, 6. Savannah College of Art and
Design, 7. Rochester Institute of Technology 6. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Opportunities now are very excellent for animators.
There are now many animation studios actively recruiting animation. The tops
are Disney, Dreamworks, Warner Brothers, Fox Studios and Pixar. In New York
there's MTV Studios, Jumbo Pictures and Nickelodeon Studios. 7. ASIFA One last resource that I recommend is ASIFA, the International
Society of Animation, and there is a chapter for each part of the country.
L.A., S.F., the Northwest, the Midwest, the Northeast (New York) and Washington,
as well as an international chapter. Check out ASIFA
International. So, I hope you will all run out and make fantastic funny films that put me
out of business.
At an early age, I was fascinated by sharks, so I created a character named
Sammy Shark. I put him in numerous poses and situations. I even imagined him
starring in his own film. But it was copying the creative process of Walt
Disney and Warner Brothers that gave me the early training that influenced
my style today. And that leads to the next recommendation...
Another good thing about a sketch pad is the ability to draw constantly. If
I see an interesting face or if I'm bored on a bus, I pull out the pad and
start sketching. And again, I have files of old sketches that are amusing
to look at and even spark ideas for future characters.
Sketching in front of the television is also a great training exercise. Because
the characters of a film or sitcom are constantly moving, it's important to
capture the personality of the subject in just a few sketchy lines, and it
trains your brain to discover the essence of a human in a split second.
If you want to study computer animation, I would guess Ringling Art School
in Florida has a good program.
I myself have never worked with a studio, or even went to animation school,
but I recommend that any young animator out of film school do 3 or 4 years
at a big studio to learn styles and technique, make valuable contacts in the
business and build up a reel. I heartily recommend the life of an independent.
I believe if you can make funny films quickly at about $1,000 per minute,
you will become successful.
Last Updated September 2000 Email: plymptoons@aol.com |