Comments on: Making it on your own?

By: Stephen Levinson

Stephen Levinson — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Yea that video makes me laugh too!

By: Miles

Miles — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

oh dear make him shut it so i can stop laughing already - you should see my belt F, it’s be immediate belt envy for sure - thanks for the hilarious vid link…whew man

By: Fred Seibert

Fred Seibert — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Actually, Bill made most of his early stuff completely alone. Sometimes he borught in some interns, but for years it was just him.

By: Mike Milo

Mike Milo — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Wow! That’s incredible. I have another hero!

By: Mike Milo

Mike Milo — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

While I almost always agree with you Fred, I have to disagree with this one. I think artists don’t do their own films due to dependence on time and money, lack of either, or both. Just trying to ‘get by’ as an artist in animation these days is a job in of itself unless you have deep pockets. The term ’starving artist’ comes to mind. Most artists are required to take a storyboard test now to get on a new show regardless of experience, that’s a lot of time lost that could have been spent working on a personal film. Most artists have to shlepp portfolios around town over and over again trying to keep a constant flow of money coming in. More time wasted. Then add in politics, cutbacks, costs of supplies and soon you find that most artists simply spin their paddles just trying to stay afloat. Then, some have families and obligations and life gets in the way. Most of the people who make personal films I have seen are either (A.)unmarried (B.)Right out of school (C.)have govt. funding. (as in Film Board of Canada)or (D.) the film itself was a student film or a pilot…I for one would LOVE the time to do my own film as I have mountains of ideas, but there is always something in life that prevents me from doing so and at least for me, it’s definitely not because I am dependent on a studio (or if I am it’s because they pay my salary and not because I need them to help me physically make it). I think that’s why I believe the opportunites that you have given so many artists over the last 15 years is so special. It has given a voice to the dozens of struggling film-makers out there lacking in one or all of the requirements needed to do so today. In my opinion, funding a film is essential to it’s success and without it only a very select few are able to get past life’s obligations. Sure some people can do it, but it’s just not that easy to do. I wish that the US Govt. would do what Canada and France do and give grants for animated films. I’d stand in line for that! Not just ones that talk about AIDS or Cancer or hunger but just good ol’ comedy. After all, in today’s world we could all use a good laugh. But then if our Govt. did that we’d have to cut some funding for war… Hmmm.

By: Fred Seibert

Fred Seibert — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Mike! You’re a guy who *does* his own films, one of the few. The issue (at least for me) is not who pays for it (you, the studio, the government, whatever) but whether you’re making a film *you* want to make. Last week on a panel in Burbank I suggested that people write their own features and you would’ve thought I’d called for mass public suicide. Truth is, making pictures is the lifeblood of creativity. And now, the means are within the hand of filmmakers to do it with minimal interference. Keep up your perosnal work, it’s the best way for you. (More Flavios!)

By: Mike Milo

Mike Milo — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

I see your point. I guess I misread the angle of the article. (I also just reread Amid’s article and a guy named Blair Kitchen just spoke out against exactly what I was commenting on and that if you won’t invest in your own ideas, why should a studio?)As for making your own feature film… I think the only guy that’s EVER done that is Phil Nibbelink. With the advances in Flash though, and computers as a whole I think it very possible that others will follow suit. Oh and don’t you worry, the minute I hear there are more seasons of Random Cartoons I will be there with the scads of ideas running through my head!

By: Jun

Jun — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Also Bill Plympton…re: making their own feature film.

By: Mike Milo

Mike Milo — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

No I don’t think Bill Plympton is the same. Phil did it entirely alone. Doesn’t Bill have a staff?