Independent Animation

Since finishing his MA in 2008, Ben Mitchell has worked as an animation freelancer with Channel 4, BBC, A Productions, Plymptoons, Rumpus Animation, Slurpy Studios, Happy Hour Productions, Somethin' Else, Jelly Penguin, Channel Flip, and others. As an independent filmmaker he has directed several shorts that have been officially selected for over 100 major film and animation festivals between them and been broadcast internationally. He is also a writer, researcher, and Managing Director of Skwigly Online Animation Magazine, where he has conducted interviews with some of the animation industry's leading practitioners and produced editorial features, events coverage, film/product reviews, project management, video content and the Skwigly Animation Podcast.

With the advent of advanced hand-held technology and the widespread nature of the internet, the world of animated filmmaking is more exciting and accessible than ever. Due to this cultural and technological development, the success of independent animated film makers is on the rise. Independent Animation showcases some of the greatest, most innovated giants in the field and helps guide readers through the artistic process and production techniques. Story development, casting, color, distribution, and the intimidating aspects of production are elucidated using various examples from all over the world. Readers will also explore the changing nature of the audiences' relationship with animation, granting firsthand guidance in navigating the diverse fields of animated film-making.

Key Features

• Covers the entire process of creating an independent animated film, from story development and casting to editing and distribution
• Features input from some of the industry's most noteworthy animation talents and exclusive insight into their working processes
• Additional resources and interviews available through a special section of Skwigly Online Animation Magazine

With the advent of advanced hand-held technology and the widespread nature of the internet, the world of animated filmmaking is more exciting and accessible than ever. Due to this cultural and technological development, the success of independent animated film makers is on the rise. Independent Animation showcases some of the greatest, most innovated giants in the field and helps guide readers through the artistic process and production techniques. Story development, casting, color, distribution, and the intimidating aspects of production are elucidated using various examples from all over the world. Readers will also explore the changing nature of the audiences' relationship with animation, granting firsthand guidance in navigating the diverse fields of animated film-making

1. Introduction

2. Story Development

3. The Visual Storyteller

4. Consider the Source

5. The Beat of a Different Drum

6. Going Webisodic

7. The Animated Documentarian

8. Going Long

9. Funding

10. Keeping It Real

11. Getting Comfortable

12. Casting and Performance

13. Thinking Outside the Light Box

14. Keeping Up

15. Combining Your Efforts

16. Your Film in Depth: Considering Stereoscopy

17. Audience Interaction

18. Reinventing the Wheel

19. Perseverance

20. Your Two Most Important Characters

21. Putting Yourself Out There

22. Distribution: A Brave New World