Book recommendations for how to get short animations funded?

November 28, 2006 11:07 AM

Does anyone know of a good book for info on getting short animations funded?

I'm not an animator myself, but I'm asking on behalf of a friend, who says, "I can find a few books on getting short films funded, such as: http://www.netribution.org/shop/product_info.php?products_id=28 but I don't know if this covers animation as well..." She's asking for book recommendations, but I'm sure general recommendations would be welcome too.

I have already suggested she also asks on the following forums:
http://www.animated-news.com/forum/
http://www.animwatch.com/forum/
http://forum.deviantart.com/
But I thought there's a good chance folks here may have some more suggestions.

Oh, she's based in the UK, so country-specific advice would of course be great, but that's not essential.

posted by snarfois to media & arts (3 comments total)

Perhaps the Film Festival Survival Guide would have some some specific animation advice on funding.

The Art of Funding Your Film has some alternative ideas. Making an Animated Film has some budget ideas.
posted by mattbucher at 12:05 PM on November 28, 2006

Best advice:

make a demo reel around 2:00-3:30 of your idea, write your CV and a pitch letter, send it to agents specializing in animation features and cartoons and make sure to trademark your characters. Also, put it on the web, get it on the projects page here, send it to youtube or another place and get the word out about it while your waiting for agents to call. Be sure to put your website at the beginning of the video, because they will want to take a look if they are interested.
posted by parmanparman at 1:46 PM on November 28, 2006

you friend has a better chance of getting money to animate after theyve made a film or two and have it screen at snooby film festivals like annecy. The pro to shooting w/ film is it feels more arty but digital is easier, cheaper & becoming more noticed. They have to consider that they will need a lot of free time and it requires a lot of will and brain power, especially having to figure out how to do things on the cheap. Try and focus on making something simple but really interesting. I've been reccomended by professional animators just to have rich parents starting out.
posted by psychobum at 2:47 PM on November 28, 2006