Good Animators Aren't Cheap, Cheap Animators Aren't Good

Snazzy title don't you think? A couple of my fellow animators came up with this mantra and I think its great. They need to toss that on a shirt or a bumper sticker or something. In my opinion it sums up one of the big problems with this industry; studios wanting top notch quality for bargain basement prices.

The only way to solve this problem is for animators and artists to know their worth and to not settle for less. I have heard several stories of people who were given offers by a studio and they took it straight away without any counter offer. Most times the money offered was less than they wanted or were currently making. But the opportunity, that foot in the door, makes up for it right? Wrong. Studios will always make offers that are in the best interest of the studio, not the artist, optioning for the ol lowball approach first to see if the talent goes for it.

And don't even get me started on outsourcing. I believe the director of Hoodwinked, defending the decision to do the production overseas on an animation forum, said something like "...the movie could not be made in the US for the budget we had..." Well yes I suppose you are right seeing as how US animators like to be paid for their work. You have to spend money to make money. Its true. If you are only willing to spend $10 then your movie will look like it was made for $10. But again studios want the quality, they want product that makes them lots of money, yet they don't want to spend a lot themselves. Funny how that works.

Ant Bully Animation Crew

Have you ever wondered what a bunch of animators might look like? Sure you have. Well wonder no more! Here is a fun picture of the animation crew for The Ant Bully. Unfortuantely a few people were not around the day we took this, so this is about 98% of the animators. What a fine looking bunch of people wouldn't you say. And no I'm not the giant purple puppet in the middle, although I could be if I wanted. I am in the front row aaallll the way to the right.


click for larger version

Giant Ants

The Ant Bully IMAX trailer, which is now showing in IMAX theaters everywhere, is now online. For a film being projected really, really big and in 3D, this online trailer is very, very small. Chances are larger formats of the trailer will be available in coming weeks but if you want to take a peek now, go here.

Ant Bully on Cartoon Network

If you watch a lot of the Cartoon Network you may have seen the first of several Ant Bully shorts. But if you didn't, don't worry dear friend. Through the magic of the internet you can enjoy this little bit of entertainment right on your very own computer. Amazing yet true. Go here to check it out.