Working with a team. A good idea?

rexfurry · Post by **rexfurry** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 12:16 am

Hello, I didn't know exactly where to post this so I posted it here, I hope that's alright. Anyway, I'm working on an anime/cartoon-ish series called, Heros shadow. I'm mostly using AS 6 pro to create it. I've just finished up episode 1 about 1-2 months ago. It took me about 5-6 months to get it all together (and I'm still not done yet though because I've just now got all my voice actors together) I also made the mistake of starting work on the series during the school year which made the episode take even longer to create. Anyway, now that it's summer time and summer break is finally here (actually it's been here for about a month now) I've started work on episode 2. But even though I'm out of school for awhile and have a lot more time on my hands, it's till taking a long time to get episode 2 up and going. And I really wanted to have a couple episodes done, and published this summer but seeing as how long this is taking I'm not sure that's going to be possible

So I thought to myself "What if I got a team together to help me animate this thing (because the animating and creation of stuff is what's taking the longest)" But then it occurred to me that I've never worked on a team before, I've always just kind been a, well, loner (for lack of a better word) with my work. And so I'm not used to working with anyone at all, and I'm worried that the series might not turn out how I wanted it too if I formed a team. Also, I have a bit of a hard time turning people down or even worse, firing them! And I know that if I were to form a team it would be hard to get the right people and that kind of stuff. I'm also wondering how a team for this sort of thing would work, because I obviously. can't meet up with anyone in person, so that would mean it would all be done online. How would that work, would the files be sent once completed or something? Also, how would I assign the different scenes to people for them to create? I'm sorry if all this sounds boring and dumb, but I've never been in a "team" situation before, and I've especially never had to create one! So, if anyone can please fill me in on how this all works and answer some if now all of my questions that would be so much help.

Diana Kennedy · Post by **Diana Kennedy** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 6:44 am

If your work is to be published on a professional base (TV for example) and therefore you have fix deadlines, then a team will make sense - most pro-productions, if not all, are done by a team.

If there's no third party's deadline involved, then you can still consider to get help, but have to evaluate pro and contras more carefully.

I know that making a movie takes a hell of a long time My Bête des Vosges Film which is only 24 Min in length, took me more than 2 years to create. Of course, I also played with the thought of looking for co-animators for my actual new projects. But I didn't until yet.

First of all, be aware of the fact that a co-animator will do it either for money or because he/she really likes your script and story. The latter is pretty hard to find, because "liking" means liking your stuff up to a level to spend a lot time and work for it.
Most animators have their own ideas and projects. Especially if you want them to do exactly what you want and will not allow their ideas, you will probably have to find people who you will pay. Can you afford that? Will the outcome result be worth the investment? These are all questions that you need to consider.

The other way is just to accept the fact that the movie WILL take this much time and do it by your own.
You will neither waste time on explaining what you want nor spend money and you keep total control over your work. Just adjust your deadline on a realistic view and try to find a workflow that will save you most time possible. I made the experience that one becomes quicker, just because of the routine of the tasks.

rexfurry · Post by **rexfurry** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 11:56 pm

Hmm, I think I get it a bit more clearly now. I am still curious about some of the other questions though, such as how work would be assigned (basically how I would give people scenes to create and such) As well as how to transfer everything. Would I just be transferring a whole bunch of files back and fourth?