Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1257506
D E PA R T M E N T 29 KEYFRAME Images courtesy of Cartoon Network, Disney Animation Studio and DreamWorks Animation. SINCE THE 1930S SHORT FILMS HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED AND CELEBRATED AS AN ARTFORM. NOW STUDIOS ARE SUPPORTING THE MEDIUM TO FOSTER NEW TALENT AND EXPERIMENT WITH TECHNOLOGY. By Jay A. Fernandez Many studios have reinvigorated their shorts programs in recent years. And for good reason. Beyond offering a relatively low-cost laboratory to experiment with new techniques, they invite discovery of diverse artistic voices and foster talent by giving promising filmmakers a chance to tell new kinds of stories in new ways. These days, artists and writers are finding increasing opportunities to produce original concepts in short format at studios such as Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures Animation, and Nickelodeon. Whether launching a new shorts program, redesigning an outmoded program, or redirecting resources to boost an existing program, studios are seeing great symbiotic benefits in the investments. Among other things, the fresh infusion of ideas is helping them navigate the Wild West nature of the current digital landscape. "Artists and creators do have more freedom, but we aren't sure what the viewers are going to want, so the studios are all willing to try new things," says Paula Spence (Close Enough, Flapjack), Art Director for Cartoon Network's shorts program and Recording Secretary for The Animation Guild. "We are opening our minds, and we're having to think differently to compete with everybody else." SUMMER 2020 29