Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1276583
FALL 2020 11 F R A M E X F R A M E liked as a kid—and go from there." While Smith's aim is to entertain and amuse kids and avoid any heavy-handed lessons, the first book in the series does have an underlying message, a reminder that you don't have to do everything by yourself, you can rely on the people around you for help. His wife is an elementary school teacher, so he often uses her as a sounding board to bounce jokes off and to get her opinion on whether kids would find something funny. "I wrote an outline first and did some character design sketches and rough, thumbnail drawings—and from there, kind of fleshed out the whole book." He found the process very similar to storyboarding except, "there wasn't a huge bureaucracy that I had to go through. It's basically just you and an editor working together. You have a lot more creative control over it." Smith says the project has given him a creative outlet outside of work where he can express a more authentic version of his voice. Smith advises creators to hold on to their original tone and voice. He recalls how early on in his career he thought he had to draw in a certain style in order fit into the industry. "Sometimes that can make you lose your authenticity," he says, adding: "Even if you learn a new way to draw, try to hold on to that original tone and the voice before you were in the industry." — Karen Briner Dolphin Girl 1: Trouble in Pizza Paradise is available in September and the second book in the series will be released next year. above: A love of fast food inspired Smith's new middle grade graphic novel, which he finished during quarantine.