After the Fact
So– while all the Random! creators have had a hand in documenting their production, nobody’s talked much about what its like once everything’s finished, especially for a noob like myself. I thought I’d talk a little about what it was like for me following MooBeard.
Both during and following the production of MooBeard, I pitched 4 1/2 more shorts to no avail. The “1/2″ refers to a Frog Raccoon Strawberry pitch which became another concept called January O’Kay after I decided that what I’d written didn’t match what I wanted FRS to be. The most noteworthy of these 4 1/2 is Weird Eddie, which I pitched and revised 8 times in total.
For nearly a year after the MooBeard short was finished, I lived off unemployment, developed lots of concepts, and pitched all over. Some people showed some interest. Some people showed a LOT of interest. Unfortunately, I was trying to have something for every eventuality, so I developed way too many concepts. While I still believe in most of these concepts, trying to be ready to pitch any of them at any given time was a terrible idea. It watered down my pitches as I tried to show passion for the idea while feeling like I had to be ready to whip out the next one. I’ll never again go to a pitch meeting with any more than three concepts on my person. And I’ll know ‘em all like the back of my hand, too– because I’ll LOVE them.
Today, I have a reasonably good job as a concept artist and a side gig drawing Kee-Kee Koki, a Puerto Rican comic strip. I haven’t been out pitching in a while, though I have a new concept that I co-created with Andy Paley (MooBeard’s super-awesome music guy) just about ready to show off. I’ve been working with John Berry, creator of the super-hilarious web cartoon Evil Josh and Billy, on a Weird Eddie short. Through some brain storming sessions, first with Arica Houy and then with John in the process of writing the new short, it’s far more developed now than when I pitched it to Random. It’s going to take us a while as we’re both constantly swamped, but what we have done so far excites me greatly.
And finally, there’s still MooBeard. Like all the creators, I’m still waiting for the sucker to air. As far as the short itself goes, while I’m still generally satisfied with it, there are a lot of things I’d love to go back and do differently. I put together a big fancy MooBeard pitch package for Nick, which only solidified how badly I want to make this show and got me more excited about the possibilities. I haven’t gotten my chance to show it off yet. I really, REALLY believe in this concept and I want so badly to make it happen. I’m dying to entertain and I really think MooBeard has what it takes if Nickelodeon (or someone else?) gives it a chance.
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On June 20th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I wish you luck man… I truly do. I’d like to see more Frederator shorts honestly. I guess we’ll see!
On June 21st, 2007 at 12:00 am
Thanks Mike, and I likewise wish you luck. I too would like to see more Frederator shorts, and speaking not just as a creator, but as a fan, I’d like to see this set aired. I hope we hear about that soon.
On June 20th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Nickelodeon— I’m still waiting for you guys to air the awesomeness that is MooBeard!
On June 21st, 2007 at 12:00 am
Kyle, this is a very honest and helpful post. I think it goes to show that one cannot pitch cartoons for a living. The best projects are created from the heart and not for the sake of trying to sell something. It sounds like Moo Beard is that personal project for you and that’s awesome! Best of luck with your series pitch for that.
I also agree with you that it’s unwise to show more than three ideas at a pitch meeting. More than three ideas and it starts to feel “hacky.” KND creator Tom Warburton further warns that you had better create something personal because if you sell an idea that you don’t really believe in, it will feel like you are chasing someone elses production down the street. Of course, Tom said it less clumsy than that… but, you get the idea.
Rock on with your projects.. and I can’t wait to see Moo Beard.
On June 21st, 2007 at 12:00 am
Thanks, Dave! I really appreciate that. I do want to say that I really do believe in most of what I was pitching, but its awfully hard to express that properly when I’m trying to explain 6 shows in one sitting.
On June 21st, 2007 at 12:00 am
You should make your other series in a comic book/graphic novel format. At least you can keep the rights to it by doing that.
Animation shouldn’t have to be the only way for people to see cartoons.
On June 21st, 2007 at 12:00 am
I’m currently very wary of the world of comics. For one, its not as fun for me and I prefer the collaborative nature of animation. For another, it seems like its near-impossible to succeed in the comics field these days. Doug TenNapel is the exception, not the rule.
On June 21st, 2007 at 12:00 am
HEY KYLE MAN……
YOU’RE ONE HELL OF A TALLENTED CARTOON PERSON WITH A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DRIVE. I ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU ON MOO BEARD AND HAVE A LOT OF FAITH IN YOU KYLE.
I AGREE WITH DAVE LEVY THAT YOU’RE VERY HONEST IN WHAT YOU’VE WRITTEN IN YOUR POST.
I’M WITH YOU A LOT OF POINTS.
THE FINSTERS HAVE BEEN WITH ME SINCE 1982 AND I HAVE BIGGER PLANS FOR THEM.
I’VE WRITTEN THE SECOND AND THIRD EPISODES AND PREPARING FOR SHORT PRODUCTIONS ON BOTH EPISODES.
THE NETWORK WILL DO WHAT IT NEEDS TO IN THEIR TIME.
I’M ALSO PITCHING TO COMEDY CENTRAL AND OTHER NETWORKS WITH OTHER PROPERTIES FROM PRE-SCHOOL TO PRIME-TIME. LET’S ALL KEEP CRANKIN!
HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF AND STAY OPEN WITH EVERYONE.
CONTINUE MAKING CONNECTIONS AND THINGS COME AROUND. FRED IS ONE HELL OF A TERRIFIC PERSON, BRILLIANT VISIONARY AND GREAT BUSINESSMAN. AND A GREAT FRIEND TO HAVE.
THE OPPORTUNITY WE HAD ON RANDOM IS PRICELESS AND WE’LL DO IT AGAIN.
CONTINUE EXCELLENCE WITH DIVERSITY.
TAKE CARE BUDDY AND WE’LL WORK TOGETHER AGAIN SOMEDAY.
I WISH YOU MUCH SUCCESS AND FUN KYLE.
YOUR CARTOON PAL….JEFF
On June 26th, 2007 at 12:00 am
You just had about a crazy adventurous year yourself. I can’t wait to see what else you come up with. =D
On July 3rd, 2007 at 12:00 am
John Berry’s work is incredible. Evil Josh and Billy deserves a series!
On July 5th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Agreed! He’s a funny, funny man!