Create Out of Trust, Not Fear

[@samconcklin]

This is so awesome. My final year at college, I got to make an animated film. I had 2 semesters (about 8-9 months) to do whatever I wanted. Unfortunately, I struggled. It took me a long time to realize that I couldn't bring myself to work on my film because I was too afraid. I was afraid of imperfection, I was afraid that others wouldn't like it, and I felt guilty and anxious all the time. I didn't finish my film. However, fast forward: I graduated, got a job, and suddenly had lots of free time. I'm talking peak free time, skills, and tools. And for months, what did I do? Not much. I was chasing popularity on social media, and I was creating out of fear. Then, I learned of a local 48hour film challenge: make a film from scratch in 48 hours. I took the challenge: I buckled down, drawing as efficiently as I could. I had absolutely no time to question myself! Eventually, I created an animation, longer and more complete than any film I had ever created before. That was in September, and it taught me that I really can animate, and well at that! Inktober was next, so I did my best to animate something each and every day. I only made it about half way through, but that's way better than I've ever done before! My secret sauce is that I made art for me: I wanted to have fun making each piece, and if an idea I had stressed me out, then I veered in another direction. It has been invigorating and so incredibly rewarding. Anyway, enough about me. Thank you for sharing your art, stories, and advice with us Stephen, and I look forward to jumping back into Space Boy. :)

[@juliafliess4849]

The fear vs. trust factor is so important to me right now! Thank you for making this video

[@StephenMcCranie]

You're welcome!

[@evll_lln]

Stephen McCranie Stephen I'm such a big fan of your art I love Amy I just started reading your comic recently and I'm enjoying it I wanna become a cartoonist and author for comics now I have a dream to follow thank you for that 😊

[@inkella3720]

Aww that's so nice to hear!! Me as well!! Because of Stephen McCranie I like to create stories ^_^

[@ThunderDraws]

Thanks for this video Sptephen, never though that you just dived into the making of space boy -also, make moar space boy, so that some animation studio has enough content to make an animated adaptation xD-

[@inkella3720]

Oh my God, that would be amazing!!

[@inkella3720]

woah i came back to this video... and yes that would be so cool if an animation studio did pick up space boy one day!

[@hope4snickers697]

the trust is what causes it to be art! or for me at least, if i try to make something others want or something that will get me money i feel like i would be making less, and it wouldnt be as good. if i make out of myself and something i want to make it comes out a lot better

[@littl3nandii]

Actually, you're on Tapastic too!! What a small world! Your comics are amazing! Informing too

[@nilisherilli]

just what I needed right now! thank you so much for your thoughts.

[@IgnacioBlades]

this is ben, i notice it when editing youtube videos, instead of going for the algorithm and doing stuff because you know it works vs just editing on your mind and using your common sense and learning from YOUR mistakes is superior, better, and just more fulfilling.

[@t.m.9713]

I know you haven't uploaded in a while, but in the event you ever see this, I'd just like to thank you for posting up some great tips, awesome support, and just in general being an awesome person. Keep up the good work, and best of luck to your future! (:

Really like what you say about the process, thanks for share you knowledge !!! Really!!

[@StephenMcCranie]

You're welcome!

[@Emanymph]

He is a gift to this world I swear XD

[@VDevilishEgg]

Oh man thank you for this video! A burning question I had was if you often did rough drafts for your comics or stories since they seem so well structured, but when you did so many pages so fast I assumed that would be like doing twice the work, so I was wanting to ask you about that since I hardly EVER do rough drafts and it seems to work well for me. I like the way you put it, drawing from trust. Letting the characters and the story do the talking. It really does seem to bring things to life and you get to see them grow. Thanks again and enjoy your break/head rush! Haha!

[@StephenMcCranie]

Yeah-- to be fair, Space Boy was a story I had been thinking about for years, so I do have a strong sense of where things are going-- but I guess I don't have a strong grip? or something? It's like when you plan and hope for the future, but don't know what it'll look like until you get there.

[@casalazar10]

This is fantastic! I remember having this conversation with you about trusting instinct. Cool stuff. ;)

[@aubreyl6496]

And to this day, we don't know if he still has the vein...

[@littl3nandii]

Gosh dang you're adorable!!!

[@BenVivas]

I'm honestly glad you're gonna keep posting more videos. :) I really love your stuff and am greatly encouraged with your messages.

[@marlenidottv]

whoa thank u so much sir. for sharing.

[@eseullee3176]

yaa i like your youtube videos xD just have fun writing your story~ it's awesome ^_^

[@JordannEdwards]

Oh, my goodness. That was exactly what I had to go through when I was working on my Feature Comic. Thanks to this video, I can remind myself of these three things when I make my next one. :D

[@xcashx1017]

Dude, you are so cool! I love your videos. You should totally upload more some time! ^_^

[@casalazar10]

Congratulations buddy!

[@shellysolomonart]

Wow I had no idea you had a youtube

[@0_madibee_0]

Quick question, what size do you make each comic page?

[@michalelena172]

did anybody else notice the giant vain on his forehead?

[@Zaldermenia]

That vein looks like a Y. Obviously, it means "You rock".

[@Meow-ks3dj]

Hi 👋