The Animated Pilot Script

Ep 10. Guidelines for writing the first episode or the first sample of an animated series project or proposal, which is known as the "pilot script."
Genres of pilot scripts covered include pre-school educational, 6-11 yrs old comedies, boys action/scifi/toy-driven, and prime-time comedies.
Plus YAY I hit 1000 subs and also I'll be in Canada the rest of this week at the Ottawa International Animation Festival (Sept. 26th-30th). Come see if you can on Sept. 27th @ 2:45pm for the finale of the 'Pitch THIS' event where I'll be the host!
Me:
LinkedIN: / eric-calderon-2162b9
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[@kesselsol]

This channel is going to blow up once it enters the youtube algorithm. This channel hits the mark on teaching advanced topics about the animation industry.

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Thank you I hope so! :)

[@novalee6039]

If you're very busy, content starts at 1:32

[@kobecoleman6757]

I'm typing a animated TV series script and I think I understand what I have to do.

[@MaSTARMedia]

Grats on 1k subs! Onward to 10k

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Thanks Brotha!

[@keeganjulian2360]

you all probably dont give a shit but does anybody know of a method to log back into an Instagram account..? I somehow forgot my password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me

[@krewpeter1436]

@Keegan Julian Instablaster ;)

[@mystikittii]

Turns out that stuff that we did in school, breaking down story lines in books and writing down the characters plot and stuff actually paid off! XD

[@SurvivingAnimation]

That's so great to hear!

[@macuna1995]

This was really, really helpful, thank you, you are amazing. I'm trying to write a Prime Time Comedy right now and have some ideas for an Action/Sci-fi I would like to start working on later on.

[@Ramekink]

Boss, yours is one of the greatest channels out there. Rest assured cos things are only gonna get better and better with time. Best regards!

[@DennisTamayo]

I could always write scripts for my future projects next year in Los Angeles.

[@MassielValenzuela]

Thanks so much for this great content!

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Thank you for watching!

[@Theystolemyhandle]

Yes! I needed this. Thank you.

[@georgeegermayer6528]

superb info!

[@rebelfleettrooper9881]

I'm pitching a kids cartoon to Nelvana and I have a good pitch bible too. I juat have to some more to it and it's done. I also have a pilot script I banged out too, though writing the pilot episode exactly as I imagined it was my biggest challenge.

[@afrosheep1]

Thank you so much for your great content! Fantastic channel!

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Thank you! I'm hoping to get up at least one more video before end-of-year!

[@afrosheep1]

@@SurvivingAnimation Brilliant! I will keep a lookout :)

[@AtomicHaven]

I disagree, I think as long as the target audience is older than say 5-6 (old enough to get the basics elements of a story.) The main focus shouldn’t only be comedy, it should be mainly telling a good story with interesting characters. With comedy as an optional element.

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Hey there and thanks for watching the channel and thank you for your comment. My question to you is, do you think this is true for purely comedic shows like Spongebob Squarepants or The Amazing World of Gumball? I believe both of those shows have extremely interesting characters. But I would also say their 100% focus is comedy. So although they actually do have 'good' stories. Their definition of 'good' is based on a singular filter - 'is it funny?' I know it's a nuanced answer because both of what you might mean and what I'm saying is 'good story with interesting characters' but I think there's value in differentiating the focus of what 'good' means for different genres. What do you think?

[@AtomicHaven]

Surviving Animation Of course it depends on the show. Shows like Gravity Falls and Steven Universe are aimed at the same demographic but are a whole lot more story and character driven. Stuff like Avatar The Last Airbender , Into the Spiderverse, and Ghibli Movies, (works of art) wouldn’t be made if animations main goal was to be funny.

[@SurvivingAnimation]

@@AtomicHaven Oh I totally agree with you! For those kinds of shows having complex plots and/or action and comedy mixed together is what makes them great! I guess what I was trying to explain in this video is that different genres have different pilot script needs.

[@afrosheep1]

Great videos!

[@imaginarymask]

Cool VINCENT!

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Thanks for noticing! 😁🤖

[@kujoredthenatty6648]

What is your take on an amateur making webisodes to get noticed or picked up by bigger studios?

[@SurvivingAnimation]

I think it's a great idea!

[@primarycolorsvideo]

Eric, thanks for all the wonderful insider info! You have been amazingly helpful in teaching me some of the business of animation! My partner and I (both New Yorkers) have had some good luck with a series we developed over the last year. My partner is a veteran comic book cartoonist/writer (well-known kids comic books). I come from the TV production field. But, neither of us has a great deal of major broadcast animation experience. Nevertheless, we were crazy enough to go out to friends and raise enough cash to hire a studio to build with us a wonderful 1-minute trailer (they are a Polish animation studio). We then designed a cool pitch deck and low and behold, the studio submitted us into the Cartoon Forum and we made the cut (this September in France)! Have you ever attended this event? Do you have experience in the European market? Is selling a show in Europe going to be different than selling a show in the States? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Again, thanks so much for your thoughts!

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Wow cool stuff and thanks for watching and congrats on Cartoon Forum! I've never actually attended (I'm more of an Annecy guy), but I know that's a great market! I've done some work in Europe but was mostly during my days selling anime or attending/speaking at events. What I can tell you is that it's more of a territory-by-territory market, so lots of EU content feels a bit 'compromised' to me, since there's not often a single distributor guiding each show. Also, I'd say there's a much more robust tax subsidy market, particularly in France. Anyway, hit me up LinkedIN if you wanna chat more. I'd love to see the piece you completed!

[@fxdojo]

Awesome channel, and your content is so concise and organized! Just curious if you plan on talking about your personal opinions on the future of animation production/distribution. Also: it might be a bad business idea but I would love to see a top ten list or videos where you praise or criticize things. I respect your opinion and I think it would be awesome to hear about your likes and dislikes. Looking forward to the next video!

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Hey Otto is that you?!?! :)

[@fxdojo]

Меня зовут Маша

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Thanks for watching! I'll consider your topic requests! But, generally, I don't think of this channel as topical journalism or pop-culture commentary, so I probably won't state my opinion creatively about new series or films. I'm more here to talk about the business of cartoons!

[@Leonardoverse]

This really narrows things down. Great info!

[@ellieluvsroblox2622]

What will the three act structure usually look like for 6-11 comedy and boys action/sci-fi? Those are my target areas, as a writer

[@GalacticCobalt]

Question when developing a show/writing a pilot: For animation can you write a pilot without a finalized animation style...Can you sell the quality of writing and the vision? Like hypothetically, a show like Rick and Morty or Bob's Burgers, can you sell the show based on the writing rather than animation?

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Good question! I'd say that if your skill is writing, you could lean into that and either be honest with the buyer that you don't have a visual style. But, also I think it might come-off as ill-prepared if you don't at least have a strong mood board or opinion on the matter. Finally though, I'd say your best bet is to work with a designer and at least come-up with your vision. I hope that helps!

[@yukumangorice]

would you say that the "who the fuck are you" part applies to all sort of pilots but just more so for the adult comedy?

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Hey there and thanks for watching! That rule definitely applies to all genres. As streamers are demanding higher and higher quality content, the bar is also higher for the talent coming in to produce them!

[@yukumangorice]

@@SurvivingAnimation thanks, its so neat how many comments you reply to

[@FrankJamesBailey]

Question about age groups: Voltron: Legendary Defender is listed as TVY-7. I assume that would be fall under boys action / sci-fi. However, Miraculous Ladybug is also TVY-7 but it's target is...girls! Whould a show like Kim Possible or other action shows marketed for girls be under Boys action? (btw...I think you know where I'm going with this...LOL)

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Hey friend! Remember that those TV ratings are not the age target for a show. Rather, they are the government assigned notations for parents for the minimum age suggested for a series. I would consider Kim Possible a comedy first and foremost, even though it has fun action elements. But, this video isn't really about marketing. It's more about the general structure of pilot scripts. In your case, I would advise using the sci-fi structure since you're telling a tale that requires explanation and has a heroic struggle (as opposed to being a silly comedy like Spongebob). Hope that helps!

[@Distrakt]

What if the production company is a staff of one that self-produced a pilot? Also if they have an animation studio in mind that could pull it off on time and on the budget would they need to know this in advance or would a suggestion suffice while pitching the pilot?

[@SurvivingAnimation]

A self-produced pilot is fine (actually Beavis & Butt-Head's pilot was produced and animated in Mike Judge's garage and colored by his kids!). For a series though, either the creator or the distributor will have to talk about how the actual series will be completed.

[@wholebitmedia]

Oh hey Distrakt! I've on hiatus from FB mostly. Wonder what your upto. We should try suthin. Also check my chanel sometime. Wesside! LOL!

[@wholebitmedia]

Comedy Central is taking Animation Submissions. www.awn.com/news/comedy-central-launches-animated-shorts-program

[@Drax69420]

Hey there, really liking your channel. I'm thinking about writing a pilot based off of a videogame I really like. I want the show to be animated. I think it would be like Steven universe to start off, but early steven universe. any tips for writing a pilot of a adaption of a pre exsisting thing? And I would prefer a answer soon since I gotta write this thing for a grade, lol.

[@metallichobo5165]

Are you able to make a cartoon show for netflix as a kid? I am asking this because I have a show idea that I've been working on for 2 to 3 months now

[@SurvivingAnimation]

It's not impossible! But I would discuss with your parents first. If they're not familiar with the animation industry, you can watch any of my episodes with them and have a discussion about it. I know a few very famous animators that started as teenagers, including a good friend who animated on KLAUS.

[@metallichobo5165]

@@SurvivingAnimation Yeah because I can do the basics but I struggle with stuff like fight scenes like advanced stuff like that but like would they accept a show idea from a kid like 12 to 13 years old is my biggest question

[@SurvivingAnimation]

@@metallichobo5165 It's probably difficult! But keep drawing and just having fun with what you're doing. Try to study art and animation as much as you can and you'll get better as you keep drawing and practicing. For now, I would say don't worry about trying to get a show. Try to just make things and complete them. That's the best way to start. Wishing you the best of luck and thanks again for watching!

[@greylemon6231]

I can create the pilot on any app, or i need an app that the studio use where i want to pitch my project?

[@SurvivingAnimation]

You can use any app you want. What matters is the quality of the final result!

[@jsptv2634]

So how to go about to sale your Audlt cartoon script?

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Thank you for watching! Stand by for an upcoming video on the topic coming soon!

[@jsptv2634]

@@SurvivingAnimation ok thanks

[@Trokumukum]

I still don't really know how to make a cartoon On Netflix

[@SurvivingAnimation]

It's just like making any other cartoon!

[@SDwilly]

haha any example of the 6-11 category of show?

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Spongebob Squarepants!

[@cutegodzilla2909]

Any tips for someone that is beta reading a pilot script? What should I think about?

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Hey there and thanks for watching! As I mentioned in this video, the guidelines are very specific for the genre. Which genre is the script that you're reading?

[@cutegodzilla2909]

@@SurvivingAnimation its an action series

[@SurvivingAnimation]

@@cutegodzilla2909 best advice I can offer is at 5:04 of this video. Hope it helps you a little bit! if you want advice that's more specifically geared towards writing or story analysis, you might want to search for another channel more focused on that. Here, my mission is being 'your guide to making it in the BUSINESS of cartoons.' But thanks for watching!

[@cutegodzilla2909]

@@SurvivingAnimation thank you so much for your answer and time!

[@SDwilly]

how was it like being Attorney General?

[@SurvivingAnimation]

haha uhhhh... what?

[@SDwilly]

@@SurvivingAnimation didn't you say your name was eric holder

[@SurvivingAnimation]

@@SDwilly Ahaha close! Eric Calderon!

[@madicecream3450]

Hey, if a person makes a spinoff series example: adventure time fanfic, but the writer and animator didnt use any exsisting assets, even the title has changed... Except the art style Will the person be able to claim it as their own work and be able to make money off it or is it illegal? My friend is currently making a spinoff but he doesnt know wether to pursue it or not, thanks 😄😄 and congrats on 1K😄

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching! That's a great question and is also a bit tricky territory as well. I'm not a copyright lawyer, but I can tell you generally that it's not ideas that are copyrightable, but the specific execution of an idea. In other words, you can have a show about a magic dog that changes shape - but you can't have that dog be Jake and it can't be drawn in the exact (or a confusingly similar) style as the yellow Jake from Adventure Time. Another anecdote you may have heard before is that 50 SHADES, the books and film, actually got their start as a TWILIGHT fanfic novel! But, as far as I know (since I haven't read the book), the author takes care never to mention the exact characters in Twilight, nor does she reference specific scenes or moments from that book. Finally, as for 'pursuing' if that just means making something because you're passionate, then I think it's always fine (which is the heart of fanfic). But, if the goal is to make something that will spawn a business or a new animated series. I'd say be very careful or perhaps not pursue at all. It's much less riskier to just be inspired by Adventure Time and then come-up with something new, rather than directly take that franchise and make new stories. I hope that helps!

[@thedark3ststar]

okay question what area does shera reboot/steven universe/amphibia/the owl house kind of show fit into? ive heard that its 6-11 but those shows have very complex lore and always super funny

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Each of those are different. She-Ra is serial episodic action. Amphibia is comedy. To be honest, I haven't watched a full episode of Owl House yet. Steven Universe is action/comedy as its base. But it goes into serial episodic and then there's of course a single movie as well.

[@basscrackyt5663]

I know someone else said this but recently I got this idea for a show that has mainly adult humour I’m gonna start making storyboards/scripts soon but I am a child. Is there any way I could get my show on air or on a streaming service when it is complete?

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Anything's possible! Keep at it! When it's done, your parents can help talk to some professionals (like me) about it!

[@basscrackyt5663]

Also I have no tools for animating I only have paper and pens/ pencils

[@basscrackyt5663]

Surviving Animation how? Also I’ve only told my mum about it a little and my dad has no clue about it

[@SurvivingAnimation]

@@basscrackyt5663 That's OK! Just draw and make flip books!

[@SurvivingAnimation]

@@basscrackyt5663 If you're really serious, you can have. your parents find me on LinkedIN.

[@pausantandreu]

Oh no, what about pilot scripts for woke and wacky?

[@SurvivingAnimation]

Haha good point! But I think this still probably fits within the structure of comedy.