Newcomers in the realm of animation creation ought to embrace social media wholeheartedly, rather than viewing it as a worry, and look past traditional methods of production and distribution. Here are some suggestions:
1. Create a strong online presence: Establishing a consistent and engaging presence on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Tumblr can help build an audience for your work.
2. Share behind-the-scenes content: Giving followers a glimpse into the creative process can foster intrigue and excitement about your upcoming projects.
3. Network with peers and industry professionals: Engaging with other animators, artists, and influencers in the field can open up opportunities for collaboration and career advancement.
4. Promote your work effectively: Use social media to showcase your portfolio and share links to your completed animations or projects on platforms like Vimeo or YouTube.
5. Engage with your audience: Responding to comments, questions, and feedback from followers can help build a loyal fanbase and create a sense of community around your work.
Hayley Lam, founder at Studio Munbou, suggested engaging with commenters as they prefer conversation rather than speaking to a silent audience.
As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the unique charm of independent creators and their stories, along with internet-born characters. They offer an engaging opportunity to connect with dedicated communities and fanbases. Take Hatsune Miku for instance; she’s a prime example of how creative properties can be empowered to the public, allowing them to truly own the IP.
During a panel discussion at the WIA Summit, titled “The Audience-Driven Future,” which was led by WIA president Marge Dean, she emphasized the importance of trying new approaches to make a mark on social media.
Grab their attention within the initial few seconds or risk losing them to endless scrolling. Your content should be engaging enough to trigger a dopamine response, making it memorable. To keep visitors on your page, make sure your identity and narrative are distinct and captivating.
It also needs to make them feel something.
Does it stir their emotions? Can they connect with it? Are you creating content just for the sake of it, or do you aim to provoke a response? People are more likely to engage, respond, and share if your content elicits some sort of emotional reaction, whether it’s frustration, joy, or excitement.
Maya Penn, the CEO at Upenndo! Productions, which brought us “ASALi: Power of the Pollinators” (executive produced by Viola Davis and starring Whoopi Goldberg), acknowledged that social media interaction tends to be highly influenced by emotions.
People appreciate being included from the beginning stages of something. They enjoy feeling like they’ve contributed early on. I’ve noticed that many self-reliant projects thrive when they initiate with: ‘Hey, here’s an idea for a character. What are your thoughts?’ This engagement can be done through a sequence of tweets or Instagram videos.
For independent artists to successfully finance their ventures through crowd-funding or grants, active audience involvement is essential.
An essential aspect is providing behind-the-scenes material to make viewers feel like they’re along for the ride. ‘ASALi’, first introduced in 2012, has actually been in development for over a decade. Some of our original supporters have stuck around all this time.
Reusing content and repetition is not a mistake; it helps.
Instead of merely grabbing people’s attention, it’s important to reinforce what they have previously encountered. Although repeating the same message multiple times may seem repetitive or even bothersome at first, it isn’t.
Especially on TikTok, said Khoa Trinh, CEO at OTSU Labs.
On this unique platform, there’s no penalty for repeated content. Feel free to post as much as you like until you sense progress, then delve into the insights derived from your posts.
Young generations such as Gen Z and Gen Alpha are likely to engage with a character on social media because they can ‘like’ posts and follow updates, thus starting a journey. It’s possible that they may not fully grasp the original context of the story, but they don’t seem concerned about it.
As an aspiring movie reviewer, I found myself in a pinch when funds were low, but rich in connections with like-minded animators and artists. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, we pooled our resources and created a motley crew of characters, sans a coherent narrative. One particular creation struck a chord, resonating with audiences far and wide. Within half a year, we amassed an impressive following of 200,000, fueling our passion to flesh out these characters more intricately.
In today’s world where Generation Z and Generation Alpha lean towards platforms like YouTube and brief content, I can’t help but marvel at the evolution of storytelling, especially webcomics that serve as a compelling demonstration of this shift.
In my quest for an exciting new project, I set out to develop “Whispers of Taiji” with the intention of creating something entertaining that would capture people’s imagination. Little did I know that this simple idea might one day blossom into a webcomic and perhaps even an anime series!
Aren’t we all drawn to crafting our own stories? We shared our intellectual property from the start, inviting you: ‘What do you think of our characters?’ This way, we can gather immediate feedback – the good, the bad, and everything in between. It’s about working together with our audience, allowing them to contribute and help bring our story to life.
Creating a community also allows animation makers to stay independent.
Penn shared that he wished to maintain integrity in his tale, setting, and message for ‘ASALi’, without having to alter them due to suggestions from executives.
Our short film serves as a potential first episode in a series, with the intention of creating additional content. Since we’re self-producing, we don’t require numerous approvals. Instead, we focus on listening to our audience feedback and finding ways to incorporate it into the narratives we develop.
As a devotee, I embarked on the journey of bringing “Ewilan’s Quest,” penned by Pierre Bottero, to life on screen under the guidance of Sophie Saget from Andarta Pictures.
In France, the information was already widespread. As soon as people on social media learned about it, there was an immediate surge of activity. To manage this influx, I hired a community manager first and foremost to create a platform for followers to keep track of our activities,” she explained.
Gathering an audience attracts broadcasters, just as creating unique content requires a bit more patience.
A Kickstarter campaign brought in more than €300,000 ($342,600) for development.
Working alongside you feels like being part of a creative team right in our studio. The most exciting aspect isn’t merely watching the series, it’s crafting it and developing the designs. As I presented my idea at Cartoon Forum to a gathering of broadcasters and producers, I pondered: Could I support the show entirely through funds contributed by those who are genuinely interested in it? While this isn’t feasible currently, it could be a reality in the future.
It doesn’t mean you have to listen to everything people say.
Feel free to conduct numerous tests to determine audience preferences, and observe what sparks the greatest response. Each Wednesday, we present a book-related quiz, which tends to stimulate high levels of interaction. Encourage activities that facilitate user engagement, and consider yourself as a brand with interactive qualities.
Penn stated that it can be quite uncomfortable to be open to changes and adjustments based on others’ reactions, while still maintaining clarity in presenting one’s project. In simpler terms, he meant being adaptable and flexible, but also clear about one’s own project representation.
Feel free to try out new, unique, or unusual ideas. Go ahead and experiment; you never know the outcome.
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2025-06-10 20:52