Welcome back to Part 02 of our conversation with DeadEndia creator and showrunner - and pitch extraordinaire - Hamish Steele!
Last episode we talked about how the original DeadEndia story drew from some of the real life experiences Hamish and his friends had, and how our own real life experiences are, and can be, reflected in the shows that we watch and create.
Now in Part 02...
We’re picking up again as Hamish considers what’s most important about DeadEndia that he really wanted to protect as it became an animated show, as well as:
Plenty of pitching advice gleaned from Hamish’s years of experience (including a link below to his pitching webinar, 'How to Pitch Perfectly'!)
How collaboration can bolster representation and amplify others’ voices
Hamish’s wonderfully straight-forward answer to ‘guilty’ pleasures
And his dearest wish for DeadEndia, and how you can help make it happen!
It’s a jam-packed Part 02, so let’s go!
Listen to DIYA Episode 28
Use the player at the top of the post to listen or download, or choose one of these below:
Soundcloud | Spotify | iTunes
And you can follow us on your fave social platform here:
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Don’t forget to subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode!
Links
Hamish’s website | twitter | instagram
Webinar: How to Pitch Perfectly for Comics, Cartoons and More!
Croc and Roll
Love Rats: webtoons | tapas
(Hamish’s latest project, not mentioned in episode)
DeadEndia: the webcomic
Buy DeadEndia from Nobrow
DeadEndia on Netflix - coming 2021!
DeadEnd: the Frederator short
Next Time
That’s it for our interview with Hamish! Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for DeadEndia out on Netflix this year (2021), and keep asking Netflix for a DeadEndia art book!
Jess and I would also like to take a moment to thank you so much for your patience as we adjust to our new schedules, both personally with our work and with the Show. We love you guys, and really appreciate you bearing with us :D <3 We’ll be back with another great guest and a brand new episode as soon as we can!
If you haven’t already, subscribe on Spotify, SoundCloud, or iTunes and you’ll never miss an episode.
Hey you! Welcome back to The DIY Animation Show! We’re kicking off Season 5 with DeadEndia creator and showrunner, Hamish Steele!
Possibly best currently known for his graphic novel, DeadEndia*, Hamish also has wide experience of developing and pitching animated shows, directing and writing with Blink Industries, has won an Eisner award, AND is a self-confessed zine enthusiast (if you ever get your eyes on his Paul Rudd zine, you won’t regret it!).
His work is silly and fun, and infused with warmth and a real heart for human experience.
We were super excited to speak with him all about DeadEndia - to discover how his webcomic became an animated series, and what that process was like - and enjoyed an incredibly uplifting and astute conversation, ranging from his broad work experience to his and his friends’ own personal experience of life.
Today in Part 01 Hamish shares with us...
All about DeadEndia - its roots, its heart, and its 10-year journey from short, to webcomic, to published book, to animated series
His experiences of show development and writing
What it’s like showrunning during the UK’s covid-19 lockdown, and finding ways to keep the team’s spirits buoyed up
And the importance of being part of the conversation about LGBT representation
*If you haven’t heard of DeadEndia, it’s a story filled with comedy and heartbreak, and follows the adventures of Barney, a transgender teen, and neurodiverse Norma - two humans who stumble upon the supernatural secrets of Dead End, an amusement park haunted house, along with a diverse cast of both human and supernatural characters. It’s bright, bold, and beautiful, in all of its visuals, writing, and the relationships it portrays within. You can read the webcomic here.
Grab some snacks, get comfy, and let’s dive right in!
Listen to DIYA Episode 27
Use the player at the top of the post to listen or download, or choose one of these below:
Soundcloud | Spotify | iTunes
And you can follow us on your fave social platform here:
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Don’t forget to subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode!
Links
Hamish’s website | twitter | instagram
DeadEndia: the webcomic
Buy DeadEndia from Nobrow
DeadEndia on Netflix - coming 2021!
DeadEnd: the Frederator short
Next Time
Next time in Part 2 of Hamish’s interview, we continue the conversation on DeadEndia, and Hamish shares plenty of pitching advice, discusses how collaboration can bolster representation, and how he struggles to understand the phrase ‘guilty pleasure’.
Part 2 will be out real soon! Subscribe on Spotify, SoundCloud, or iTunes so you’ll never miss an episode.
Whaaaaaat! It’s Season 5 of the DIY Animation Show!
It’s been a very strange year, with a lot of unexpected events, but we're back and excited for this new Season of the Show!
We’ll be here on January 27th, 2021 (yep, next week!) with our first guest of Season 5 - DeadEndia creator & show runner, and pitch extraordinaire, Hamish Steele! He was such a joy to talk with, and it’s such an uplifting and encouraging conversation; we think you’re going to love it!
We’re also trying some new things this season, so listen to the recording above for all the details. The short version is:
___ a more raw feel to the show, with less intense editing
___ a more spontaneous and flexible release schedule
___ and a broader range of topics
We’re really looking forward to this season of DIYA, and want to thank you for your support, patience and for sticking with us <3
We really hope this past year has been ok for you, and we’re wishing you all the best for 2021, with fresh hope and excitement for your projects.
Keep being your awesome self, and we’ll be here with our first interview of the season on January 27th!
Nintendo, Gifs, and Baguettes - Interview with Kevin 'KekeFlipnote' Gemin (Pt 02) :: DIYA #26
Bonjour et bienvenue to the DIYA Animation Show!
We are here with Part 02 of our interview with Kevin 'KekeFlipnote' Gemin, and our final episode of Season 4!
Last time in Part 01, we learned how the Nintendo DSi ignited Kevin's passion for animating. Kevin also gave us a detailed walk-through of just how he makes his adorable, bouncing animations, as well as advice on surviving the naysayers to focus on what brings us joy.
Today in Part 02, Kevin continues to enlighten us...
___As he recounts how he came to work on the video series 'L'Odyssée de Klassik'
___The most challenging episode of 'L'Odyssée de Klassik' to work on and why
___Tips for animating dance to music
___Practices for supporting other artists online and protecting your own work
___And the one most vital thing he thinks a DIY animator needs!
Listen to DIYA Episode 26:
Use the player at the top of the post, or listen using the links below:
Download the mp3 | Soundcloud | Spotify | iTunes
And you can follow us on your fave social platform here
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Don’t forget to subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode!
Links
Kevin Gemin: Twitter| Facebook| Tumblr | Youtube| Patreon
L'Odyssée de Klassik
Bobbyprod
That's a Wrap!
That wraps up Season 4 of the DIY Animation Show!
Season break will go a little differently this time around - there will not be any season break posts, as we both have big personal things coming up over spring and summer (moving, job transitions, etc.). You all know what that's like!
We'll see you back here for Season 5 in autumn 2020! We'll post a teaser the week before the release of the first new episode of Season 5, so be on the lookout!
In the meantime, you can you can support the show by sharing it with your friends, family, and whoever else you think would enjoy!
We hope you all have a fantastic next few months, filled with fun and animation, and feel free to chat with us on social media! We always love talking with you!
Nintendo, Gifs, and Baguettes - Interview with Kevin 'KekeFlipnote' Gemin (Pt 01) :: DIYA #25
Welcome back to the DIY Animation Show, and to a brand New Year!
Before we begin, we have one question for you...
What do pigeons, baguettes, and a Nintendo DSi all have in common?
... Why, Kevin "KekeFlipnote" Gemin, of course!
Keke's work is easily recognizable. Overflowing with joy and charm, his animations feature adorably bouncy, dancing, happy animals, smiling and living their best lives in silly and sweet scenarios.
On top of this, his work's aesthetic is completely unique. Using his trusty Nintendo DSi as his go-to tool, the final look of his animations is a semi-pixelated 2D affair, unable to be replicated using any other program outside of the FlipNote Studio app.
If you ever need to put a smile on your face, just turn to Keke's work. You'll be grinning from ear-to-ear in no time!
In Part 01 of Keke's interview, we learn...
___"Why pigeons, foxes, and baguettes?"
___How FlipNote Studio's unique magic captured Keke's heart
___Exactly how Keke creates one of his gifs in FlipNote... and it's not as straightforward as you'd think!
___How Keke makes his squash-and-stretch 'just so squashy-and-stretchy'
___Surviving the naysayers and focusing on what brings you joy.
*Two quick audio notes: First, Lauren handled this interview solo as Jess suddenly was unable to record that day. Lauren rocked it (of course!), and we wanted to let you know of the change for Part 01 and Part 02!
Second, Keke's laptop makes an intermittent whirring sound that occurs throughout the interview. It doesn't affect the audio quality, but we wanted to let you know in case you were wondering what the sound is!
Listen to DIYA Episode 25:
Use the player at the top of the post, or listen using the links below:
Download the mp3 | Soundcloud | Spotify | iTunes
And you can follow us on your fave social platform here
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Don’t forget to subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode!
Links
Kevin Gemin: Twitter| Facebook |Youtube| Patreon
Mdmbunny
Keke Gifs in Order of Mention
01 "Re1 (Fox Dancing)"
02 “Artisto”
03 “Dobby et Citron”
04 "Ouredans"
05 “Summer”
06 “Accordion”
07 “French CanCan ! Animation”
All gifs shared with Kéké’s kind permission.
Next Time
Thank you for joining us for today's episode! Part 02 will be available on Wednesday February 19th!
And by holiday spectacular, we of course mean kickin' it, relaxin', talking about our holiday and project plans, and hopes for what 2020 will bring!
Can you believe it's already the end of 2019? We saw a lot of new things for the Show - new guests, interviews, taking DIYA on the road, personal projects, and more.
Now, please grab your favorite blanket and holiday beverage, and hang out with us as we chat about our end-of-years, the whole-hearted amazingness of Klaus (Netflix 2019), our favorite holiday movies, and personal 2020 mottos to kick off the new year!
Listen to DIYA Episode 21:
Use the player at the top of the post, or listen using the links below:
Download the mp3 | Soundcloud | Spotify | iTunes
And you can follow us on your fave social platform here
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Don’t forget to subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode!
Next Time
That wraps up our last episode for 2019! Tune in for a brand new interview with an especially joyful guest this upcoming Wednesday January 22nd!
Thank you for joining us this incredible 2019 and for your continued support of our show. We wish for you a beautiful year ahead, and we hope all your wishes and goals to come true. You've got this!
Background Design with ‘Clarence’ Background Artist Thomas Wellmann (Part 02) :: DIYA #23
Welcome back to the DIY Animation Show, and Part 2 of our interview with Thomas Wellmann!
In Part 1, Thomas shared his process for creating backgrounds for animation, as well as discussing his lo-fi, grounded approach to making art and encouraging the evolution of your visual style.
Today in Part 2, Thomas shares...
___His free-fly approach to character design
___His creative process for making comics
___Helpful Techniques for creating crazy perspective backgrounds
___The importance of finishing things
___And the one most vital thing he thinks a DIY animator - or creator - needs!
Listen to DIYA Episode 23:
Use the player at the top of the post, or listen using the links below:
Download the mp3 | Soundcloud | Spotify | iTunes
And you can follow us on your fave social platform here
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Don’t forget to subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode!
Links
Thomas Wellmann: Official Site | Twitter| Instagram
Books & Prints* on Rotopol Press
Nika, Lotte, Mangold!
*We recommend checking out the pre-orders for his Pimo & Rex and the Interdimensional Wedding), and Thomas recommends It Had to be You, by author-artist Nick Edwards!
That's a Wrap!
Thank you for joining us as we conclude our interview with Thomas Wellmann! We'll be back next month on Wednesday December 18th with this year's low-key Christmas Special, so grab your blanket, hot chocolate, and favorite holiday treats, and join us as we wind down for the holiday break!
Until next time...
Follow your heart,
and have fun animating! <3
Background Design with 'Clarence' Background Artist Thomas Wellmann (Part 01) :: DIYA #22
Today, we talk with story and background artist Thomas Wellmann, hailing all the way from Germany! He wears many hats as an artist, working as a background artist for Clarence and Summer Camp Island, a storyboard artist on Adventure Time, and creating indie comics in his spare time!
We were initially stoked to pick his brains about making backgrounds for some of our favorite shows. However, his wealth of experience lead to an enriching discussion on what it means to tell a visual story, whether through backgrounds, comics, or in the simplest of drawings.
Today in Part 1, Thomas shares...
___How he got to work on Adventure Time & Clarence... while still living in Germany
___His favorite things that help him work effectively from home
___His technical nuts & bolts process for creating backgrounds for Clarence
___His low-fi, no-frills approach to creating art
___And his philosophy on visual style and encouraging its evolution
Listen to DIYA Episode 22:
Use the player at the top of the post, or listen using the links below:
Download the mp3 | Soundcloud | Spotify | iTunes
And you can follow us on your fave social platform here
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Don’t forget to subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode!
Links
Thomas Wellmann: Official Site | Twitter | Instagram | Books & Prints on Rotopol Press
TCAF
Max Fiedler
Jesse Moynihan
UPDATE: Thomas also has a book - Nika, Lotte, Mangold! - recently published by Rotopol Press! It's gorgeous, and promises to be a great story. You can buy it here, on Rotopol Press.
Be sure to check out Thomas' other books and prints in his Rotopol artist shop (including pre-orders for his Pimo & Rex and the Interdimensional Wedding), and he recommends It Had to be You, by author-artist Nick Edwards.
Next Time
Next time in Part 2 of Thomas's interview, we touch on character design, his comics, and more pro tips for creating backgrounds for your animated project!
Part 2 will be out Wednesday November 20th! Subscribe on Spotify, SoundCloud, or iTunes so you'll never miss an episode.
It was our turn to be interviewed this time! We were super stoked to be invited onto The Up & Coming Artists Podcast and be interviewed by host & animator, Ben Davis!
Lauren had the pleasure of meeting Ben, and his brother and co-host, Christian, at the Ground Zero Animation Expo in Stanton OC, California, this summer. We knew we had to collaborate on something, but never expected to be on the opposite side of an interview!
It was an honour to be asked on such a brilliant show, and we had an absolute blast hanging out with Ben and fully nerding out about all things animation and podcasting.
If you've ever been curious about what got the two of us into animation, our favourite ingredients for the best animation, or how DIYA had its beginnings with Oatley Academy, you can listen to the first part through the link below!
Listen now
Spotify: Episode 31 - The DIY Animation Show Part 1 on The Up & Coming Artists Podcast
Spotify: Episode 32 - The DIY Animation Show Part 2 on The Up & Coming Artists Podcast
The Up & Coming Artists Podcast
The Up & Coming Artists Podcast is hosted by brothers Ben and Christian Davis. Through casual conversation, they shine a sparkling spotlight on the exciting, creative talents of artists from across the whole creative spectrum, finding out what makes them tick, how they make their art, and enjoy a laugh or ten. If you want another arty and encouraging podcast to add to your roster, we definitely recommend theirs!
Find The Up & Coming Artists Podcast on iTunes | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram
“In the Name of the Moon, I’ll Re-Animate You!” – Interview with Kate Sullivan, Captain of Moon Animate Make-Up (Pt 2) :: DIYA #21
We're back with Part 2 of our interview with Kate Sullivan, the magical Guardian behind Sailor Moon fan-reanimations Moon Animate Make-Up 1 & 2!
Last time in Part 1, Kate shared how her re-animated project found its start, the state of 2D animation, what makes a great demo reel, and what hustling really looks like.
Now, here in Part 2, Kate dives into more detail about...
___Her step-by-step project management process for Moon Animate 2
___The importance of fan creations
___What it takes to make the transition from fan to professional
___The importance of timing in your animated project, career, and life
___And, the one most vital thing Kate thinks a DIY Animator needs!
*As a note, Kate's audio gets iffy places, as Skype and the WiFi were having a tough time. But! Kate's energy and love of animation is infectious, and her determined optimism for what the animation community will create next is sure to inspire!
In the name of Moon Animate, let's start Part 2!!
Listen to DIYA Episode 21:
Use the player at the top of the post, or listen using the links below:
Download the mp3 | Soundcloud | Spotify | iTunes
And you can follow us on your fave social platform here
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Don’t forget to subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode!
Links
Kate Sullivan on Twitter
Moon Animate Make-Up! 1
Moon Animate Make-Up! 2
Bartkira: The Animated Trailer
Next Time
That wraps up today's interview! Join us next month on Wednesday, October 23rd for a new guest, and a brand new dose of animation inspiration - here on the blog, Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, and all our social channels.
“In the Name of the Moon, I’ll Re-Animate You!” - Interview with Kate Sullivan, Captain of Moon Animate Make-Up (Pt 1) :: DIYA #20
Our first interview to kick off Season 4 is Kate Sullivan, captain and pioneer behind the legendary Sailor Moon re-animation collab: Moon Animate Make-Up!
Kate organized a huge team of volunteer animators to completely recreate episodes of Sailor Moon, assigning each animator a clip of their own to re-animate in their own style. This was no easy task - sifting through demo reels, organizing countless assets, keeping track of her contributors' progress and updating spreadsheets like there was no tomorrow.
She went into this with no other goal than to create a cool thing in celebration of one of her favourite shows. Little did she know the impact the project would have on the animation and fan communities, setting a precedent for re-animating fan collaborations across the internet.
In today’s episode, Kate shares:
___ A look at the project management-side of Moon Animate, and the effort that’s involved in a project that has the potential to resemble a herd of cats
___ Plenty of real talk on the state of 2D animation
___ What makes a brilliant demo reel
___ And what hustling really looks like
*We also try something a little different in our intro this episode - but if you want to skip ahead to Kate's goodness, we understand! Fast-forward to 16:30 ;)
Listen to DIYA Episode 19:
Use the player at the top of the post, or listen using the links below:
Download the mp3 | Soundcloud | Spotify | iTunes
And you can follow us on your fave social platform here
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Don’t forget to subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode!
Links
Kate Sullivan on Twitter
Moon Animate Make-Up! 1
Moon Animate Make-Up! 2
Bartkira: The Animated Trailer
DIYA DPCC Recap Blogpost
DIYA Quotable Quotes Blogpost
Next Time
Next time in Part 2 of Kate's interview, join us as we dive deeper into the conversation on fan animation collaborations, and, of course, the one most vital thing Kate thinks a DIY animator needs!
Part 2 will be out Wednesday September 18th! Subscribe on Spotify, SoundCloud, or iTunes so you'll never miss an episode.
WOAH! Welcome back! We hope you had a great summer. Ours was full - taking DIYA to Denver Pop Culture Con, lots of life milestones, and... excitement building up to bring you the next Season of DIYA! And now it's here. Hooray!
We’ll be here next week, August 21st 2019, with our first episode of the new season featuring Kate Sullivan of Moon Animate Make Up fame, and can’t wait for you to hear it!
Season Break - Quotable Quotes During Tough Times :: SB #7
Hello, everyone! Jess here.
And you know what they say... life can be tough sometimes, and you may not know how to cope.
These tough times can happen when you least want them to, and when these hardships occur, they can disrupt our plans, zap our energy, rattle our expectations, and in our weaker moments, can unsettle our faith in ourselves or others.
The good news is that these feelings will pass with time and focused effort. The better news is that how we approach that focused effort can make all the difference in having a healthier, quicker, and more effective long-term recovery.
I recently went through a rough patch myself, and found it difficult at times to animate or get any work done. I ultimately pushed through, but geez, it was tough sometimes!
One of my favorite things to do during tough times is to inundate my brain with as much positive or constructive material as possible to understand what I'm experiencing and help guide me in what to do. Particularly, I love coming across quotes that ground me in the present and set me up to move forward in a healthy way.
I want to share a few of thee quotes with you all, because I figure they've helped me, so maybe they can help someone else too.
Plus, I just really love these. They're super inspiring!
My Current Favorite Quotes for Getting through Tough Times
"Follow Your Fear"
Source: Mind Your Business Podcast
One of our mottos on DIYA is to "Follow your Heart." I love that quote, and I will always stand by it 100%. But a couple of weeks ago, I heard a new quote that struck me from a very different angle; that is, to "Follow your Fear."
The quote itself can be very misleading if you haven't heard it before. It doesn't mean to dive blindly into dangerous situations that threaten our lives or others, or to let fear consume us in our decisions.
Rather, it refers to our identifying projects, actions, or things in our life that are important and meaningful to us, but that we are too scared to confront or give 100% of our effort to.
In other words, what you're most scared to pursue is most likely the thing that will bring you the most growth.
It can be really scary to move forward with projects or ventures that mean a lot to us, for a variety of reasons:
Fear of failing to achieve our definition of success
Fear of others rejecting something personal to us
Fear of committing to a project because maybe it's not the right one
So, what can you do? You literally follow your fear and identify the projects or things you've been avoiding due to that fear. Maybe it's reaching out to that client you've dreamed of working with, or reaching out to an old friend you're scared won't remember you. Maybe it's deciding to focus on illustration, even if you've devoted years to studying animation.
Now, set the fear aside and determine what pursuit is most important to you. Allow yourself to be honest and compassionate with yourself about your answer. Follow your fear, and let it lead you to the work that's meaningful to you.
And finally, pursue the thing. It will probably be uncomfortable at times, but most likely, it's going to be so worth it, because you're pursuing something meaningful to you. And that makes all the difference.
"Assess the Income and Impact"
Source: Mind Your Business Podcast
This quote is great to remember when choosing what new venture to move forward with. You take into account the potential income (i.e. growth potential) and impact (whether on your life or others') of a project, idea, career, etc., and determine if it's worth it to pursue the venture.
In my opinion, this practice isn't so much for fun projects that are purely for you. This is most appropriate when assessing business ventures that could influence your career.
I first heard this quote when thinking of my career trajectory and where it's heading, trying to work out if I was satisfied with the hustle of pursuing my dreams, or if I was burnt out from juggling a variety of mismatched projects with varying degrees of relation to my truest personal goals. Honestly, I'd say it was a mix of both, but since putting the philosophy of this quote into practice, I've found myself on a path away from busyness and towards balance and satisfaction.
Why take into account income and impact? For starters, you need income to sustain yourself and drive growth. It's extremely difficult to move forward when you don't have the resources to support yourself, hence why it's crucial to give importance to projects with ample possibility to bring in income. Once that income is there to support yourself, any additional income can be used to do more in your business.
Money is important, but so is the potential impact of your project. Can your project reach people? Does it have something to say? Is there personal importance in pursuing this project? We don't just want to make money. We want to make a difference. That difference can be for you or others, but it's important all the same.
And remember, things have impact on their own just for the fact of being completed. I heard that first from Jason Brubaker, and thinking back, all of my major breakthroughs came from finishing projects. They had large impacts on my life purely because I saw them through.
Finally, does your project idea have a healthy balance of potential income and impact for you? This is a very personal decision, and if you find one area to be unsatisfactory (for example, too little income, or not enough impact), what can you do to change it and make it satisfactory?
“No such thing as spare time. No such thing as free time. No such thing as down time. All you got is life time. Go.”
– Henry Rollins
Source: Hack the Entrepreneur Podcast
There is no better time like the present, because the present is the time that we have. Go and do the thing. Pursue what's meaningful to you. Do what's healthy for you. Do what you can to live the life you want and need.
I turned 30 in June (yay!), and while I'm super excited for the things I've done so far, I'm absolutely stoked to embrace life and move forward with the mindsets and things that can set me up for success. And to focus on my future, I have to focus on my today.
Whatever success is for you, whether in your career, in relationships, in life, or what have you, I hope you're able to move forward and find it throughout your journey here. We take life and its struggles a day at a time, aiming to be present in the moment, to laugh, and to be compassionate to ourselves and the world around us. Now is our time.
What quote grounds you in difficult times?
Do you have a quote you find you come back to in tough moments? We would love to hear, so please share with us in the comments or in our social media channels!
Thank you all for reading! And remember two of our favorite quotes here...
Season Break - Thank You Denver! DPCC 2019 Wrap-Up :: SB #6
Our DPCC 2019 Booth!
Hello, old and new DIY-ers! We are back from Denver Pop Culture Con!!
Now that both of us have finished our travels, we’re getting back into the swing of our usual schedules. We’re a little bit later posting this blog than we intended (jet lag is crazy), and so have had some good time to reflect on the amazingness that was DPCC.
We were lucky enough to table in the Artist Valley with some of our favorite artists, promoting The DIY Animation Show, meeting new friends and regular listeners (hey guys!), and selling DIYA merch (which you can find later in the post) and Jess’ art. It was super fun times, and we’ve gathered some of our fave highlights from the experience below!
Highlights!
Good times with fans and cosplayers who bought Jess' art and a Follow Your Heart print
Jess
I’ve tabled at DPCC for a couple of years now, and it’s easily one of my favorite conventions. Between the gorgeous views of the mountains in Denver, the lively atmosphere of the crowd, and the all-around positive vibe of the show, I can’t get enough!
One of my favorite things each year is catching up with people I’ve meet from previous years and meeting new ones, whether they’re fans, booth buddies, volunteers… the list goes on. Everyone is always so nice and welcoming, and I believe they represent the best of what the pop culture crowd has to give.
Other highlights for me include spending quality time with friends and family that traveled with us, seeing Amanda Palmer in concert for the first time (mind-blowing!!), and finding a super cool Saitama action-figure from One Punch Man. Good times all around!
Lauren found her new vocation in a friend's Iden Versio helmet
Lauren
Colorado is even more beautiful than I’d expected; for a long time I’d had a distant hope of maybe - just maybe - seeing those mountains one day. So wandering around Garden of the Gods was a dream come true. Never have I seen anything so sublime.
Add to that a weekend of DPCC’s excellence and radness, meeting new listeners… and somehow having a knack for missing you regulars (Every. Single. Time. XD I’m so sorry!); there was so much good art and such a joy of expression, it really gave me a kick start in my own creative hopes and plans! Got the chance to attend Cary Elwes’ spotlight and discover just how hilarious he is, as well as deepen my love for astronomy and space with NASA’s roster of talks.
And finally - the cosplay. This was my first time experiencing cosplay on such a scale, and boy, was it ON POINT. I saw Henry Jones Sr., Mermista and Katra, and - perhaps the cherry on the cake - got to try on a new friend’s replica Iden Versio helmet. I have found my new calling. 501st / Rebel / Mandalorian Legions… sign me up for all of them.
Overwatch cosplayers showing how it's done. Thanks friend Keith for the photo.
Shout-Outs!
We met so many wonderful people at DPCC, here are just a few we thought you'd like, too.
Will Terry
children's book illustrator, teacher, & podcaster
Website | Podcast
I’ve been following Will Terry’s YouTube channel and podcast for a few years now, and he and his co-hosts always deliver great advice, whether you’re an illustrator, animator… you name it. We were able to catch up as the show was coming to a close, and it was just really great to see him!
AJ Nazzaro
illustrator & character designer
Website | Instagram
A good friend from the early days of The Oatley Academy, it was so fun to catch up and see just how AJ’s hard work and indomitable spirit is paying off. Now illustrating for the likes of Blizzard and Overwatch, and trying his hand at a little animation now and again, AJ is nailing it.
Ajay Young
comic artist & illustrator
Website | Instagram
If you’re in need of a good “potentially offensive” laugh and a super-awesome human to hang with, Ajay is another fellow Oatley Academy artist from years past. He and his wife are always a pleasure to catch up with at the show and see what new things they have in store. (“Mustache Duckstache” is a personal fave!)
Savvy Jensen
illustrator
Instagram
Savvy’s art keeps growing more out-of-control in its awesomeness! Another fellow OA-er, Savvy and her tenacious spirit are always pushing the boundaries of her painting skills (those colors though!!), and it was fantastic catching up with her. Dude is rocking it.
Andrew Thompson
illustrator
Website | Instagram
One of those happy con-connections, we got chatting and instantly clicked! Andrew’s art is super rad, bursting with acid pop colours and insanely energetic, filled with battles and hope. Can't wait to see what more he creates!
Booth Buddies!
Last, but not least, we were so fortunate to have such excellent booth buddies this year! Fantastic art and wonderful humans:
Erin Powers-Kim, AKA Lociro
illustrator & webcomic creator
Twitter | Instagram
Erin's razor sharp wit coupled with her coffee cats and fun art kept our spirits buoyed all weekend. Thanks Erin!
Sean Callahan & Alex Kmeto
colourist & illustrator
Sean's Website | Twitter | Alex's Website | Instagram
(Some work NSFW)
Along with their friends Martin, Hallam and Jason, this bunch made for a motley and hilarious crew - great art, lots of laughs, and a plethora of high-five techniques. Thanks guys!
The 'Follow Your Heart' print started out as a gif!
Merch!
We have a few ‘Follow Your Heart’ prints and sticker sheets left in stock for those who couldn’t make it to the show and want a piece of DIYA! You’ll find them over on Jess’ etsy store, in the DIYA section.
The package includes a signed and inscribed Follow Your Heart print, measuring 8x8” on matte 80lb cardstock, and a mini-sticker sheet of 6 unique designs. There’s only a few in stock, so grab them while you can!
Our DPCC Take-Aways!
Jess:
My take-away, and honestly I’m reminded of it with each show, is that you and your art will touch people in ways you can’t fully grasp. Making the choice to show up and put yourself out there, whether to sell art, to promote a show, to talk to the people there, can lead to joy, new friends, and so much more. It’s always worth it.
Lauren:
My biggest take-away from DPCC is that there’s so many different types of art, and so much out there to capture, so let’s make the art our heart desires! I’m so excited to play with my art, grow with it, and love it :D
Smiles and Satisfaction
And with that, Denver Pop Culture Con 2019 has come to a satisfying close!
We can’t tell you just how excited we are for the future of DIYA - we’ve had a taste of that Con Life, and we want moooore!!! It was incredible meeting everyone, and we’re looking forward to doing more shows in the future, getting more content to you all, and seeing just how far DIYA can go. Thank you all for your continued support! We appreciate you.
In the meantime, stay on the lookout for more blog posts this Season Break, and especially stay tuned for the upcoming Season 4 of DIYA!
Catch ya next time, and remember…
Follow your heart, and have fun animating!
<3
Jess & Lauren
Season Break - DIYA Goes to Denver Pop Culture Con 2019! :: SB #5
We have exciting news... Lauren and I are tabling at Denver Pop Culture Con 2019! Woohooooo!!
What is Denver Pop Culture Con, you may ask? Personally, it's one of my favorite conventions. Held in Denver, Colorado, and formerly titled Denver Comic Con, DPCC is a 3-day family friendly pop culture convention that features some of the best in pop culture entertainment. This year, it runs from Friday May 31st - Sunday June 2nd at the Colorado Convention Center.
It's also a large convention, growing steadily since its inauguration in 2012, the last few years breaking 100K+ in attendance, and is hosted by Pop Culture Classroom, a Denver non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire a love of learning, to increase literacy, celebrate diversity, and build community through pop culture education."
I've had the pleasure of tabling here for the last few years, and between the variety of cool guests, inspiring booths, kind attendees, and range of activities, it's easily one of my favorite conventions. And now DIYA is going to be there!
We'll be at Booth CC11 promoting the show, selling special DIYA stickers, and geeking out with people about animation (as usual). I'll also be selling some prints and commissions for those interested!
To hear more details - including a special ~secret code~ for convention freebies that you won't want to miss - check out the audio recording above or below!
Listen to DIYA DPCC Audio Message:
Use the player at the top of the post, or listen using the links below:
Download the mp3 | Soundcloud | Spotify | iTunes
And you can follow us on your fave social platform here
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Don’t forget to subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode!
Let us know if you'll be there! And if you can't, never fear! You can check out our social channels during the convention for photo bombs and general convention shenanigans.
Finally, a post-convention blog will go up Wednesday June 12 featuring photos from the trip, stories, and who knows what else!
See you in Denver! And until then...
Follow your heart, and have fun animating!
- Jess <3
(Lauren's running around in circles with excitement)
Making an Impact - 'Mila' Creator Cinzia Angelini and Producer Andrea Emmes (Part 2) :: DIYA #19
Welcome back to The DIY Animation Show! We are here with Part 2 of our uplifting interview with Creator & Director Cinzia Angelini and Producer Andrea Emmes, all about their high-quality 3D short Mila, raising awareness about children impacted by war.
Last time in Part 1, we talked about 'Mila's real-life origins, drawn from the childhood experience of Cinzia's mother during WWII. We also covered the realities of running a professional studio on donations, an Indiegogo campaign, and a GIANT team of international volunteers, whilst also cultivating a fulfilling work environment for those volunteers.
Cinzia and Andrea have such great drive and courage, enabling them to make a real impact for such a poignant issue. With these two at the helm, 'Mila' looks like she'll have a very bright future ahead of her.
Today in Part 2, Cinzia and Andrea share...
___ Tips for finding projects like 'Mila' to work on, regardless of your location
___ Why you should choose a story that's significant to you for your own animated project
___ Technical advantages of scripts vs. storyboards, and how to best balance the two during production
___ Why #letschoosehope and #letsmakeadifference are 'Mila's calling card
___ Tips for telling a serious story with sensitivity and focus
___ And, of course: The one most vital thing a DIY animator needs
Listen to DIYA Episode 19:
Use the player at the top of the post, or listen using the links below:
Download the mp3 | Soundcloud | Spotify | iTunes
And you can follow us on your fave social platform here
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Don’t forget to subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode!
Links
Mila: Official Site | IMDB | Instagram| Twitter | Facebook | #letsmakeadifference | #letschoosehope
'Mila Moment' Text Game
'Top 10 Coolest Mobile Games at GDC 2019' CNET Article
Cinzia Angelini: Website | IMDB | Twitter
Andrea Emmes: Twitter | Instagram
That's a Wrap!
Thank you for tuning in to Season 3 of The DIY Animation Show! We are now entering our Season Break, which we'll kick off next month on Wednesday May 15th with more info on our upcoming trip to Denver Pop Culture Con!
Special Season Break content will update regularly on the blog as we gear up for Season 4 of our regular interviews, which will commence Wednesday August 21st, 2019.
In the meantime, stay classy, have fun, and see you in the Season Break!
Making an Impact - 'Mila' Creator Cinzia Angelini and Producer Andrea Emmes (Part 1) :: DIYA #18
Welcome back to another episode of The DIY Animation Show! We're here with Writer, Director, and Creator Cinzia Angelini and Producer Andrea Emmes to discuss Mila, an incredible 3D short film raising awareness about children impacted by war.
Cinzia has a personal connection with this short film - 'Mila' is based on her mother's own childhood experience of bombing raids in her hometown during World War II. With Andrea Emmes on board as 'Mila''s producer, these two have become an unstoppable team that has grown to a world-wide production.
'Mila' is a 350-volunteer, 35-country spanning, high-quality CG short film, which has thrived since 2011 with no studio backing and just a modest funding campaign to cover the film's bare essentials. A community of volunteers, a few sponsors, many hours, and a whole lot of love made 'Mila' possible.
Today, Cinzia and Andrea tell us about...
___ The story of 'Mila''s real-life origins
___ Running a professional studio on volunteers, donations, and an Indiegogo campaign
___ Managing a GIANT team spread across the whole planet
___ The best places to spend what money you do have once you've raised it
___ And how to create a healthy working environment for your volunteers through paying it forward
* A quick note - we also have a few announcements for DIYA, which you'll find at the bottom of this blog post. Be sure to check them out after the interview!
Listen to DIYA Episode 14:
Use the player at the top of the post, or listen using the links below:
Download the mp3 | Soundcloud | Spotify | iTunes
And you can follow us on your fave social platform here
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Don’t forget to subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode!
Links
Mila: Official Site | IMDB | Donate | Instagram| Twitter | Facebook
Cinzia Angelini: Website | IMDB | Twitter
Andrea Emmes: Twitter | Instagram
DIYA: Spotify | Ko-Fi
Denver Pop Culture Con
Announcements
1) We have a Spotify!
We're totes one of the hip cool kids now! Just open Spotify, search 'The DIY Animation Show' (or click here), and hit 'follow' to get every past and future episode!
2) We have a Ko-Fi!
Have you been wanting to support The DIY Animation Show in addition to likes and shares for a while now, but you just haven't known how to? Then you're in luck, because we have a brand-new Ko-Fi page exactly for that!
'Ko-Fi' works on the concept of treating your favorite people to a cup of coffee, only now it's virtual. When you donate through Ko-Fi, you give the equivalent of the price of a nice cup of coffee towards the Show!
To support DIYA, you can donate here, click the Donate button at the top of our website, or find the Ko-Fi link on our social media channels.
We're a fully indie production, and we LOVE creating DIYA and bringing you the best doses of inspiration and encouragement. All proceeds will directly fund the Show's creation and running, providing us with more means to create, experiment, and ultimately produce more quality content for you. <3
Whether you are able to donate or not, we thank you - from the bottom of our hearts - for all your support. You are incredible!
3) We're going to Denver Pop Culture Con!
Formerly titled Denver Comic Con, Denver Pop Culture Con runs from Friday May 31st through Sunday June 2nd.
We'll have more info nearer convention time (like table number, etc.). If you'll be there, please come by and say hi! We have high fives and DIY geek outs waiting for you.
Next Time
In Part 2 of Cinzia and Andrea's interview, we cover...
___ How to find projects like 'Mila' to work on
___ Why you should pick a story that's important to you for your own animated project
___ The importance of showcasing hope through storytelling
___ The one most vital thing a DIY animator needs
Part 2 will be out Wednesday April 17th - here on the blog, on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, all our social channels, and even Ko-Fi, where you can also support the show!
