I think there’s a misunderstanding about creative freedom when making show. The main issue creators seem to have is being restricted by the companies they work for. Whether it be diverse representation, less “relatable” storylines, “inappropriate” content or jokes, or simply because the higher ups dislike something, show runners often don’t get to tell the story they want to tell without having to make sacrifices to please corporate overlords.
However, having true creative freedom does not necessarily mean having the creator be the sole writer. In fact, having only one writer can often be detrimental to the quality of the show.
See, the censorship show runners fear and despise comes from money-hungry business people who have no clue what they’re talking about and yet always get the final say—executives.
To try and combat this, Glitch Productions went in the complete opposite direction. While their goal is incredibly admirable and commendable, there is a flaw in their approach.
Working with other writers does not mean losing creative freedom. Having other people to bounce ideas off of and give feedback and suggestions allows for creators to explore different perspectives and come up with ideas they wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. It provides an escape from the echo chamber of their own mind, inspires them to create the best show possible, and allows them to improve their writing and storytelling.
While creators can still have the final say, employing multiple writers is an important strategy for bettering a show and the skills of its creator. I hope the the indie animation sphere uses the Amazing Digital Circus finale as a teaching moment rather than simply a failure.
