Project: concept development, premises, scripts, visual development, art direction, character design, motion graphics, animation

Description: Timbuktoons helped develop a series concept of fun animated “how-to” videos to help encourage, inspire and train officials on new reporting procedures for helping former military in their educational endeavors.

Awards: 2011 Addy (Gold)

Client, Project: Catholic Stewardship Consultants, Inc., concept development, premise, script, visual development, art direction, character design, animation

Description: CSC’s consulting services help parishes encourage stewardship in their communities. Theywanted a way to encourage those virtues in children too since giving back your time, talent and treasure is not an “adults only” message. Timbuktoons was asked to develop a show concept that could be used to entertain and educate children about stewardship as a way of life. We of course said…wait for it…robots!

Stewart Ship is a bored tween that questions the purpose of just about everything. That is, until he receives a mysterious gift that opens his eyes to making a difference in the world by sharing his God-given time, talent, and treasure with others.

1. Know Thy Script.
At Timbuktoons we typically write our own and our client’s animation scripts, so we’re familiar with the concept and characters. In cases when we’ve hired a writer we still developed the concept, characters, tone, and story beats before pulling them onto the project.

This helps greatly when it’s time to direct voice actors during a recording session. You need to know the characters and the story well if you want to give the actors/actresses good direction.

2. Don’t Be Shy. Direct!
Don’t assume the actors have the same vision or understanding of the characters that you do because they don’t. You hired them to act, not self-direct. Several years ago I learned a valuable lesson when I hired a fairly experienced stage actor to voice a few characters.

I gave him a one line description of a character, handed him the script, then let the sound tech start recording. I didn’t like the takes but didn’t want to say anything out of respect for the actor’s experience.

After several lack luster takes he said, “You’re the director!…Direct!” I learned a valuable lesson that day. Actors act. We direct. Give them what they need to do their best work. They feed off the direction you give and they understand that it’s your vision that they’re working on. Have confidence in your idea and direct with no inhibitions.

3. Go Deep
Explain the emotions the character is feeling. Describe what led up to this line…what this line is setting up…etc. Pick an analogy or relatable story to help put the voice actor in the characters head.

Refer to character types, or even specific famous characters. Use expressive words to describe the character. Show them the character designs. Your job is to make them that character.

4. Think Through the Logistics
Send beforehand all of your forms, intructions, directions to the studio, script, etc. to prep them. Put yourself in the actors shoes and think through what they need to know and make it a smooth ride for them so they can focus on acting.

5. Don’t Forget to Record the Incidentals
Even if you don’t think you need it, go ahead and record a few laughs, giggles, grunts, breathing,…and maybe even a burp or two. Do it while you have the talent there. Once your project is in post, you’ll be glad you did!

6. Do Several Takes
Even if they nail it on the first take. It’s always better to have too much than not enough. While trimming wood for house projects, my Dad used to say, “I cut it 3 times and it’s still too short!” So, make sure you have more wood than you think you need!

7. Calm Their Nerves
Climbing into the booth to record your lines in front of the director, sound tech and other actors, can make even a seasoned actor a bit uncomfortable. Joke with them. Have them take a deep breath or two when they need it. Have some bottled water on hand incase their throats get dry.

Frame your corrective direction in an encouraging and disarming way. The more relaxed they are, the more you’ll get a fluid and natural voice session from them.

8. Go With Your Gut
Don’t analyze too much. Pay attention to the nuances of each line and go with your gut. If something doesn’t feel just right, think about it for a second and give some direction, or have them do a couple more takes.

9. Invite Happy Accidents
Leave room for the actor’s interpretation. Cast your vision and have them record specific takes but allow them to run with it. You might be surprised what happy accidents occur. Animation is a collaborative art form from start to finish so invite creativity at each phase of the process.

10. Have Fun!
Last but not least, you must have fun at a recording session. No one likes a stuffy, boring session. If you and the actors are having fun it will come out in the dialog! Don’t forget why you first became interested in animation, because you loved it and it was fun!

Employ that concept in your career or education. Don’t shrink back and just do what you need to do to make ends meet. Spend every ounce of extra time and energy “buying low” by staying active and aggressive. Be on offense and keep a positive attitude. Look for new opportunities provided by the down economy. Find out if studios and producers are looking for new ways to do business. Think about your skill set and how you can fill a unique niche.

Last summer we had almost no work because of the economy so we cut whatever costs we could and spent the summer developing a show concept. We pitched to several studios several months later. The show hasn’t found a home yet but it opened up many new connections and the seeds of new opportunity.

So, “buy low” and keep the long view. I try not to look at the immediate, but at how the relationships and skills we’re building today will prove beneficial 3-5 years from now.

[This is concept art and character descriptions taken from Guardian High, our latest show concept. Guardian High is an action comedy for tweens, 26x22 minutes.]

WILLIAM NICOLAS BLAYDE
“Never be idle Chase, we are like vapor and we know not how long we have in our endeavors. Lost time does not return.”

Blayde, 17, is a squire from Northern Wales, 1429. He is a tall and well-built redhead with a deep respect for the code of chivalry. He exudes nobility in his words and deeds despite his lack of knight status and coming from “no great birth.”

Blayde values and defends loyalty, courage and honor as a typical gentleman soldier. His strong faith in these qualities, even when it doesn’t make sense, can rub those around him the wrong way making him come across as self righteous. Unfortunately, Blayde’s view of the world can be too small which often leads to a limited view of himself.

[This is concept art and character descriptions taken from Guardian High, our latest show concept. Guardian High is an action comedy for tweens, 26x22 minutes.]

CONSTANCE J. GREENE
“Given the right amount of time, one’s imaginations and earnest efforts can establish a bright hope for the morrow. But Chase Lewis if you pay no attention to the present, you will suffer a dull life indeed…in more ways than one!

Constance, 16, is from Baltimore, Maryland, 1906. “CJ” is kind, energetic and the cheerful optimist of the bunch. But don’t mistake her optimism for naiveté; Constance is very intelligent and outspoken. She is tactful with her wit…and her left hook!

Her upper body strength is just as powerful as her mind, and she easily slips into her tomboy personality. Despite being extremely beautiful, she lacks confidence in her femininity and struggles with behaving “appropriately.” Being caught between two very different times doesn’t make matters any easier!

Constance is fascinated with the biological and physical sciences and that is especially evident in her thoughtful approach to problem solving. She is also very concerned with the health and well being of the team, sometimes to a fault.

[This is concept art and character descriptions taken from Guardian High, our latest show concept. Guardian High is an action comedy for tweens, 26x22 minutes.]

KAIA CHIYOKO
(sarcastically) “Chase, this wouldn’t be a problem for you in my future. Progress has left us with plenty of time to focus on what matters most to us. Whatever that is.”

Kaia, 18, is from Kyoto, Japan, 2079. She has dark hair, green eyes and a sleek physique. She is extremely agile and a gifted gymnast…a skill that comes in handy when stealth is required. Her unique blend of martial arts and aggressive style makes her the tip of the spear on missions.

Kaia has great confidence in the progress of science and relies heavily on technology but lacks confidence in her own intellectual abilities. This is especially true in cultural and historical perspectives.

She is stoic and sometimes unexpressive which can easily be misinterpreted as aloof and relationally detached…although relationships are definitely not a strength. Her touch of future snobbery doesn’t help in that department either!