Independent animation can also be understood as artistic animation. It is often completed by an individual or a very small team, with a wide range of topics, prominent author personality, and modern consciousness in artistic conception. Independent animator is a profession that is becoming more and more widely recognized in today’s era. There is a high degree of freedom in their working hours and creative methods, and they are usually responsible for multiple links in the creative process. I have a high interest in the profession of independent animator. This blog will explore the opportunities and challenges faced by independent animators in the context of the current era.

With the development of human science and technology, we are gradually living in a new media era mainly based on new digital and network technologies. The Internet, mobile phones, and mobile TV have made communication more precise and object-oriented. Social media and streaming platforms have made digital communication widespread. In this era, the channels for the dissemination of animation have become more extensive. More and more independent animators choose to update their works on social platforms such as Tiktok, Youtube, and Ins to gain fans and subscriptions. This dissemination channel is convenient and fast, with a wide range of dissemination and almost zero cost, which largely solves the sharing problem of independent animation. The animated short film PsychoCuties produced by Russian author Tamakuz toons has recently gained wide popularity on the Internet because of its attractive character design and painting style, as well as smooth storyboards, which are loved by animation enthusiasts all over the world.

The development of online social platforms has lowered the threshold for publishing works, allowing independent animators to directly reach the audience. Social media interactions and the establishment of fan communities have brought more creative feedback and motivation to independent animators. However, it should be noted that since the operation of social platforms is highly dependent on platform popularity, animators may fall into an “algorithm trap” and find it difficult to focus on long-term creation.

With the opportunities of the new era, independent animators also face many challenges. First, the animation production process is complex and the time cycle is long. Independent animators need to take into account multiple processes such as directing, design, and animation, which often leads to a heavy workload and increased psychological pressure. Secondly, the fast pace of social networking platforms and the diverse needs of the audience may limit the in-depth expression of animators. Finally, there are realistic factors. Most independent animators create based on personal interests and hobbies, so they may face the problem of insufficient funds in terms of economy. Forced by the fast-paced and high-consumption life of the contemporary world, some independent animators have to switch to other jobs or choose long-term crowdfunding to complete their animation works. In the video “The truth about being an animator”, the online animator Chipflake mentioned that many times it takes three months of rent for a work.

In general, in the context of the new media era, independent animators still have great development prospects. In this era dominated by short videos, many independent animators are more likely to gain exposure, thereby gaining more opportunities for cooperation and self-improvement. However, since independent animators need to bear more work and financial pressure, it has become more difficult to work as an independent animator full-time.
In my future career planning, I may choose independent animator as a side job, try to make my own independent animations in my spare time, and publish them as a web animator. Finally, I would like to quote independent animator Koji Yamamura in an interview: “…I think animation is a way of expression, simple and sincere, and this is what attracts me.”

Reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVZCFyVmY0o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06tkx5uvbJ0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEE8rlXMqSk

Mingyu Deng

24/11/2024