Animation Writing and Development

Chapter 14

The Script

The Animation Writer as Visual Director

Writing an animation script is somewhat like directing a film. But there are some differences! Even in the era of big-budget contract players, Coyote and Roadrunner never once phoned in sick until their contract was renegotiated. More recent cartoon celebrities, like Marge and Homer Simpson, wouldn’t think of holding up a production schedule while their lawyers fought out a messy divorce in court. Animation writers never need to cater to a stack of drawings!

In a live-action project it’s the director who decides what to film. Then just to be safe he shoots a great deal of extra footage. Later he edits that footage, and much of it ends up on the cutting room floor. There is no need ...