Design, like animation, is a discipline that people devote their entire careers to, but it has never been a strong skill set for me. Color and composition are further considerations important to good backgrounds and I'm so glad to be able to work digitally doing much trial and error but not burning through materials and supplies as I grope along.
Making my personal films show how indebted I am to others who went before me and also why the studio system works the way it does. The burden of all those specialized skills suddenly left to me reveals great weaknesses and areas of insecurity, but it's also an opportunity to explore and grow.
As I make this particular film I'm seeing the influences of individual pioneers such as John and Faith Hubley whose playful loose style still feels fresh, fun and exciting to me. Like UPA breaking the push toward realism that Disney was doing at the time, I see my film as a departure from the photo-real look of modern C.G. although it too is getting freer in style and more cartoony.
It wasn't intentional but I seem to be reliving my childhood and rediscovering my love of animation and the fun and wonder of it.
