How to Write for Animation [Hardcover]

Jeffrey Scott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2002

The world of animation has expanded far beyond the children's fare generations of Americans have grown up watching. Hit television series like South Park, The Simpsons, and King of the Hill have blurred the boundary between sitcom and cartoon and have aimed straight for adult audiences with a powerful admixture of social commentary and outright hilarity.

In movie theaters, with films like Toy Story and Shrek, digital technology has enabled animators to produce films both of stunningly realistic quality and the imagination and fantasy that the genre has always supplied. In the meantime, with recent hits like Tarzan and the forthcoming Atlantis: The Lost Empire, classic animation has never been more popular. It all adds up to an expanding market for writers who have an eye toward the future and an eagerness to work in a medium where the only limit is the depth of their imagination.

With step-by-step instructions, award-winning animation writer Jeffrey Scott details every stop on the road from inspiration to production, with sections on premises, outlines, storyboards, treatments, description, and dialogue, and much more:

* The job market and salaries for animation writing
* Writing animation for the internet
* Creating an animated TV series
* How to rewrite and polish scripts
* How to get hired to write for your favorite animated TV show.

With the insights of a seasoned veteran he also gives foolproof advice on how to sell the finished product-breaking in, getting an agent, negotiating the treacherous Hollywood pitch meeting. How to Write for Animation is the ultimate guide for anyone with ambitions of writing for the most rapidly developing medium in all of entertainment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Writers! Add Jeffrey Scott's [book] to your required reading list. -- Stan Lee, Chairman Emeritus, Marvel Comics

A legacy to the world of animation writing that is unmatched and unparalleled.... Now memorialized in this excellent book. -- Peter Roth, President, Warner Bros. Television

Jeffrey Scott has written the definitive sourcebook for anyone interested in the world of animation and script writing. -- Nancy Kanter, VP Programming, Disney Channel

Jeffrey Scott is terrific at teaching others what he's mastered himself. -- Jeffrey Katzenberg, Dreamworks SKG

About the Author

Jeffrey Scott is one of animation's most acclaimed writers. He has written over six hundred animated television scripts for such series as: Superfriends, Jim Henson's Muppet Babies, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, among others. His work has been recognized with three Emmy Awards and a Humanitas Prize. The grandson of the Three Stooges' Moe Howard, Jeffrey Scott is also the manager of worldwide rights to the Three Stooges.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover; 1 edition (June 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585672408
• ISBN-13: 978-1585672400
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,086,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to Write for Animation, August 1, 2002

By 

Carole Mendelsohn (Palm Springs, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Write for Animation (Hardcover)

This is a must-read for ALL script writers, not just toonsters. Scott takes you through the process of creating a story like a master-builder. He writes clearly, simply and with enthusiasm. His love and respect for his craft is obvious, making this a very inspiring and enjoyable read, as well as a valuable and informative one. Scott's technical tips are terrific and easy to apply. Why didn't I think of cutting and pasting an outline into a script template? Overall, I found this book to be as entertaining as it was informative and practical. The glossary alone is worth the price of the book. I've been writing animation for 10 years and can't wait to break my next story using some of his tricks. I just wish Jeffrey had written it ten years ago.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Book, the ONLY Book I Needed!, January 23, 2003

By 

Laura Owens (Louisville, KY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Write for Animation (Hardcover)

Jeffrey Scott's new book, "How to Write for Animation," was exactly what I needed! Three months after registering with an online freelance agency, I got an e-mail inviting me to bid on a project. There weren't many details on the listing, but it involved writing and that's a field I want to get into.

I got hired and suddenly became the lead writer for a new, 3D computer graphics TV Series. Having little experience with creative writing, but extensive editing skills ... I knew I needed help!

After wallowing in uncertainty and formatic confusion, I went to the local bookstore looking for a book on screenwriting suggested by another writer on the project. The book wasn't there. But I found "How to Write for Animation" and it was EXACTLY what I needed! (The bookstore guy that rung me up said, "OH GREAT book! That just came in and I HAD to read it.")

Not only do I know how to appear as if I'm an old pro, I've got step by step instructions on everything I need to help pitch this series :) Way Kewl!

I was told to write a "Bible" ... eeek! "Didn't someone already do that?" I asked. Thanks Jeffrey! Now I know exactly what I need to include in our presentation, our bible, how much to include since we are new writers, ... EVERYTHING! And it is presented in an EASY format for busy people.

GREAT BOOK! WONDERFUL RESOURCE! It should be on every animation writers shelf!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, October 5, 2005

By 

Kassandra (Oak View, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Write for Animation (Hardcover)

I'm a boring lawyer who had an idea for a cartoon series swimming around in her head. I found this book, followed it to the letter, developed the idea, pitched it, and now have a major animation production company who has purchased an option for the show. Mr. Scott even took the time to respond to an e-mail I sent with a question. This is a great and simple to understand resource for anyone with the ideas and gumption to go for it. Thanks Mr. Scott!