i'm also going to take this opportunity to shill my ko-fi again real quick! my birthday's coming up on the 15th, and if you like the stuff i make and wanted to throw a couple of bucks in the e-tip jar, there you go!

#industryQs How do you feel about the current state of animation, in the wake of the HBO/Discovery merger? -Kohai

I figured this question would come my way sooner or later. Before I get into my thoughts/feelings, I want to make it clear that everything I write in this post are my feelings alone and are not of the reflection of the whole industry. Nor are my opinions on the matter the exact same perspectives my friends and peers who work alongside me in the animation space (specifically those working for big name companies like HBO/Discovery). With that out of the way, I guess it's time to delve a bit on my thoughts on the whole situation. I will include questions from a different anon who asked a similar question just to cover everything in one post. Opinions on the mess that is HBO/Warner bros decisions to axe a lot of beloved animated content?

I'll be honest. It sucks. It really fucking sucks and my heart goes out to everyone who not just only worked on these productions but also fans, animation hopefuls, emerging artists and more who loved these productions. People who were inspired by these productions to keep creating (whether for a big company, streaming platform, or independently). It's heartless to take away something loved by many. It's complete disrespect to disregard the hard work of people who carried the entertainment industry for 2 years (en-counting) when a pandemic made it dangerous for our live-action counterparts to do their jobs. This isn't anything necessarily new since animation in America has always been seen lesser than or not as valuable. But this particular time around it stings so much 'cause we've been working non stop to give products to corporations with the backdrop of a pandemic and still our work, our time, our efforts, our love for the craft are seen as expendable, replaceable and undervalued. I understand that my emotions are heavily leading this portion of the answer so I apologize if it comes off as emotional or over-reactionary. But I guess I can't hide my feelings for something I've been so passionate about for many years since childhood. I know there is a lot of...we'll call it comments about these cuts are for tax-write offs similar to Batgirl and Scoob. To be honest, I don't know if thats true. I don't think we'll know until the company publicly shares that information. But even then, I still don't think it's worth burning bridges with creatives for a short term fix. This is more than just creatives and production peeps who work on these productions on the American side of the pipeline. There's also overseas studios who were contracted to work on these productions (and may I remind that they aren't getting the union wages and benefits like us in the States) who just lost work that might have been their main source of income for their employees. Those companies aren't as big as Nick, CN, Disney and rely on contracts with American studios to keep their business afloat, to keep people and families in financial stability. It's just...a lack of empathy and the out-of-touchness with people who aren't million/billionaires that makes this stuff feel so heart wrenching. These are people's lives who are being burned at the end of the day. Is it really worth destroying all those years of relationships (both with creatives and consumers) and legacy of culture/art? I don't know. I'm not a millionaire/billionaire so I can't begin to imagine where they are coming from. But from my perspective as an animation worker, it's out right heartless and hurtful. How is everyone in the industry reacting?

I cannot, and will not, speak for others in the industry. But even then, I think the general consensus is pretty clear if you follow any animation professionals on social media (along with animation fans on platforms like Youtube and such). I feel upset about what has been happening in the animation industry (way before the HBO/Discovery situation). I love my job, love the craft, and want to share these amazing worlds and new stories with you all. But I will admit sometimes it does feel a bit stifling that these big companies don't value us and aren't willing to trust not just us but the audience to discover something new and invest in that. And with that I go into the last question-- How do you feel about the current state of animation, in the wake of the HBO/Discovery merger?

Contrary to what people might think about me, I'm actually a very cynical and pessimistic person. Strange I know but it's true haha. But over the years (and many therapy sessions), I've learned how to take my natural negative outlook on life and view it from a different perspective to stop me from spiraling. The best way I can describe into words is just....sometimes things gotta get worse in order to get better. By no means am I telling you all reading this is the ultimate way of perceiving the HBO/Discovery situation and current state of American animation. For me, and only me, this thought is what keeps me from spiraling and helps me channel all the anger, hurt, frustration, and all those emotions into something more productive. Does it sucks that this is happening? Of course. And people who affected by this (either you were employed on these productions or fans) are allowed to feel and process those emotions. I cannot stop you from expressing how you feel and won't stop you. Emotions are natural after all. But the way I see it (as of writing this post), I believe this will breed a new wave of creatives that might break off from the traditional method of creating animated media (or any media in general). Animation is a team effort. Art is created by people, not companies or brands. Sure the companies can fund said art but the ones who make it, conceptualize it, breathe life into it, that is done by artists (and yes I'm including people who work in production roles 'cause we wouldn't get anything done without them). I've already seen and heard fellow friends and peers who have started to form art collective groups so they can bring their talents together to make the stories studios would never touch with a 100 foot pole. Hell, I've been in one for over 6 months now with a small group of industry friends and we're about to release our first project next month. And we just had a meeting last week about future projects we want to do and schedule brainstorm sessions. So as discouraging and bleak it looks right now, we haven't given up hope and nor should anyone who aspires to work in animation. At the end of the day, what makes your favorites shows, games, movies, etc aren't the CEOs or execs of HBO/Discovery, Netflix or whatever. It's the artists, the productions artists, the voice actors, the riggers, the modelers, the editors, the writers, the designers, the composers, the assistants, the directors, and many more who pour their time, effort and love to make the media you love. So if anything, give your support to them in any way you can. And I know this post talks mostly about the industry in terms of big name studios but the same amount of love and support should also go to independent studios, collectives and projects. Animation is hard and expensive, but if you wanna keep watching cool new stories and familiar old ones, show your support and give your love to them. Well this was a very long post...and I don't even think I fully expelled all my thoughts on the matter haha. But I hope this post doesn't discourage anybody about the current state of animation in America. We're still here and working hard to make it better for the next person and really the next generations of artists. This is more or less a slightly unfiltered response to what has happened in 2022 so far in animation. But I'm not gonna let it stop me doing from what I love. It may be pretty bad right now and I don't know how long the bad will last after what happened yesterday...but once the worst has happened it could mean the good is on the horizon.