Behind The Pixel: Closing The Animation Communication Gap

What are we up to? Where have you been in the last two weeks? Will and Kathryn hint at what's been up, what they're doing, and why you haven't heard from them. Also, Will is testing some new A-eye technology. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it anonymously here: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: https://www.openpi...

The team welcomes Joel Pilger from RevThink to chat about running a creative business, unpacking the roles of the people who make the work happen, and giving advice on building trust with your creative partners. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: https://www.openpixelstudios....

The team chats with Janice (Miller) Greenberg and Anne (Reichert) Guthrie of The Inform Group to break down how they go about creating concise language for very technical videos, how they use animation for increasingly technical and complex subjects, and how pen and paper is still their preferred method for revising scripts. The Inform Group works with companies from small start-ups to divisions o...

In this hack episode, Will and Kathryn go scriptless, and walk through the post-mortem process to give a few tips on how Open Pixel runs through Post-Mortems on different project sizes they complete. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it anonymously here: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: https://www.openpixelstudio...

Where did we go!? You may have noticed we haven't been around, and that's because we were on vacation in Colorado for two weeks and attending our first-ever Camp Mograph! What is Camp MoGraph? Listen and find out. If you want to learn even more about Camp MoGraph, click here . If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ L...

Open Pixel Studios chats with Samantha Hamilton, Director of Coalition Building & Community Engagement at The Public Health Institute of Western Mass (PHIWMA), to chat about their organization and how they utilized the medium of animation to inform their stakeholders, engage their communities, and get their energy initiative to next level with the city of Springfield, MA. Join us for this hype...

Will and Kathryn reunite with Pixar alumni, writer, director, and life-long mentor Chris Perry to discuss his approach to writing, how we can improve production workflows, and where the next wave of technology will take storytelling. Also, stick around to hear a great story pitch for the next big blockbuster hit. Check out the short films we mention in the episode from Chris Perry here: http://www...

Kathryn and Will talk about their plans for 2024! Listen in to learn about what they are up to and how the podcast will be affected. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it anonymously here: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixel ⁠⁠EMedia⁠⁠ produces the podcast in Easthampton...

In this episode, Kathryn and Will sail through the Storyboard stage. They discuss what storyboards are, how to give feedback on them, uncover common client-and-creative-side problems and work on their pirate impressions. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: https://www.openpix...

In this hack episode, Will challenges us to think about ChatGPT a little differently and provides a few tips to use it as a production tool. And more importantly, reiterates the idea of hiring a writer to punch up your scripts. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it anonymously here: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠:...

In this episode, Kathryn and Will walk us through the Concept stage. They discuss the concept of a concept, how to better prepare for reviewing them, uncover common client and creative-side problems, talk about their favorite podcasts, and embrace their mediocrity. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it anonymously here: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠...

In this bonus episode, Will and Kathryn are transported to another podcast hosted by Alex Salsberg. I Loved This Conversation is a podcast that explores conversations with creative people about what they’re currently going through in their creative lives. If you're wondering what other creative people are going through today, you should check it out. We highly recommend it. Available on Apple Podc...

Kathryn decided to record an announcement because she didn't get enough birthday wishes. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it anonymously here: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixel ⁠⁠EMedia⁠⁠ produces the podcast in Easthampton, MA.  Produced by Jackson Foote and Will Co...

Will and Kathryn sit down with Alex Terrill to discuss what clients should know about video production, what to keep in mind for their budgets, things to avoid in future live-action productions, and what a shark week shoot is like. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: h...

In this hack episode, Will and Kathryn describe what an animatic is and when to use one and provide a few questions to ask yourself when reviewing an animatic as a production tool. And, more importantly, discuss cool slang that we know everyone uses. The term "animatic" was initially coined by Walt Disney Animation Studios (according to Wikipedia, so... who knows, really). An animatic typically co...

Will describes three ways to better prepare for writing your script. Whether you’re writing it independently, working with a team, or bouncing ideas off ChatGPTs face. We got you covered with some pro tips. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: https://www.openpixelstudi...

Kathryn and Will break down the first production step in their workflow: The AV Script. They’ll share helpful tips when scriptwriting for animation projects, talk about how to structure the writing once you have a draft, go through an exercise in coming up with visuals, and even act out some of the scripts of their favorite bad movie, The Room. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cove...

Kathryn, our resident Character Animator, describes three ways to save time and money if you're price-sensitive but want to utilize animated characters for your project.  If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this podcast here⁠⁠: https://www.openpixelstudios.com/behindthepixel ⁠⁠EMedia⁠⁠ produces th...

Kathryn and Will discuss character animation, the production workflow for characters, and how specific changes to characters can impact production costs. They'll investigate essential changes that impact your bottom line and discuss their love of boy bands. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this...

Kathryn and Will go spelunking with Gabe Munitz-Alessio and Pedro Brehm inside Cave 76 Productions. They explore what brands can do to communicate with creative teams effectively, what makes a good creative partnership, and describe what it's like working as executive producers with some of the largest brands. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to: www.openp...

Kathryn and Will take a break from the show's standard format to talk openly about many different topics, including Artificial Intelligence, Project Management, Animation Approaches, and navigating the Puerto Rican American experience. Spoiler alert, it's an identity crisis. Also, our producer, Jackson Foote, asks what else Will and Kathryn want to do with their lives. If you have a topic or quest...

Tim Bradley, Nicole Bedard, and Joe Skoniecki, the great folks at Gusto (A Matter Company), sit and talk shop with Kathryn and Will. They discuss their process, advise on what pitfalls to avoid, and share their thoughts on the future of marketing content. If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, ⁠you can submit it to: www.openpixelstudios.com/podquestion⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Learn more about this p...

Will and Kathryn paddle along with Safety Education & Instruction Director Kelsey Bracewell at the American Canoe Association to discuss how their non-profit organization is reaching their members in new ways with the medium of animation. Kelsey has done a fantastic job reaching new audiences and bringing new educational content to people of all shapes and sizes. We're thrilled to be a part of...

Will and Kathryn ride with Myke Connolly, CEO/Founder at Stand Out Truck®, to discuss his thoughts on marketing strategies, how the medium of animation can be best utilized, the fears clients may experience when trying something new, and why animation is an attention weapon. Find out more about the Stand Out Truck® at www.standouttruck.com Join Myke's text line by texting MAC to (413) 251-6762 . I...

Kathryn was honored to be invited as a guest speaker to the Vermont Animation Festival hosted by Northern Vermont University in partnership with Catamount Arts. She discusses several topics about The Animation Industry in Northern New England. The Vermont Animation Festival is proud to celebrate its eighth year and kicked off this year with screenings, workshops, and artist talks on Friday, March...