Right then…. i suppose it is time to come out with it.
Robby has explained the comics side... but we are still polar opposites. My side.... aka. Entertainment (Radio / voice / acting / screenwriting) is a booming and thriving world.
But just as Robby said.... it takes a lot of hard work. A LOT!!!!
Most people, and you have heard these stories who see a movie on T.V. or a cartoon and say... oh i could do this it's easy.. I'll slip on a banana get payed millions and date Emma Stone. Newsflash.. you wont.
I will just focus on a few points.
1. You must love what you do. You must be inspired and dedicated to take this path.
Now let me explain.
You need to reach a point when you can not even daydream of doing anything else for the rest of your life.
I get ridiculed every day writing an adult themed cartoon.. in the middle of Africa, where cartoons are never done!! EVER!! We don't have "arabic cartoons" but i can't find myself doing anything else.
I get ridiculed when i make a show on YouTube weekly that gets in 80 viewers. But i still do it every week. For the last 3 months.
I have directors who hate my work.... usually it is something stupid like "not enough color". (side point, this is an ego filled business. You need rock solid skin, the first few times will depress you and will get depression hits when you say "why do i put in so much effort when my chances of getting a show are astronomical. Why would they pick a 19 year olds cartoon who lives in Libya for CC or Fox or Adult Swim)
On the other hand I study medicine every single day. I hate it everyday. That classroom and my entry into it reminds me that this is my only other option if i -godforbid- ever fail in entertainment.
That is my motivation. I do not want to become my Dad and Mom. You need something that strong to push you now and forever.
2. PRACTICE!!!! PRACTICE!!!!! AND RESEARCH!!!!
You are never good enough, the first time script is never perfect. Take a week off and look at it again.
3. MAKE WORK!! Don't just talk about it, but make work.. if it's bad it's bad. My first few videos were awful. But it is a starting point. You see your own rise in skill. Same thing when i first started writing for the radio show.
4. CONNECTIONS!! You need to be able to make connections.
While i am here in Libya, i have made connections with most of the filmmakers who came from America so i can have them as connections... From Matthew Millan to Matthew VanDyke. (who is now in Syria. One of the bravest men i know)
I connected with the media departments here, and i can now go to them when i need their help.
5. ENTER COMPETITIONS!!!
I would not be where i am today.... "which still isn't that good" if i did not enter that FMC competition. I would have been happy just being there but placing 3rd is just icing on the cake. I made so many connections there with outside and inside sources.
" I'm friends with animators such as Steve (great character design) and Hans (great ideas and can animate) form this forums. I hope they will help me when i go to Cali this summer"
6. GO TO SEMINARS!!
Learn and more important communicate.
7. DON'T FEAR HELP!!
When i was stuck coming up with a few character traits for my cartoon. (they were leaning too close to American Dad) I asked help from 4chan /co/ talked with them all day. Some of the most knowledgeable people i have ever met when it comes to cartoons. The day with them pushed my project straight forward.
8. CHALLENGE YOURSELF!!
I don't mean quanitity wise, but quality wise.
For instance: I have decided that if i can't make a proper abridged series, (Doesn't have to be successful) but one that will bring out the laughs. Then i can hope for my cartoon.
As for writing i am challenged from work. A comedy piece that lasts 7-10 minutes every week is difficult. More so because it is PG
I will write some more later. Ask questions if you want