My Time as a Freelance Animator

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  • Опубліковано 29 лип 2023
  • The story of my years spent as a freelance animator and how it eventually made me pivot to horror shorts.
  • Фільми й анімація

КОМЕНТАРІ • 317

  • @waywardmind
    @waywardmind 11 місяців тому +11

    "It's very easy to get stuck in the 'meantime' stuff." Ouch. Made me realize that the last 16 years, for me, have been "meantime stuff".

  • @CebisoMhlanga
    @CebisoMhlanga 11 місяців тому +45

    I always worry that people will think I'm all over the place because I can do A LOT! From music to photography to VFX. Now I'm working on a videogame and it's yet another thing that makes me seem like a headless chicken running all over the place. There's nothing I love more than discovery - and I'll continue to be me. The world can go do itself.

    • @vojtulee1
      @vojtulee1 9 місяців тому +2

      You’re either a genius or not very good in any of these topics

  • @PawelChyrowski
    @PawelChyrowski 11 місяців тому +70

    Thank you for that. Hollywood destroys but you're still you. Respect

  • @TomTennisco
    @TomTennisco 11 місяців тому +5

    Hi David. I'm a nearly 60-year-old still-hopeful filmmaker who has mirrored your youth in filmmaking. I've made many short films on Super 8 and even made one of the first Star Wars fan films and have continued making short films to this day. It's been a long road and to be honest, after all this time, I've begun to lose hope. But with every video I've seen of yours, especially this one, I gain hope. I just want to say thank you for your willingness to share your experience. Wishing you success seems like I'm late to the party, but you deserve it. Take care!

  • @AnotherMovieStudio
    @AnotherMovieStudio 11 місяців тому +97

    David, I swear I am living in a simulation. I just entered my first creative job at my place of work (I’m a multimedia producer at a news station) so I shoot and edit commercials.
    It’s not fun. I’m not the one writing or coming up with ideas, and when I do pitch ideas, I’m always told no because it “won’t work” or because it’s too ambitious.
    Glad to know that you went through the same thing as me. I’ve been wanting to make things by myself again, but finding the time is difficult. Thanks for giving me more confidence from this video!!

    • @ISens6
      @ISens6 11 місяців тому

      At least u got the creative job dude, i got my degree on multimedia production 2 years ago and stuck in an office job forgeting what once motivated me.

    • @heatherplumtree
      @heatherplumtree 11 місяців тому

      its real simulations isn't it? I got a proposal at different job TODAY when I put this video on pause (as a theatre Lighting Technician) but I always wanted to make movies. Done UA-cam videos in 2011-2013, worked in television system integration as a project and service engineer for 9 years and still didn't shot any shorts films =(
      But a month ago I even invested huge ton of money on a new laptop so I can use DaVinci Resolve finally...
      I would not turn down the job but will think how to start my own way. The problem is that im in a bad situation, moved to another country, don't know their language (started to learn it but its incredibly difficult, even alphabet is different and no letter look the same) and I would not return to my old country and anyway there is place no for me in my old country. And still there is no place in a new country either. Got no savings and live from salary to salary.
      But this video was right on time, who would have thought

  • @Numberer1
    @Numberer1 11 місяців тому +25

    Much like many of the other commenters here, it's scary how mirrored our lives are. I'm about ten years into a freelance career with one single genre of video to show for it, but I want to do so, so much more. Thanks for this much needed boost :)

  • @d3cad3nc3
    @d3cad3nc3 11 місяців тому +4

    What a story ! I hope they make a Netflix documentary about you someday.

  • @thefjk
    @thefjk 11 місяців тому +18

    Dude, your story is too relatable. Like 90% of the beats; learning animation from TV, highs and lows, range of skills, a project that used sounds for music, wondering why the fuck schools didn't teach maths this way, charging far too little and thinking your work sucks.
    Thank you for sharing!

  • @pablopraino6545
    @pablopraino6545 11 місяців тому +8

    Is this the Universe speaking to me? I was just going through all of this issues being a freelance animator and talking to friends about this and suddenly this shows up on my timeline? You are heaven sent. Thank you so very much.

  • @seven7hsine
    @seven7hsine 11 місяців тому +3

    I love how the blood fell conveniently directly on the paper plate 😂😂😂❤

  • @JonBowlake
    @JonBowlake 11 місяців тому +21

    SO so so thankful for this video David. I'm one of those who saw your "Vad tyst det blev" back in the day, qouting it among friends, and I have been a fan/follower since then. You spending time on these videos on your channel is one of the things that make you a gem among filmmakers.

  • @AndrewZeletrainStudios
    @AndrewZeletrainStudios 6 місяців тому +1

    Great video and great message! I’m reaching 33 and after 7-8 years of being a vfx artist I’m finally moving forward to making movies again to do what I really want to do. Your messages on being a creative person always helps me!

  • @charlottebreton6796
    @charlottebreton6796 11 місяців тому +29

    I wish to have what you and lotta have one day. It's really cool to hear you were an animator. I used to work in animation as a 3D editor, but switched over to a VFX Editor because I loved it more. Again, I'm really glad to see someone like me getting recognition.

    • @FilmPunk
      @FilmPunk 11 місяців тому

      I make horror 👋🏻😂

  • @LaneCarter
    @LaneCarter 11 місяців тому +9

    David, this video is so incredibly relevant to me. I'm a freelance VFX artist, who only ever got to this point because I felt like VFX was my most marketable skill. Lately I've been thinking a lot about the kinds of shorts I make for UA-cam, and how they don't exactly coincide with what I want to make long term. This is exactly the kind if advice I want to hear right now. Thanks.

  • @VitriolicWithering
    @VitriolicWithering 11 місяців тому +14

    It's always super assuring to watch these videos and learn about the experience of a Director with similar interests to my own. I have ADHD and find it extremely difficult to stay focused on business. I'm quite introverted myself, and don't enjoy the monotony of chasing investors. But it is how it is, and avoiding it is the worst thing an aspiring filmmaker can do. A combination of both creativity, and productivity will prove dividends in the industry I'm sure.

  • @NostalgiNorden
    @NostalgiNorden 11 місяців тому +2

    Love these videos!

  • @DubSte11
    @DubSte11 11 місяців тому +1

    My favourite part of this video was "We decided to make a horror movie, but then we decided it was too cold and went home"... F*ing hilarious, cracked up at that part.

  • @AnimatorHeadSpace
    @AnimatorHeadSpace 11 місяців тому +17

    Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing these videos. I'm an Animator with Directorial ambitions myself. You make this stuff seem so attainable with hard work and dedication.

  • @PeterLindgren1
    @PeterLindgren1 11 місяців тому +1

    oh how i remember this cartoon! Fantastisk resa att följa!

  • @TaramiBedona
    @TaramiBedona 11 місяців тому +1

    My best friend and I regularly use the phrase "...så det bara smäller om det" for emphasis, and the other will always follow up (the way best friends do) with "Du ser att det står pang där". Thanks David!

  • @adrianrale
    @adrianrale 11 місяців тому +4

    "That can happen later when you're directing Marvel movies." The irony, coming from a DC director 😄 Loved this, David! Another reason to never give up and to already start creating what we're really passionate about! Proof of concepts can be quite powerful. Always better to be able to show something tangible rather than just words. All the best to you both and looking forward to more videos and films of yours. Greetings from London

  • @sinchlair
    @sinchlair 11 місяців тому +2

    I'm a musician and I'm currenty working in a weird dark new album, I'm so glad I've found this video because it really makes me feel more optimistic through all the process.
    You're such an inspiration for myself, thank you so much for sharing your advices and knowledge 🖤

  • @BlakeRidder
    @BlakeRidder 11 місяців тому +1

    Great inspirational video David. I’ve been making shorts on my UA-cam channel for years. With over 60 of them. Some gone viral but still not been discovered to your level yet. Just have to keep going.

  • @popcorndreamsmedia
    @popcorndreamsmedia 11 місяців тому +1

    Thanks for that pick me up bro. I have been really doubting my capabilities as a filmmaker with any creative worth. I have written several scripts and just never had the guts to revisit them and create. Watching the world evolve around you whilst you stand still is no fun. I would love to share with you my script Dark Pages sometime. Best regards GR LOPEZ

  • @BanditBrooks
    @BanditBrooks 11 місяців тому +1

    22:00 I love this story that your pitch meeting gave you the idea if I want to do X I need to do X. X being horror for you and X for me = action/comedy.

  • @quippurb
    @quippurb 11 місяців тому

    Amazing as always, thanks for keeping this channel alive.

  • @welchworks
    @welchworks 11 місяців тому +1

    David, some big star of the future is gonna sight one of these videos as their inspiration for achieving success. By the way, I rather like your animation style. The movement, comedic timing, and their immediately recognizable as your work.

  • @LiottaSeoul
    @LiottaSeoul 11 місяців тому

    Thanks for this and every other video you upload!

  • @beeeezusthree
    @beeeezusthree 11 місяців тому +7

    It's always fascinating to see the grind behind and this was no exception. Thanks for putting it out there.

  • @TrunkFilms
    @TrunkFilms 11 місяців тому +1

    love the video and footage to go along with the journey/storyline

  • @radicalempire6599
    @radicalempire6599 11 місяців тому

    I could listen to these stories all day! Thanks for sharing. And some great advice as always.

  • @birdonfiremedia
    @birdonfiremedia 11 місяців тому

    Thank you. Needed this today :)

  • @AnxiousCynic
    @AnxiousCynic 11 місяців тому +1

    So relatable... if you omit all the ingenuity and success parts.

  • @ZedEdge
    @ZedEdge 11 місяців тому +1

    Your down-to-earth levels are over 9000. This was so motivating in such a relatable way. Thank you for sharing it with us.
    And congratulations on your creative, varied and fun journey so far!

  • @UnidentifiedRob
    @UnidentifiedRob 11 місяців тому

    I remember your early animations rather fondly! The voice overs you made especially left a pretty lasting memory.

  • @LeeBailes
    @LeeBailes 11 місяців тому

    Amazing - didn't know about the animation side of things. And thanks for showing how it all joins up / paid off for you in the end

  • @KETANORANA
    @KETANORANA 11 місяців тому

    Much needed video. Thanks for sharing. It's always inspiring to see the journey and gives confidence to step back at times and just simply create what you really want to create.

  • @aalooprod
    @aalooprod 11 місяців тому

    Thank you for making this David!

  • @JayDiazFilms
    @JayDiazFilms 11 місяців тому

    Very inspirational and resonating for sure. Lately I been overthinking my creative process and trying to do things at a level I think it should be commercially but have to remind myself not to take it too seriously and just have fun with creating and be true to myself. I do agree that it’s very easy to get stuck in the mean time stuff which is why I been pushing myself to keep moving forward.

  • @rafael.afonso
    @rafael.afonso 11 місяців тому +1

    Every video I fear it will be the last one, cause man, this is pure gold. Awesome as usual, love your work

  • @sakislaspas6176
    @sakislaspas6176 11 місяців тому +6

    It's so obvious, all the love you have for what you do.
    Thank you for these videos they're super inspiring and motivating!

  • @ldm
    @ldm 11 місяців тому

    This really resonates, thanks for sharing!

  • @wholderby
    @wholderby 11 місяців тому

    Your work is always so great David and you really give us a view of the business that most of us never get to see. You are awesome and more appreciated than you will ever know

  • @shiramischmid7572
    @shiramischmid7572 11 місяців тому +1

    What an inspirational and more important true story! Damn you had me every second and I am touched!

  • @fissunix
    @fissunix Місяць тому

    Thank you for this great moment !

  • @filmmaking2444
    @filmmaking2444 11 місяців тому

    Great stuff as always, thanks pal. I related to this so much

  • @Impheatus
    @Impheatus 11 місяців тому +3

    This video was simply amazing! So much respect to you and Lotta. Keep doing what you do because we love your mind and your craft. Thank you so much for giving us an insight into your professional life.

  • @ryut
    @ryut 11 місяців тому

    Thank you for sharing your precious wisdom, David. Truly encouraging and inspiring.

  • @perryharovas
    @perryharovas 11 місяців тому +4

    With every video you make here, I am more and more convinced you are speaking to me directly. At least on a metaphorical level. Your willingness to show the shiny as well as the banged up parts of your career history make your "human-ness" like a super power. I truly enjoy every one of these videos, and always drop everything when a new one appears. Thank you for literally years worth of humor, inspiration and exploration of your creative life.

  • @Megasteakman
    @Megasteakman 11 місяців тому

    Hell yeah puzzle bobble. That's a great workflow.
    Thanks for the video, always fascinating to hear your opinions/journey!

  • @tryingmybestokay
    @tryingmybestokay 11 місяців тому +2

    Åh jag minns när du postade cam closer och blev så förvånad att du/ni lyckats så bra att hoppa från att skapa tecknad humor till att skapa så bra skräck. Sedan när internet ballade ur över lights out tänkte jag "vänta, är det inte den där videon Ponysmasher postade?" Och nog var det den! Att ha kunnat följa din karriär via kanalen är så kul. Jag har inte ens kollat på alla dina filmer, utan mest kollat här. Jag ska se till att följa ditt råd att bara skapa det jag vill.

  • @UrbanSLUG
    @UrbanSLUG 11 місяців тому +1

    I remember growing up with these videos and they shaped my humor and animation style at the time. I had no idea it was you who made them, I'm glad to see how long you've come!

  • @alexbadeau5027
    @alexbadeau5027 11 місяців тому +4

    This was incredible, David. Seeing your skills develop and your work ethic over the years is inspiring, and your sense of humor is great lol in hindsight it seems inevitable you’d make it to tell big stories

  • @MariaVosa
    @MariaVosa 11 місяців тому

    This was a treat! It's amazing to see how hard you've worked, how many things you've tried out and how much you had to hussle to get where you are. Most of that gets lost behind the "he did a viral horror short with his wife and then he got to direct a full movie". Among your many, many talents is also the written word. This was a fantastic essay.

  • @ireysword
    @ireysword 11 місяців тому

    Thank you so much for sharing your experiences again and again. It's a huge motivation and a relief that everyone seems to feel a little lost while doing what they do.
    I always wanted to be a writer but have considered going down the comic route because I like to draw and I feel I've come to a level where I can produce something that's passable. Problem is I am a 100% traditional artist. I do use programs for clean up, but I feel if I don't switch to digital art I may never get to anything. But seeing that you made a movie with hand drawn stils does help to alleviate that anxiety. You're a huge inspiration and while I don't like horror all that much (I am a scaredy cat) I do enjoy your other projects a lot. Keep up the great work!

  • @tentativesuggestion
    @tentativesuggestion 11 місяців тому

    That was interesting to hear after all those years. I used to enjoy your funny animations back then. Kept watching them over and over again, they always got me into a giggly mood.

  • @robd92
    @robd92 11 місяців тому

    Loved lights out! I would show it to all my friends just to see their reactions. Pretty cool to learn more about your history and how you got to where you are now! Kudos

  • @CineGorilla
    @CineGorilla 11 місяців тому

    Thank you for the things that you do for all of us... this was very inspiring!!!

  • @redeagle1tv
    @redeagle1tv 11 місяців тому +2

    Inspirational, love your work.

  • @miktit
    @miktit 10 місяців тому

    It's so cool and inspiring, you still do these videos. I'm still going back to some of your tutorials on sound and lighting. Thanks a lot for both enlightning and scary videos 😀

  • @HorrorViews
    @HorrorViews 11 місяців тому +1

    Another incredible video, thank you David for the entertainment as well as motivation!

  • @justinvazquezfilms
    @justinvazquezfilms 11 місяців тому +1

    David you’re the best your advice helped me so much in the industry

  • @burtonfzz
    @burtonfzz 11 місяців тому

    damn that was super inspiring and super in time and I got almost the same thought in my head. thank you

  • @smashism
    @smashism 11 місяців тому +6

    You're a natural storyteller. Thank you for another inspiring video.

  •  11 місяців тому +2

    thanks for sharing. love everything about this story and the message at the end hits deep. Ideas a cheap, it's about finishing and it's about craft.

  • @Alex.G.Alegre
    @Alex.G.Alegre 11 місяців тому

    Thanks for share all this, it is a great advice, it helps know all this to keep on track

  • @raydillon
    @raydillon 11 місяців тому

    Wow, what an awesome video. Thanks so much for sharing this, David. 💖

  • @SpookyouKnowIt23
    @SpookyouKnowIt23 11 місяців тому

    Never stop, David. You rock, truly

  • @GummiSosa
    @GummiSosa 8 місяців тому

    David, you're a gift. Thanks for sharing this story!

  • @whynotanyting
    @whynotanyting 11 місяців тому

    It's funny how much I feel like I'm following in your footsteps right now. Currently trying to get into 3D animation and going through other's works frame by frame, freelancing at the moment (more for just 3D printed objects, but hopefully later on as animator), and now I'm investing time into maths and programming that I wouldn't have otherwise to develop tools for such programs.

  • @StephenIsTrying
    @StephenIsTrying 11 місяців тому +1

    Thanks for the inspiration, David! I’ve been overthinking my next steps with filmmaking for years without taking action. I definitely needed those last two minutes.

  • @marcpaters0n
    @marcpaters0n 11 місяців тому +5

    Man I really needed to hear this today. I've been freelancing writing about film for a couple of years now, and I do enjoy it but I don't like all the hustle side either.
    I recently finished writing a script that grew out of a lot of tragedy that happened to my family and it was very liberating.
    I don't know if it'll ever get made but it was something I needed to do.

  • @BloodyMunchkin
    @BloodyMunchkin 11 місяців тому +1

    Yearning to someday be half the director you've become, man. Thank you for sharing your story. As others have mentioned, a lot of what you said resonated with me. 💜

  • @rulymuhammad9795
    @rulymuhammad9795 11 місяців тому

    Thank you David. So inspirational.

  • @satyajitmajumder1
    @satyajitmajumder1 11 місяців тому

    You always inspire me ❤️
    Thanks for sharing! It gives us hope and lot of courage...

  • @OSW
    @OSW 11 місяців тому +2

    David's words are so earnest and inspirational. It all sounds achieveable, except for getting several viral hits!

  • @Lumpupu
    @Lumpupu 11 місяців тому +2

    Thank your for this, is exactly what I needed to hear right now. ❤

  • @Ivan94film
    @Ivan94film 10 місяців тому +1

    Thank you for sharing your story, from another filmmaker in Sweden, you truly inspire!

  • @MG-jt4pk
    @MG-jt4pk 11 місяців тому

    What a GIFT! THANK YOU for sharing your amazing trajectory AND for not giving up! The world NEEDS creative people like you---such an INSPIRATION!

  • @MalexFPV
    @MalexFPV 7 місяців тому

    Damn, you have come a long way. It's easy to get stuck in the meantime stuff - that's real talk right there! Love your advice and Keep inspiring~

  • @dannyvalimaki
    @dannyvalimaki 11 місяців тому

    Thanks for sharing! This was very relatable and very much inspiring

  • @snehalkm
    @snehalkm 11 місяців тому

    Thank you so much for making this video. Learned a very important lesson today. It's important to create and not worry about the outcome. It's very inspiring and to see to connect to your roots and talking about your journey and fuelling creativity into your audiences. I worked in your movie Shazam 1 in Visual effects so that's the reason I was following your channel. But once again, thank you for inspiring.

  • @matthewholt6168
    @matthewholt6168 11 місяців тому

    The rarest of UA-cam videos - one that's actually inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

  • @TheBartalamey
    @TheBartalamey 11 місяців тому +1

    Huuuge thanks for all you doing David! So inspiring!

  • @Jimbo1221
    @Jimbo1221 11 місяців тому

    Thank you for this video. You're awesome.

  • @coldhavenmedia2261
    @coldhavenmedia2261 11 місяців тому

    David, you are pretty much my spirit animal. Just such an inspiration to see where you have been and were you are going. Maybe someday i'll run into you and have a beer and a chat about film making.

  • @amalgamateproductions1944
    @amalgamateproductions1944 11 місяців тому +1

    My whole existence lights up whenever David posts. I’ll support you forever, man

  • @DoctorBatmanMD
    @DoctorBatmanMD 11 місяців тому

    Thank you, as always, for uploading these.
    I never could get into freelance. Much like, how you didn’t know what to charge, I didn’t feel I could even approach people about doing work for them.
    It’s a hard thing to try to put a price on creative work, or to even feel like you can charge people for that work.

  • @CrazyT8studios
    @CrazyT8studios 11 місяців тому

    So cool, I always love hearing where people started out and how they ended up where they did

  • @solar-monk
    @solar-monk 11 місяців тому

    This is so inspiring. Thank you souch David for your videos. Please continue to share your experience and insights. Wish more filmmakers would do this.

  • @TheReelport
    @TheReelport 10 місяців тому

    I was looking for your Blender Pencil tutorial, and now landed on this video. You are a great talent, and I am very grateful you are sharing all your insights in a very cool way. I will follow your path, master!

  • @amaarali-ateamtv
    @amaarali-ateamtv 11 місяців тому

    You are one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to directing. You inspired me to make my very first short film Don't Look. Thank you.

  • @gerardpb
    @gerardpb 11 місяців тому +8

    Dude. This is exactly what I needed to hear right now. If you ever find yourself in Mexico City, it would be an honor to interview you. Thank you for sharing your experiences and your valuable advice. I have followed your work since "Lights Out" (UA-cam version) and you are an example to follow in different aspects.
    Greetings!

  • @philippe5144
    @philippe5144 11 місяців тому +1

    Your journey is so inspiring, thk from 🇫🇷 !! 👍

  • @MRLosaren
    @MRLosaren 10 місяців тому +1

    Wow, seeing all these animations is really giving me a throwback down memory lane. Remember all of these videos circulating in my Swedish school. Can’t believe it was actually you who did them! Amazing to hear the story behind it. Have basically been following you since the early days without knowing it haha. Thanks for all the amazing content and insightful behind the scenes! Excited to see what’s next for you

  • @HosseinThePoet
    @HosseinThePoet 11 місяців тому +1

    I didn't skip a second. Really golden words. Thank you!

  • @carlosedubarreto
    @carlosedubarreto 11 місяців тому

    Thanks a lot for this video. It was great to know more about you and your story.
    And... as I want to make animations, I see now why your final advice is so important.
    I'll focus to stop coding so much, to start making my things.
    It will be a big crap, but after lots of crap, there might be something good.
    And loved your animations. Didnt expect that you would be such passionate and multi talented person.
    Congrats on that.

  • @spiff232
    @spiff232 10 місяців тому +1

    Your videos are amazing. They inspire me to try to be a director and an actor with the stuff my house even though I’m still a kid your shorts and horror movies are great.

  • @laserwolf65
    @laserwolf65 11 місяців тому +1

    The king has returned!

  • @3Prayt
    @3Prayt 11 місяців тому

    Man, I'm not even finishing the video and I just got to say that I love these wonderful insights. I leave your videos with a more comprehensive view of the creative process and the field