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jonathan
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Very well-said, especially your points about "tv-quality" independent works. It's not often that I see creative processes broken down in so much detail, so props to you!

Loved this newspost! I'm an indie filmmaker, and a lot of your general advice for indie animation rings true over here as well!

Particularly I resonated with celebrating what makes independent media different from the mainstream, rather than trying to imitate it. Leaning into the unique qualities of production and style instead of trying to gloss over them. This is a trap I've seen a lot of filmmakers fall into, myself included, and it ultimately creates okay product at best.

It takes a lot of bravery to lean in all the way to a project's unique qualities, and you've done so splendidly. Well done, and I look forward to seeing how you continue to grow and produce in the future!

@jonathan Honestly I think it's more excusable taking from other cartoons when it comes to art-style to an extent, albeit if you really know your shit when it comes to mixing and matching styles in really specific ways, (like for example, taking inspiration from visual forms of media that aren't cartoons, and then injecting that shit into a cartoony artstyle) I'll admit tho if there's something I would critique about ratbasterds is that, despite having things that set it apart stylistically from other cartoons online (the rough outlines being the main thing) I still feel like the general designs still feel juuuust a little too influenced by cartoons. But the thing is when im looking at designs for characters in future episodes (mostly judging from the concept art you posted on insta) it does seem that you are implementing that whole taking influence from real life and thus getting a more unique spin on that cartoony aesthetic every time there's a new character introduced, which is really cool to see as it develops, honestly! So while I wouldn't completely discount taking inspo from other visual shit into your style it really also helps getting things from observation as well.

I really fuck with the concept of making characters based off the oddities of your friends in real life, it's a very fun and raw way of getting unique characters and has shown me the absolute power of taking influence from life, like there's so many specific things I notice about these dudes that I have personally never seen portrayed in animation, and even if it has I still feel like I gain a new fresh perspective on that type of trait just from talking to a person like that in real life n shit.

Actually, I just realized something, sometimes you don't even have to take straight up from real life itself, rather like, say getting ideas about the world from like, an online streamer who talks from a life perspective that you've never really gotten the chance to consider from. Like I see dudes from very wildly different backgrounds from me just talk about their life n shit on livestreams and that's actually a very good method cause if you know where to look you can hear about some WILD shit you've never seen happen in your life before. Granted this method is a little unorthadox and if one would try this I would recommend taking from like streamers and shit that aren't like super popular in order to get more unique stories but like, I dunno im just ramblin' at this point LOL

Last thing to end things off in regards with that last paragraph, im glad to be talking to a cartoonist that's so chill with just people just speaking their minds on their stuff and with both parties knowing it's not that serious, I know it's a little para-social saying this but man it just feels nice. anyways, can't wait for more episodes man (you got me really excited with that "total-180" part, which, if it means what I think it means, I can't fuckin WAIT to see what you got in store for that type of episode.) Thank you for taking the time to reply and I hope you have a good one!

Oh don't get me wrong, I don't think taking influence from other cartoons is a bad thing in and of itself! It's when it's the /only/ thing people are drawing from in lies the problem. Beyond life experience I think it's important to look at everything-- comics, movies, paintings/illustration, weird outsider art, whatever. You never know how little bits and pieces might influence your process in a big or small way, or whether or not you're even conscious of it. Ultimately I just want to see a creators individualistic fingerprints on a project, how they take their influences in their own direction. But yeah np, thanks again for the thoughtful response, happy you got somethin out of this!

Yeah I agree

Hmm...yeah, I agree!

Aw man, reading about your process and methods is really inspirational for me. I'll especially keep the "chainsmoking" trick in mind as I tend to slack off after I finish something.

Alternative, baby.

RATBASTERDZ is the type of cartoon that gives me hope for the future - not just for myself but for other internet cartoonists.

Animation's tough shit. As I work and tinker with my own pilot I wanna get off the ground, there's always that looming threat in my mind that "you won't be able to pull all this off". I don't let it get to me often, but sometimes it does.

Then I saw the RATBASTERDZ pilot, a clear labor of love from everyone involved. It's a thing that shows that we're in a new wave of independent animation where everything is just about easier to be seen than ever before.
And that inspires me.

I guess what I'm trying to say is thanks. Great write-up and great rat cartuna.

That's really cool to hear man, thank you. I'm genuinely very flattered anyone finds any of this inspiring to their own process.

I will say-- I feel those sorts of thoughts are intrinsic to anything worth making. I find oftentimes through pushing through the work itself, you figure that shit out, and come out of it having learned something either about yourself, your art, "life" / bigger picture questions, whatever. At the end of the day if you aren't doubting yourself here and there, you aren't pushing, which is the point of making stuff at all! So keep at it, best of luck, and thanks again for the kind words!

This all looks so cool omg O-:

I think in future episodes of the Ratbasterdz, yuou should make even MORE blog posts!

@jonathan no no, the length isn't a problem! I Was just distracted... but yea I'll get back to reading it... keep up the gud work!

I definitely can learn a lot from this. I need to learn how to work in flash for sure.

i ain't reading allat

I love Jay's new design!

Damn I knew I was forgetting something! Should've written a little something about that-- might throw that in the next one

Every one of these live shows gets better and better and I can't wait for the next one!

People are gonna love the new episodes you have planned too!

@errtgfdggtr frfr

this is the most fun i've had in years. i dont get out very much, my school is online so i get lonely. it was such a pleasure to meet everyone! i didn't see hannah tho, i woulda loved to say hi to her. i love satina! i hope y'all do another event in charlotte again so i can attend. such a wonderful and welcoming place, i tell ya what.

Ey hell yeah, I'm happy to hear you had such a good time! That's a big part of why I even do these premiere shows, creating a reason to get art/animation folks outta the house. It feels like all these sorts of events that get animators together are always out west or up north, I wanna create some kinda thing like that in the south! and to that point I'm 100% gonna keep doin em here in Charlotte going forward, at it's furthest I might do one in another NC city or upstate SC potentially. Thanks again for coming out!

@jonathan hehe yes as a hick i am ever greatful. i'll be happy to attend the next ones!

I started reading this the day it dropped, I finally got back to it today. its well worth the length. I've been out of animation (making it and watching it) for a while, but these kinds of project's are very exciting. even tho web-shows have been around forever lately its been inspiring to see how seriously artists are committing to them.
great to hear some of Aaron Long's perspective too. so happy epsiode 3 is already on the way! keep it up!

also that Emrox vid was amazing.

ey whats up dude, good to hear from you!! Shaun mentioned he had ran into you at the ireland meetup and i was meaning to hit you up. thanks for taking the time to read it all, really appreciate you sayin all that. hope youve been keepin well!

@jonathan yea Shaun was a surprise turn up in Dublin, so happy he did because I had some burning questions about the AAA (good nature ones ofc). lately I'm just feeding off the energy around me. I'm leaning clip studio and re-learning flash to get back animating. if you ever want to chat or need an animator hit me up on discord, its the same username.

LOL i'm always shocked anyone remembers the AAA by name but I guess i shouldnt be hahah. that's dope though man! I always thought your work was great back in the day, and the new stuff i've seen from you is crazy good, the amount of improvement is inspiring. would love to see some new toons from you! & I'll shoot you an add here in a few!

I'm sorry to give such a low effort comment, you already know how I feel about this masterpiece writeup, but "audio version bls...."

Lmao im shocked and flattered anyone is still reading this thing or thinking about it, thank you man. I really should do a record of this when I have the time