My name is Rick Pickens, and I started Toontooga to help animation enthusiasts and story creators:
- finish their content
- find an audience
- create their dream projects
When I started working in VFX and digital animation in 1987, the industry was just beginning a major cycle of abundance which created a wave of changes that continue until now. How are the changes affecting us? Well, you probably know at least one person with six figures of school debt and unable to find employment in this industry. On the other hand, more animated content is being produced than ever before. So many changes, in fact, that it may seem difficult to tell what’s next: some say another cycle of abundance, while others think the whole thing can crumble.
“It’s not crumbling. You’re crumbling!” – Ralph Bakshi
I recently found myself surveying the landscape of digital animators, cartoonists, freelancers, flash users, and story creators – some not making money, some feeling they have given up on their dream, and even the extreme of some losing a spiritual sense of purpose. Many, however, see the doors of opportunity wide open, but feel they have arrived late to the game, or wonder how to get noticed, or have come to the conclusion that they don’t have enough time to be the animator they want to be.
If you are able, maybe, together, we can look beyond the industry layoffs and bankruptcies, the ‘required’ years of high-priced schooling, and the paradigm of thinking we must not produce our idea until we are better than the masters that have gone before us. I know that Toontooga will be a helping hand to get your ideas finished, find your audience and lift their spirits, be recognized for your personal style, and validate your calling.
“Let’s make some funny pictures.” – Tex Avery