Need some tips...landed a new job

[KustmAce]

So there is a production company preparing a new series for the Cartoon Network and their lead artist walked out. I was unaware of any of this at about 8:29 this morning. At around 8:30, I get a phone call from a guy I have never heard of, from a studio I have never heard of, who has heard about me from a friend of mine, and wants me to be their new artist.

Well I interviewed at 7 tonight, and got the job. Not a bad gig, I do storyboards and character design.

*Here's where it gets interesting*

I don't really care for anime, never have. Its just not my thing, and I think I have watched maybe a total of 6 minutes of anime programming in my life. So becoming a full time anime artist will really test my skills.

I have been browsing tutorials, and I will be watching a healthy amount of Dragonball Z this weekend. But this is where you all come in if possible. I want to know what makes a good anime cartoon, recommendations of good episodes of shows to watch for ideas, and anything else that might be of value.

Keep in mind I know absolutely nothing about anime history, and very little about the style of movement, frameshots, and action.

So if you have anything to share, please throw it out there!

Thanks

[elementskater15]

First of all, you are now the most awesome person I know next to Boy George. IMO, DBZ sucks, terrible animation and the stories are dragged on forever, plus the voice overs are really crappy. Watch some movies like Ghost in the Shell or Akira, those are two of the greatest ever. What genre is it going to be? Fighting, drama, comedy, etc? Different styles of anime require different aspects to make them good.


Edit: Grande Boleros de Fuego............Tengo una fiesta en mis pantalones

[KustmAce]

From what I understand it will be a dramatic series, with some fighting aspects, and a lot of historical aspects.

[elementskater15]

First rule with dramatic/fighting...make sure there is a meaning and motive. It can be really hard to make the story the right length, but make a single story like 5 or 6 eps long, and have a pretty good bit of character development, like have them communicate feelings and whatnot often. Relationships(or almost relationships) would help too. As far as fights go, watch samurai champloo. The fight scenes are very intense, yet short. They reflect real fights very well. The worst thing you could ever do is drag on a single fight for 2 or 3 eps, unless it is against an arch rival or something. When and where will iti be set? I'm guessing 17th centuty Japan.

[KustmAce]

Present day Manhattan.

[elementskater15]

http://www.anime-forums.com/ post a link to this thread there. These people are a lot more articulate with how to explain what makes a good anime show

[[yen]]

i'd check out some oldish xmen comics pencilled by joe meduria (i think his name is)
its not exactly anime / manga style art work but it is most likely a derivative of it.
the artwork of joe maduria would give you some direction and probably appreciation of the style, more so than dragonball z

[xeroinfinity]

this might help with some history and or culture.
http://drawsketch.about.com/od/anime...tiphistory.htm
I'm sure your drawing skill are pretty good, since you got the job, but thier are lots of books out there with tons of good information you will need to build and develope charatcters.

Good Luck KustmAce, and hav fun!

[xviciousx]

The only thing I can tell you is this:

the problem most people have with anime is that they view it as a cartoon, and cartoons are for children. This is just a stereotype and it doesn't bothor true anime fans. You have to think of anime as real people and give it that drama. Ignore that it's a cartoon and go with realism. If you want I can help you with finding anime that fits your need to see.

I reccomend Trigun, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and even His and Her Circumstances. NGE and H&H were both released by Gainax, which are RENOWN for their anime being all about human relations, drama is huge in them, NGE has lots of fighting, H&H is about high school dating.

Trigun is a perfect mix of drama, humor, and fighting. Really it doesn't get much better.

Cowboy BeBop is another one, my personal favorite, that you probably should watch, even the Tenchis.

Send me a PM if you want to know more. I'm an English Major so writing and seeing the way things are written are huge to me, just hit me up and I'll do whatever I can for you.