What Counts as Indie Animation?
Movies, shows or shorts that fall under independent animation, typically are made by small studios or individuals—anything that outlies productions from major studios, like Disney or Studio Ghibli. With current technology, animating has become a process that is easily accessible—not to be confused with easily executed—so it’s only natural for artists around the world to share their creations.
Art should be seen, so here are 5 examples of indie animations that deserve a spotlight:
1. Final Space
Release date: April 5, 2016
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Science Fantasy, Space Opera
Type of Animation: 2D Animation, 3D Animation
Country of Origin: USA
Indie Creator: Olan Rogers
Piloting as an indie YouTube short, Final Space is a comedic adult animated series set in space. Gary, the main character, is an astronaut working towards the end of a prison sentence—during which he meets the superweapon Mooncake, an alien with the capability of destroying planets. Together, they go on hectic misadventures, to uncover the secret of the fictitious realm of “Final Space”.
This animated show aired on TBS and Adult Swim and can be credited to the work of Olan Rogers—an independent filmmaker, writer and actor. Its animation was outsourced to the Canadian studio Jam Filled, creating the 2D and 3D animations we see on our screens. However, real imagery from NASA’s telescopic pictures were used as inspiration for the backgrounds, to capture space as closely as possible.
2. Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared
Release date: July 29, 2011
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Drama
Type of Animation: Claymation, Stop-motion, Traditional Animation, Flash Animation, Computer Animation
Country of Origin: UK
Indie Animators: Becky Sloan, Joseph Pelling
Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared (DHMIS) is a web series turned tv show that contrasts nostalgic, childlike visuals with off-putting themes. It’s a horror musical that utilises mixed media in its story telling—from puppets, to an amalgam of all sorts of animation methods. The show follows three main characters, the Red Guy, Yellow Guy and Green Duck. Episodes usually start off with an innocuous tune and setting, with lively and colourful objects and supporting casts. However, as episodes progress, the plot twists, music becomes discordant, imagery darkens and disturbs. Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared deals with a broad and diverse range of themes, like time, love and technology, to name a few. Minor violence, morbid humour and existentialism is addressed in the series—so it’s best to proceed with caution.
The show combines live action with animation, utilising methods like claymation, stop-motion, traditional, flash and computer animation. This, and other aspects of DHMIS are largely attributed to the works of two friends, who met while studying Fine Art and Animation in university. After the pilot aired, it was largely funded through Kickstarter campaigns, and with the show’s popularity—the two indie animators had reached their goals in no time.
3. The Painting
Release date: November 23, 2011
Genre: Drama, Action, Adventure
Type of Animation: 3D Animation
Country of Origin: France
Indie Animator: Jean-François Laguionie
Set inside an unfinished painting, this French indie animation follows three friends from different groups, who set out to find their creator. The movie is highly allegorical to themes of class divide and racism—the unfinished painting depicts three largely different classes; Allduns, figures that are fully painted; Halfies, the halfway painted people, and Sketchies, who are mere sketches. The fully painted figures pillage the Halfies, while the Sketchies are enslaved.
This indie animation emulates the look and feel of an oil painting, in a digitised 3D method, while paying homage to famed artists who are seminal to the history of art. Each character was individually designed by Jean-François Laguionie, the director of The Painting, to ensure that every bit of the animation was given equal love and attention to.
4. Mary and Max
Release date: April 9, 2009
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Type of Animation: Claymation
Country of Origin: Australia
Indie Animator: Adam Elliot
Mary and Max tell the tale of an unlikely friendship, between the eight-year-old Mary and a forty-four-year-old man with Aspergers, who become pen-pals. Set in 1970, this near monochromatic Claymation comedy-drama deals with themes of neglect, isolation and mental health. Mary and Max’s friendship spans over the course of 20 years, and as we watch Mary grow into adulthood, Max’s struggles with anxiety and disorder only worsen.
Including a fully functional miniature typewriter, Mary and Max was made with extensive props, sets and puppets—and was inspired by the Australian indie animator’s personal experience with a long-time pen pal of his. Taking inspiration from his friends and family is the animator’s trademark, coining a term called “Clayography”, a combination of claymation and biography.
5. Salad Fingers
Release date: July 1, 2004
Genre: Comedy, Psychological Horror
Type of Animation: Flash Animation
Country of Origin: UK
Indie Animator: David Firth
Yet another staple in internet history, this indie animation by the British David Firth is a morbidly humorous web show, that follows the titular character, Salad Fingers. Absolutely enamoured by rust, Salad Fingers is a mentally disturbed, green and lanky person who’s set to roam an empty world. Each episode is equally surreal and absurd, and follows Salad Finger’s day-to-day life in a seemingly post-nuclear war Earth. It’s a show where backstory, truths and lore are highly dependent on fan theories—as all the information we receive are from the unreliable, fractured mind of Salad Fingers.
Animated and written by David Firth, Salad Fingers is one of the few indie animations uploaded to his YouTube channel. The web show was animated through Flash, truly quintessential of the internet in the 2000s. Salad Fingers, too, was voiced by Firth himself, where unique inflections and soft tones of the character were the result of mimicry of the elderly—and not wanting to wake his parents up.
Conclusion
Indie animations can be unsung heroes in the industry—so don’t knock it down just because its scale of production wasn’t grand! Many make it into the mainstream, for reasons deserved. As creation and sharing becomes easier, expect many more indie animations to grow out of obscurity.
Author Bio
From Malaysia, Leia Emeera is a writer at TESSR, and a published author. She has been putting pen to paper ever since she learned how to, and has an anthology to her name, titled 'Ten'. Leia loves music, games and her beloved labrador retriever, George. She aims to further her studies in English Literature and Creative Writing the moment her gap year ends. 'Till then, you will find her sitting behind a desk, writing with TESSR.
Connect with her on LinkedIn: Leia Emeera
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