After years of writing for live action, I took the leap and followed my passion for animation—and everything shifted. If you're coming from live action, animation might feel unfamiliar. But I found a more collaborative, story-first way to write! If animation still makes you think only of Saturday morning cartoons, you might be missing out. Adult animation is having a moment, with shows like Bojack Horseman, Arcane, and Love, Death & Robots leading the charge. And as Ghibli films have proven, it's not about R-rated humor—it’s about emotional range and visual storytelling. As Guillermo del Toro puts it: Animation is not a genre, animation is cinema, animation is film! With that clarification out of the way, let's unpack what makes animation so rewarding for screenwriters. It offers deep collaboration, real creative influence, and opportunities that go beyond the page—including ownership, longevity, and profit. Let’s break down why this medium might be the best move you haven’t made yet. Story Artists Make You a Better Writer Think of iconic animation moments—like the scene in Wall-E when he dances with Eve in space using a fire extinguisher. That unforgettable beat came from story artist Kevin O’Brien, who pitched the idea to writer-director Andrew Stanton. Working with story artists is one of the most rewarding parts of the process—their visual thinking sharpens your writing and helps you find rhythm, clarity, and punch. 'Thingdom'I remember watching the animatic for Thingdom, the first animated feature I co-wrote. After a few drafts, the boards came...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Today