Creating Animated Cartoons with Character: A Guide to Developing and Producing Your Own Series for TV, the Web, and Short Film

by Joe Murray

From the Emmy Award-winning creator of Rocko's Modern Life and Camp Lazlo comes Creating Animated Cartoons with Character, a comprehensive, fully illustrated guide to creating and producing a successful animated series for television, short film, and the Web.  Joe Murray offers his substantial wisdom and expertise – honed from more than twenty years in the business – in creating and producing characters adn stories in an authoritative yet conversational narrative that answers such questions as: How do you create good characters?  How do you conceive the world they inhabit and tell their stories?  And once you've breathed life into your ideas, how do you successfully pitch your series to a network?
This book won't tell you what characters to create or how to draw them. What it will do is guide you in discovering and exploring your own creative sweet spots and help you to navigate the process that links your unique artistic vision with the realities of producing a commerical cartoon.  Packed with art and photos from Murray's many film and television projects, as well as behind-the-scenes anecdotes and insider advice from such highly successful contemporaries as Steve Hillenburg (SpongeBob Squarepants), Everett Peck (Duckman), and Craig McCracken (The Powerpuff Girls and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends), this book explores in detail the importance of character and story hooks; how to put together pitch materials; what goes into producing a series pilot; and how to build the best creative team to produce your show.  Whether you’re an aspiring cartoonist, experienced animator, hardcore fan, or you simply like to draw and tell stories, Creating Animated Cartoons with Character is the ultimate entrée into the world of animated cartooning from a master of the craft.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 24, 2010

About the author

Joseph David Murray (born May 3, 1961) is an American animator, illustrator, writer, producer, and director. He is best known as the creator of Nickelodeon's Rocko's Modern Life, Cartoon Network's Camp Lazlo, and PBS Kids' Let's Go Luna!. Murray is the winner of two Primetime Emmy Awards for Camp Lazlo and the TV film Camp Lazlo: Where's Lazlo?.

Reviews

[Rod · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely invaluable tool for anyone who has ever had the crazy notion of creating their own cartoon series on TV or the internet. It's a wealth of information presented in an easy to follow step-by-step fashion. Take warning though: It doesn't look like that big of a book, but once you open it you realize they used a VERY small font for the printing! There is a LOT to read here. Also, of course, Mr. Murray's understandable bias for comedy shows is obvious, and many of his suggestions lean toward that. I'm not certain how some of what he says would apply if you're thinking of creating a show like "Gargoyles" or "Young Justice" rather than "Rocko's Modern World", but still enough of the information here is all-around helpful that I would heartily recommend this book to anyone considering a career in animation.

[Justin Hook · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this sounds interesting, you will not be let down. A basically perfect book on the subject, though it works from the assumption that you in the process of getting a show made, which is an oddly small demo. Call it a fantasy.

[Joseph]

Very thoughtful and informative book

[Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the most educational book on the actual process of making an animated series I’ve ever read. Thanks to his guiding and reassuring voice throughout, after reading I almost feel as if Joe Murray is a close friend of mine. It’s a damn shame this is out of print and only available for jacked up prices on the internet (luckily I got one on eBay that was only $60). If you get a chance and you’re interested in it’s subject matter please read. Makes a great companion piece with How to Write for Animation by Jeffrey Scott.

[Michael Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The creator of Rocko’s Modern Life and Camp Lazlo offers up advice on how to create animation, be it for TV, film or The Internet. The advice can apply to people in any creative outlet, and his clear passion for what he does is quite infectious.

Excellent read for any creative or fan of animation.

[Nicholas Pokorny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Murray's book on how to create cartoons with character is a must for anyone who wants to know what it's like to get into the animation business. His book is accessible and understandable for anyone middle school and up.

[Adriano · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can use an update from 2010 (streaming was still a distant dream at this point), but still provides great insight into how to produce a network ready animated TV show.

[Lewistron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped me a lot on seeing how to enter the industry and dealing with its standards with a keen eye. The process explanations definitely have been helping me on working on my own animated series currently.

[Goop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hands down the best piece of literature on the subject I’ve ever read. Murray’s experience in graphic design and business sheds invaluable light on the world of cartooning as well as his persistently wholesome stance on charity and environmentalism. This book can be used for character design, cartoon pitching, animation, industry navigating, storyboarding, etc… and topped off with invaluable interviews with huge inspirations like Steve Hillenburg and Everett Peck.

Also, the PDF is available for free on Joe Murray’s website! I used my entire printing credits for the term printing this at the library, then hole punched it and put it in a binder.

[Casey Rayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ive always been a fan of Joe Murray so this read was a no brainer for me. enjoyed the guide and stories of his experiences with television.

[Amanda Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful. I'm not yet at the stage of being able to make my own animated series yet (>_>) but I do want to own my own copy to keep this advice at my fingertips.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many interesting advises for animator creators and writers they should take note.

[Lena Nechet · Rating 2 out of 5]

This attractive author was holding back practical knowledge on actual creating - I did not rent this book to learn his story.