Joe Murray's KaboingTV (web based animation channel)

[WillW]

Joe Murray (creator of Rocko's Modern Life, Camp Lazlo and a few Short animations) is raising funds to create a hive for quality web based animations (and a home for his own "Frog in a Suit" series).

You can read more about it here http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1589686906/launch-an-all-cartoon-web-channel-called-kaboingtv

From watching the video and reading the description I really hope that he can raise the funds to get this off the ground as it sounds like it could work really well. I know I'll definitely be pledging some money towards it : D

What do you think about it?

[Alexandra Poston]

I'm really excited about it too, and will also be pledging some money toward it. I feel like if he can really get this running this will give animators all sorts of other opportunities to publicize their work and for public to get their hands on different kinds of animation even if they're not searching for it specifically on the internet.

Not only will it give animators more opportunities to get paid for their own projects and noticed for their innovative work - but I think that this will also help push cartoons out of the 'only for children' box. Since it's not company funded, but it's own thing - individual animators and groups will have the ability to make riskier and more personalized films.

I'm crossing my fingers for this and if you're hoping for a strong future in 2D animation, I think everyone should look into donating at least 10 bucks.

[jeremyhopkins]

Yeah, it's a good idea and I'm glad it's working so far. Lavalle and I tried pitching a project (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1811205415/teeter-totter-cartoon) on kickstarter but it didn't work out. We learned that between kickstarter and amazon payments, they take 10% of the pledges. Not terrible but it is kind of high for kickstarter because they don't really do much for marketing. Marketing is a big deal, you have to be able to sell the project to an audience who is willing to support your idea. I'm hesitant about self promotion because I'm a first time creator, haven't done anything memorable and didn't want to spam my friends for money. None of this holds true for Joe Murray so I'm glad that he's getting out there and pitching an idea. Hope his project gets funded and if anyone else in the US wants to give a shot, go for it. Kickstarter doesn't support international projects because of amazon payments.

[KlarkKentThe3rd]

I do not understand. What will be on the site? Only 1 flash cartoon?

[WillW]

but I think that this will also help push cartoons out of the 'only for children' box.

That's what I hope too, I cant imagine all the great stuff we would have gotten if it wasn't for that.

Jeremy: yeah, for first time creators its very difficult to get support for projects. You'd have thought the website would have at least helped get the word out a bit in order to make their 10%

KlarkKentThe3rd: not really, it wont just be a place for Joe Murray's cartoons. it will also be a place where other people can pitch their ideas and get more series created to make something like a web based animation channel.

[jeremyhopkins]

Jeremy: yeah, for first time creators its very difficult to get support for projects. You'd have thought the website would have at least helped get the word out a bit in order to make their 10%

It was partially my fault as well. I thought kickstarter was a community of angel investors and it doesn't quite function that way. It's less like a talent manager and more like a bulletin board which is fine but I'm surprised that no other site has duplicated what kickstarter created. If Joe can set up an online cartoon network that has kickstarter like investment opportunities, that would be huge.

[WillW]

When I saw the kickstarter website it reminded me quite a bit of indieGoGo http://www.indiegogo.com/ in the sense that people can pledge money for something to be made. but I think they're very similar in the sense that they wont help get the word out.

[Alexandra Poston]

they're still helpful regardless. My friend put the animatic for his film on IndieGogo and although he only got 35 dollars in pledges, someone saw it and offered to volunteer to compose a music score for his film. She's composed it now and he says he couldn't have imagined anyone doing a better job. :) put your stuff up, guys, and maybe something exciting will happen. I'm sorry your project didn't work out, Jeremy. I believe in self-promotion - even if you put stuff up on kickstarter or indiegogo, you need to spread the word as much as you can yourself and more people will pledge, I believe.

[jeremyhopkins]

I'm sorry your project didn't work out, Jeremy. I believe in self-promotion - even if you put stuff up on kickstarter or indiegogo, you need to spread the word as much as you can yourself and more people will pledge, I believe
Well, thank you. That's very kind. I don't see it as a failure but as a learning experience and I have to do what feels right to me. It's the Joshua Bell (http://amnesiablog.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/he-played-the-violin-in-the-subway/) subway syndrome where you could be one of the world's best artists but in the wrong place and time, no one will listen. My hope is that these sites find a better way to help their members promote without being obnoxious. If they gave fair promotion, build a unique community of investors, then we'd see some real value. Perhaps we'll see a facebook variant at some point that links interests with ads to support these investment sites but again, done wrong this could feel intrusive. Beyond that, I think it's just building a better product and allowing people to decide for themselves if you're worth investing in.

Thanks for Indiegogo recommendation. At least they allow an international audience to submit work.