Episode 6 - Indie Content & Going Viral
In episode 6 of the Animation Happy Hour, we sit down with Josh Slice, creator of the viral YouTube series, Lucas the Spider. We talk about independent content creation, making money outside the studio system, and the pros and cons of going viral.
MEET THE GUEST: JOSH SLICE
Josh Slice is a feature film animator from Pasadena, California and Academy of Art alum who has been working in the feature film industry for 10 years. Josh’s film credits include, Frozen 2, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Zootopia, Big Hero 6, Ferdinand, Ice Age 5, and more! Josh is the creator of the viral Lucas the Spider web series, which recently secured a global TV deal in partnership with Fresh TV and Cartoon Network. Josh is currently a member of the prestigious “mermen” cube with Garrett and Ben at Disney. Most importantly, Josh is the proud father of Dexter (pictured above).
JOSH’S FEATURE WORK
LUCAS THE SPIDER
“Lucas the Spider is basically an online web series on YouTube about a cute little spider who just wants to be your friend, and is trying not to die.” - Josh
For more episodes of Lucas the Spider check out www.LucastheSpider.com.
JOSH’S TOP TIPS FOR CREATING INDIE CONTENT
1) make POPCORN ENTERTAINMENT (ie. limit the scope)
“All of my ideas, I sort of think of it like popcorn entertainment. Really short snippets that are really entertaining for a few seconds. You can make something very small look very good, as opposed to something long that’s sort of meh.” - Josh
People generally have a very short attention span when it comes to internet content so Josh recommends that you focus your energy on making high-quality short content instead of long-form mediocre content. Some quick recommendations on how to limit the scope of your content are:
Limit the length of your content (15-60 seconds!)
Reduce the number of assets (one character! no props!)
Simplify (1 camera angle! Use a photo plate for the background!)
2) GOING VIRAL HAS ITS CONS TOO
“Another thing about the whole viral aspect is that people everywhere are posting your content. It’s so hard to sort out who is a fan and just wants to share something that they love, and who is trying to rip you off.” - Josh
It’s important to be aware that going viral has its fair share of cons. Here are a few of the ones Josh touched upon in episode 6:
You may have to hire a lawyer to deal with copyright infringement.
You could feel constant pressure to keep producing content and burn out quickly.
Life will likely get more complicated in general. You could all of a sudden have to handle fielding outside offers, managing merchandise, defending intellectual property, tackle way more email correspondence, etc.
3) TRY NOT TO RELY ON OTHER PEOPLE
“It’s better to consult people who have the expertise to ask them questions about how to fix it because then that’s easy for them, they can just talk.” - Josh
If you want to make your own short form indie content, Josh highly recommends that instead of relying on other people, you try to handle everything yourself and ask people for their expertise when you’re stuck. If you need additional help, make sure the other folks are 100% invested in the project, otherwise you run the risk of major delays and never finishing your project.
4) MAKE CONTENT FOR YOU NOT FOR THE MONEY
“If you’re out there and you’re creating content, the first thing you got to do is, don't do it for the money, do it for the art, because you just don't know what will catch on and what won't. And if it doesn't catch on, the way you’d want, well at least you got something out of it because you love what you’re doing. Make it be bonus that it took off.” - Josh
If you’re planning to create your own content, make sure you are passionate about your project. That way, if you’re content doesn’t take off, you still get something out of it in the end. If you’re making something you don’t care about because you are chasing likes or money, you run the risk of it not taking off and getting absolutely nothing out of the equation. In the wise words of Jim Carrey:
episode call outs
1) O.G. Jumping Spider Inspiration for Lucas the Spider
2) LUCAS THE SPIDER FAN ART
Check out more fan art here: https://creators.teespring.com/lucas-the-spider/
3) Check out josh’s latest creation: comet tales!
TIP JAR TIP OF THE MONTH:
“Focus on what you love, what your passions are, and just become the best at that thing, and you’ll find your audience…Be honest about what you enjoy doing and do more of that, eventually you’ll get good enough. If you’re in the 99th percentile of any skill you can find an audience. You can find a home to showcase it.” - Josh
