"Chopper and Hops" Update

Well, we got our first feedback on "Chopper and Hops". It's from the animation studio Frederator (currently of 'Adventure Time' fame, previously of everything from 'Dexter's Lab' to 'Fanboy and Chum-Chum'). The response was...less than we'd hoped for. :D  

"Hi Ed, and thanks for submitting "Chopper and Hops". 

Unfortunately, we're going to pass. 

Overall, this lacked a focus and a clear, character driven story. Chopper wants to be relieved of boredom. What's at stake? What are the consequences if he fails? Ultimately, this develops into a morality tail about Chopper questioning whether he should keep adventuring. That's not necessarily a proactive way to move the story forward. Throw more tangible obstacles he needs to get around, at this point, there's nearly zero conflict. 

Conflict is the best way to reveal character, and as it stands, I'd have a tough time describing any of the characters with more than a handful of adjectives. Above all else, we're looking for break out characters that audiences love and want to be or be with. I don't see that with Chopper. 

Thanks for the work, best of luck with "Chopper and Hops"."

A lot of it is good feedback. A lot I disagree with.  But, thems the breaks.  (Although my cousin Lori pointed out the "morality tail" typo, so that made me laugh. Maybe if we get picked up on as a show we'll call it 'Morality Tails'. :D But anyway...)

We still have Nickelodeon's Shorts program to hear back from. Again though, chances are against us there too.  I repeat, that's not pessimism, they are against anyone who sends something in. I've read it takes about 3 months for Nick to get back though, so that's 3 months of hope that I won't have to keep my dull/lifeless day job for the next 25 years or so. 

Submitting your stuff, following your dreams...it's a lot more up and down than you see on TV and in movies. Melissa and I alone have faced things like the drowning death of our amazing original 'My Cage' editor, the legendary Jay Kennedy, just weeks before 'My Cage' debuted, we've been approached 3 times on having 'Santa vs Dracula' made into a movie (2 of those times by MAJOR studios) only to have it fall apart by things like corporate restructuring.  It's been heartbreaking many times. 

But still we do it.  And I hope you do too if you aspire to do so. The more people who put art out there, the more art we have.  The more people reach for their aspirations, the more aspirations become available. 

Hope > settling. Hope > fear.  

But for now, it's back to my day job. :)

We'll talk more later. ;)

Thanks for your support. 

-Ed