I'm currently working on episodes #14 and 15 of Sublo and Tangy Mustard. #14 is short and simple but #15 is maybe one the biggest episodes yet, up there with Katy's Birthday and Convention.
Here are a few backgrounds from it that I've been working on the past few days. I've posted more on my Patreon (patreon.com/aaronlong) if you want to see them!
I hope everybody's staying safe at home and not going out during this whole virus quarantine thing. Jeez these are crazy times, but we'll get through this. Just try to focus on whatever makes you happy. For me working on Sublo and Tangy Mustard has been a nice distraction.
I think my cartoons fall in a tricky no man's land between being - mainstream accessible/TV-friendly - silly internet trash - artsy festival shorts
So when I pitch them, they seem too niche and rough. Online they're too conventional to get much traction, and at festivals they feel vapid and crass next to the beautiful artsy stuff. I think it might be better if I leaned into one of those directions more, but my tastes bounce between all three... Anyway, I just try to make stuff I'd like to watch. It's all you can really do as a creator, at least when you're not getting paid! As a general update, I've done a bunch of talks and interviews and panels lately that have been fun for my ego but not good for productivity! I'm also just drawing again for fun (for the first time in a long while) and slowly working on stuff. More Sublo and Tangy Mustard is in progress! also maaaaaybe others too.
I'm going to be at the TAAFI (Toronto Animation Arts Festival
International) Industry Conference 2019 in a couple of weeks doing a
special talk and some panels! Details below!
Saturday Nov. 2 2019
11:00AM - 12:00PM
A Conversation With Aaron Long
@The Spin Master Atrium Stage
Join Sam Chou for an in-depth conversation with Aaron Long about his
career starting as an intern for the Chuck Grammage studio with little
experience and a ton of passion, through to his current work as a
director for Bojack Horseman and Tuca & Bertie with Netflix.
With Aaron Long Director - Bojack Horseman, Netflix & Shadow Machine
Moderator: Sam Chou Creative Director of Development, Kickstart
Entertainment
2:30PM - 3:30PM
Animation: Not Just For Kids
@The Spin Master Atrium Stage
We know that animation isn’t just for cartoons, but recently it seems
like the rest of the world is starting to wake up to that notion, as new
streaming services start to take animation seriously. Join us for a
discussion on the ins and outs on crafting your ideas for a primetime
world.
With Aaron Long Director - Bojack Horseman, Netflix & Shadow Machine
Liliana Reyes Senior Vice President, Content, Portfolio Entertainment
Moderator: Jason Martinsen Lead Animator, Reel FX
5:30PM - 6:30PM
The Big Pitch
@The Spin Master Atrium Stage
It’s time for our annual Big Pitch contest!
Most competitions usually only offer critiques by industry execs.
The Big Pitch will feature a panel of judges representing departments
throughout the animation pipeline. You’ll learn not only what makes a
pitch sell but how to make it work from every angle!
With Aaron Long Director - Bojack Horseman, Netflix & Shadow Machine
Moderator: Barry A Sanders 3D Animation Supervisor, Animatic T.O
