Zero from my indie film “My Dog Zero” ©Joe Murray Studio Inc.

Thanks to all who posted on my facebook/twitter question. I can tell this blog is going to help me with feedback for my new web channel, and the content on it. I always told the Networks that the input I valued from them was “first look” response. Us animators could think something was great or funny and when it got out there ( and Atlanta, where the Cartoon Network executive offices were located, was a great middle American opinion) it could be confusing or not hit it’s mark. Since we will be dealing with an international stage, I’m going to need the “first look’ response from my friends on this blog. Thank you for your help.

I’m enclosing a cel from “My Dog Zero” because doing these first episodes and reaching out to others reminded me of doing my indie films on a shoestring. And so many people helped. I’ve talked about it before, but I would have weekend painting sessions for twelve weeks where I would wake up at six on Saturday, pick up danish and donuts, arrive at  my in-laws party house in their back yard, set up tables, put out paints and make coffee. At 8:30 or 9am, people would arrive and paint cels all day. We would break for sandwiches and soft drinks. I would clean and break it all down then start over the next day, and paint all day Sunday. We would complete about 200 cels a day I believe, with a big dry erase board marking our progress every week.

This project is feeling like that.