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Desperate-for-a-new-hit-show Nickelodeon debuted a new animated series Sanjay and Craig this morning. The show, which is about an Indian boy Sanjay and his talking pet snake Craig, was created by Jim Dirschberger, Jay Howell (designer, Bob’s Burgers) and Andreas Trolf, and exec produced by Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi (The Adventures of Pete and Pete, KaBlam!, Bravest Warriors).

Early reviews have been positive for the hand-drawn series. Entertainment Weekly says that the show is “a quick-paced, eminently GIF-able product of the Internet age,” while also being “a clear throwback to a simpler time.” The AV Club acknowledges the show’s Calvin & Hobbes-like dynamic”

If you’ve seen the show, report back here with your thoughts. As always, these talkbacks are open only to those who have seen a show and wish to discuss it.

In 1990, an ad that ran in comic books announced the launch of a magazine based on the TV channel Nickelodeon.

Over at kiyong’s blog of creative pursuits, Nickelodeon Writing Program executive director Karen Kirkland shared scriptwriting advice for aspiring TV writers.

The writing program aims “to attract, develop and staff writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences” for Nickelodeon Network. There is no fee to apply, and accepted writers can land a paid position that lasts up to one year–earning some invaluable experience in television writing. Here’s some advice from Kirkland:

I love it when I read a MODERN FAMILY spec where the writer has not only given me a fresh perspective on the show in terms of the story idea and the premise, but I can still feel the tone of the show, the character voices have remained intact, but the writer’s voice – in terms of his or her perspective, is also coming through in that script. That’s a really difficult thing to do. And of course, your script has to make me laugh out loud! It has to be funny. The dialogue needs to be witty. Your story, the arcs and your characters all need to be multi-layered. I can always tell when a writer’s had fun writing their script because I have fun reading it. Most of the common flaws are a result of writers that aren’t invested in their work. Before you write your spec, do yourself a favor – write a 1/2-page premise first, then an outline, then (and only then) should you write your first draft. Do your research – it’s not enough to watch a couple of episodes. Watch them all – multiple times!

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

A few weeks ago, I posted a teaser trailer for PigGoat BananaMantis!, a project developed for Nickelodeon by Dave Cooper and Johnny Ryan, and animated by Nick Cross.

Nickelodeon had already passed on the project at that point, but after the enthusiastic reaction it received online (including on Cartoon Brew), they’ve revived the idea. Johnny Ryan told VICE magazine yesterday:

[Nickelodeon] helped us make this little teaser trailer cartoon. They really liked the way it turned out and wanted to go on to the next step and develop a pilot. We wrote and storyboarded a pilot episode which they didn’t like so they wound up passing on the whole thing. Fast forward a few months later and animator Nick Cross posted the original cartoon on his site where it got a really positive response. I think this made Nickelodeon rethink their decision and they decided to revive the project.

So now we are going back into development to try and make it work. We haven’t really worked out all the details yet as far as how many episodes and all that stuff. I only just found out that they wanted to try this thing again yesterday.

Cartoon Brew | Permalink | One comment | Post tags: Dave Cooper, Johnny Ryan, Nick Cross, nickelodeon, PigGoatBananaMantis!, Pilot

Related posts:

1. “PigGoat BananaMantis!” By Dave Cooper, Johnny Ryan and Nick Cross
2. “Angora Napkin” By Troy Little and Nick Cross
3. “The Woods” Animation Test by Max Winston

Salomon Fenix said, on 9/8/2012 12:56:00 PM

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This short was very good, Nickelodeon happily could well appreciate this short, I hope that this series will be Good.

Like

Julian said, on 9/8/2012 2:12:00 PM

Nickelodeon? They funded it? Wow, I was almost certain it was CN just by the style. Of coarse I question why these established animators and artists even need so much funding and network support in this day and age when this supposed amateur Aaron Long kid keeps popping up and throwing out these rival cartoons, animated by all by him on a dime. I guess it’s time and quantity. You can only produce these things so fast, and when it’s just you, keeping an audience engaged and staying relevant would be a nightmare with 2D. So you need to hire people, get better equipment, etc, and thus get into the big costs. Still, it shows how conservative and out of touch Nick animation execs have become. You’d think it would be the opposite due to the map stapling success they got from it in the 90s. CN’s seemed to loosen their belt a bit in the late 00s, and they seem to be doing just fine now. Nick on the other hand seems to be squeezing what ever else they can get from 13 year old Spongebob and beating this anime style “Kora” thing vigorously, and they’re ratings are declining? I’d say it’s time to get some new leader ship, and give some shown new creative talent a chance.

Like - 1 others like this comment

Mark Mayerson said, on 9/8/2012 3:26:00 PM

I’m sure the recent management shakeup at Nickelodeon, with Brown Johnson leaving, had something to do with the revival of the project. Nick’s ratings are not good and something had to be done.

The fact that the web has proven that this has an audience makes it easier for the suits to take a chance on it.

It’s all about having an audience. If you can create something that has one, people with money will beat a path to your door.

Like - 1 others like this comment

Mapache said, on 9/8/2012 3:38:00 PM

It’s happening. Even after the horrible things things cartoon brew readers said about Nickelodeon on the comments. :)

Kudos. This has a lot of potencial.

Like

Erik Butter said, on 9/8/2012 3:42:00 PM

I hope it works out, but i guess Nickelodeon is a little scared of creative people. So i wonder how long this will last.

Like

Deaniac said, on 9/8/2012 7:07:00 PM

I absolutely loved the PigGoatBananaMantis trailer, so this makes me very happy indeed. It’s comforting to know that Nick is taking more creative risks (especially after their recent management shake-up) and is giving this project a second chance.

I’ll definitely be rooting for this to make it past development; it’s high time Nick have a another ORIGINAL cartoon on their network. Who knows? Maybe it’ll knock Spongebob down a few pegs.

Like

Eman said, on 9/8/2012 7:33:00 PM

Oh thank God.
Maybe Nick isn’t as incredibly stupid as they’ve acted over the past decade.

Spongebob’s already been milked to complete zombification, they only gave Kora 2 short seasons, Fairly odd parents is in the same boat as Spongebob, and the Dreamworks shows lack the charm of the films.

I honestly don’t know how they’ve survived this long on such few series.

Like

James said, on 9/8/2012 10:27:00 PM

So Cartoon Brew may have helped revived this cartoon? That deserves a round of applause!

Hopefully Nick able to give Cross, Cooper, and Ryan the shot they deserve next time around.

Like

Frank Panucci said, on 9/8/2012 10:47:00 PM

Re:
“So now we are going back into development to try and make it work. “

Wha? The teaser/trailer as-is works like crazy.

PigGoat BananaMantis is the best obscure member of the Avengers, if you overlook the gratuitous cleavage and goofy mysticism.

Like

A few weeks ago, I posted a teaser trailer for PigGoat BananaMantis!, a project developed for Nickelodeon by Dave Cooper and Johnny Ryan, and animated by Nick Cross.

Nickelodeon had already passed on the project at that point, but after the enthusiastic reaction it received online (including on Cartoon Brew), they’ve revived the idea. Johnny Ryan told VICE magazine yesterday:

[Nickelodeon] helped us make this little teaser trailer cartoon. They really liked the way it turned out and wanted to go on to the next step and develop a pilot. We wrote and storyboarded a pilot episode which they didn’t like so they wound up passing on the whole thing. Fast forward a few months later and animator Nick Cross posted the original cartoon on his site where it got a really positive response. I think this made Nickelodeon rethink their decision and they decided to revive the project.

So now we are going back into development to try and make it work. We haven’t really worked out all the details yet as far as how many episodes and all that stuff. I only just found out that they wanted to try this thing again yesterday.

Today we bring you our weekly sampler of cool youth media and marketing gigs. If your company has an open position in the youth media or marketing space, we encourage you to join the Ypulse LinkedIn group, if you haven’t yet, and post there for... Read the rest of this post

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Nickelodeon announced today a new animated shorts program designed to develop comedy-driven content. According to the press release:

As part of the program, ten, 60 second shorts will be made with the potential of becoming long-form animated comedy series which will air on the network or Nick.com.

Created to expand on Nickelodeon’s animation comedy development slate, the shorts program is designed to attract new talent to develop both artist and comedian-driven shorts. Ideas will be solicited from in-house and outside talent including artists, designers, writers and directors who will be provided artistic support to produce their short depending on their level of experience. In addition, selected comedians will be partnered up with the artistic and production support necessary to complete their short.

Guidelines for those interested in participating in the program are posted here. All animation styles and techniques are encouraged from 2D to digital 2D, stop motion, CG or mixed media. The deadline for entries is March 30 at 6 p.m. PT. The animated shorts will be produced at the Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, Calif. CLICK HERE to read the complete press release.

Cartoon Brew | Permalink | No comment | Post tags: nickelodeon

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The second third episode of Nickelodeon’s new Avatar spin-off The Legend of Korra aired this morning. The show was creaed by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. If you’ve been watching, share your thoughts on the first few episodes.

Cartoon Brew | Permalink | 5 comments | Post tags: Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, nickelodeon, The Legend of Korra

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© Nickelodeon; no reuse without permission.

© Nickelodeon; no reuse without permission.

Mathematician and video-maker Vi Hart exposes the mathematical impossibility of SpongeBob Squarepants pineapple:

Cartoon Brew: Leading the Animation Conversation | Permalink | No comment | Post tags: nickelodeon, SpongeBob Squarepants

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