A Message From The Masters

Esteban Valdez
Aug 9, 2017 · 1 min read

We often tend to look at the new, the trendy, and the fashionable when it comes to inspiration. But, I think we can learn a lot from the masters.

At home, I have their quotes tacked up on my wall surrounding my desk.

Akira Kurosawa had a message for young film directors…

“… If you genuinely want to make films, then write screenplays. All you need to write a script is paper and pencil.”

Legendary animator Art Babbitt would say…

“If you can’t draw — forget it. You’re an actor without arms or legs.”

Writing helps you to understand structure and cinema.

Drawing helps you to understand life and get more believability.

So, when it comes to animation filmmaking, I would add you learn to write and to draw… Learn to write and draw well.

Esteban Valdez

Written by

A 20-year practitioner of hand drawn animation, creating and producing 2D animated content for various media platforms. Founder of Echo Bridge.

Script To Screen

“Script to Screen” (STS) is a monthly blog on the Art and Business of Animation, and general thoughts on the animation industry at large. Formerly the official blog of the animation studio, Echo Bridge, STS, is now its own independent platform.

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