Pitch Party 2008 Voting Underway

Wednesday, June 18, 2008
By: Ramin Zahed

Animation Magazine’s 7th Annual Pitch Party is on and you can now click here: www.animationmagazine.net/pitch_party_08_vote.html to view all of this year’s entries and vote for your favorites. All pitches are presented as 1/6th-page advertisements that offer new ideas for animated shows that that just may get picked up for development. Results of the online reader poll will be announced along with the picks of our distinguished panel of industry judges and AniMag staffers in the August issue of Animation Magazine (which has a big bonus distribution at Comic-Con in San Diego).

The Pitch Party offers independent artists an opportunity to advertise their animated properties for a greatly reduced rate in the pages of Animation Magazine, which is read all over the world. Each of our esteemed judges then review all entries and collectively select one winner for the opportunity to pitch their idea to the participating execs of their choice.

Here is this year’s awesome judge lineup:
Karen Toliver, VP of production, 20th Century Fox Animation
David Wiebe, director of Content at YTV, Corus Entertainment
Alex Schwartz, Damon Ross and Chris Kuser, DreamWorks Animation Development Team
Daniel Wineman, director of original series and co-productions, Jetix Europe
Julie Kane-Ritsch, exec VP, The Gotham Group
Roland Poindexter, VP of current series animation, Nickelodeon
Rob Renzetti, supervising producer, Cartoon Network’s Cartoonstitute
Matt Harrigan, head of program development, Adult Swim
(Click Here to View the Judges and our Rules and Regulations)

The winners of this year’s event will get to pitch their project to the judge of their choice in person!

As an online voter, you too can help get someone noticed by the animation community and possibly get their big break! You only have one week to get your votes in, so get started today!

Reader Comments

• Tom Ramirez : Story Artist : Freelance

  Wednesday, June 18, 2008

  Kudos to \\\"Rocket\\\" and \\\"Cow Kitty\\\". You two look like my stiffest competition. CK\\\'s designs have great appeal. Plus, the lineless approach gives that extra fun quality.
  
  \\\"Rocket\\\" shows excellent competence in arranging forms and can grasp the concept without overloading on scenery or words. The ad had balance.
  
  
  Tom Ramirez
  Creator of \\\"bitter little raccoon\\\" & \\\"Yamako-chan Thinks You\\\'re Stupid\\\"

• Jason : Art Director :

  Thursday, June 19, 2008

  I\'m so happy see real \"pitches\" like the Texas Shooter & Knight & Gail. I review many pitches and in my opinion a pitch is rarely about the art, never about the graphic layout and always about the story! These two pitches show originality, story lines we can grow with AND great art!
  Good luck to all of you!

• Joey : Creative Writer : Bullshot Services

  Friday, June 20, 2008

  mm.. rocket look very appealing, and life like... but watch out for paddys pages... looks very cute and stylysed design,,, cheers

• Catherine : Art Designer : Caliber Arts

  Friday, June 20, 2008

  FUB ROCKS !!! HAROLDRY has good design sense.. paddys..couldnt agree more., capturing art sense.. any 1 f these, i gonna bet.

• bigshot :

  Friday, June 20, 2008

  Sure glad none of these people commenting are judges (or are they...yikes!!), otherwise it would be uninspired badly written puns winning everytime.

• Anonymous :

  Friday, June 20, 2008

  I have to agree with Jason. Texas Shooter is going take it-but Rocket will be second!

• Eey-Non-knee-mouse :

  Friday, June 20, 2008

  I don\'t know about Texas Shooter. The concept seems overdeveloped. Catchings is trying to give away too much info in too small a space which is a flaw I see in many current and past entries.
  
  The art though is superb. It truly reminds me of those over-exposed film reels of John Wayne flicks. The choice of pastels make it both feminine and rustic at once.
  
  However, I\'m much more a Clint Eastwood fan.

• Patty : Peppermint

  Friday, June 20, 2008

  I LOVE that doggie show..I think it\'s called Mutt.

• Sander : Freelancer :

  Friday, June 20, 2008

  Sign up the kid who came up \"Lerning is Fub\" that one has major potential!

• Lost : and Looking :

  Friday, June 20, 2008

  An Honest Breakdown:
  Stray would be a good short, TAG a good comic,Haroldry a good Childrens book, RIP Alice and Cow kitty could find a home, but no marketing appeal, Axeion could bea nice epic tale, My pet Zombie could find a home as well,Neh-Mia looks to be another good epic tale,And Evil Genius could find a home. This looks to be a good year, But in the Time of Fantasy epic movies and Avatar showing what a epic cartoon can do, If the marketing is there Axeion or Neh-Mia would be my picks, But I am more leaning to Axeion.

• Tom Ramirez : Story Artists : Freelance

  Friday, June 20, 2008

  As far as the contest goes, high concepts haven\\\'t done too well in the past. Unless it has a humorous bent, I doubt one of the epics will rank high. I think this may be what helped \\\"King of the Universe\\\" won last year. Then again, I still think it was a fluke.
  
  I\\\'ve tried the \\\"big pic\\\" method before in 2006 with \\\"Dead Nevada\\\" and it was barely noticed. This year, I\\\'m taking myself less serious seriously. I dug-up one of my more \\\"kiddie\\\" concepts and threw all my contempt for this shallow world into it. That\\\'s how I came up with the \\\"Bitter Little Raccoon\\\" ad.
  
  Then there was this Idea for a Samurai epic that I futzed with for... oh about 8 years. This group of traveling Samurai kept floating around in the ether like a movie cliche waiting to happen. Finally, I just decided to focus on one particular character and the idea flowed from there. I also realized that I didn\\\'t need to take Samurai too seriously either. Much of the Japanese theatre art of Kabuki was focused on outlandish costume and peculiar characters. I had already decided that Yamako-chan (my main character) was wise and strong, but unwitty and lacked feminine guile. Then I asked: Why is that? Maybe she was raised by wolves... OR ROCKS! Then she\\\'d at least be able to talk to rocks... and sand and mountains... even the ashes of her dead mother. The idea fits perfectly into Shintoism and opens many doors for humorous encounters with people who may wonder why she is throwing rocks at the Emperor\\\'s palace (The stones only wanted a closer look at the Son of Heaven, my Lord. Why? Can you not hear their requests? Then I suppose you take the ground you stand on for granted. You\\\'re stupid.)
  
  Hence, the title: \\\"Yamako-chan Thinks You\\\'re Stupid\\\"

• Jay : Concept Artist : BIGWIZ

  Friday, June 20, 2008

  Paddys Pages ! my bet.. all others suk...

• Nick : Art Student :

  Saturday, June 21, 2008

  Sam & Ella, comic play on words ( Salmonella), original, creative, tons of possibilities. Unique and different . Good designs with strong characters.

• Lucy : Parent :

  Saturday, June 21, 2008

  There is alot of talent shown, but I agree with the writer Nick, originality is what counts,and strong character\'s. Sam and Ella, seems to fit that mold. Their funny, different and also can be educational for kids. Many of the other character\'s are also good but are similar to what\'s already on T.V. with different variations to them,
  Children need to laugh and be entertained and that\'s what counts.
  Good luck to everyone, Remember the character\'s are for the children, that\'s what\'s most important.

• Frank : Creative :

  Saturday, June 21, 2008

  Here\'s an idea, besides the judges and viewers, Animation Magazine should have a group of children pick what they like.
  That would be very interesting.

• Kelly : Photographer :

  Saturday, June 21, 2008

  Thank you Eey-Non-knee-mouse for your kind criticism. I\'m new to this & I appreciate any advice presented in that way! your right about to many words. I had sent in a blurb & an ad-then AniMAg told me it can\'t be both. At the last minute I put the blurb on the ad-so that\'s what happened. Do you think that is reason enough for the judges to eliminate my entry?
  This year seems to have lots of great pitches, I\'m happy to be part of it & I wish everyone the best of luck!
  xo
  Kelly-Texas Shooter

• Eey-non-knee-mouse :

  Saturday, June 21, 2008

  Well, the blurb is exactly 30 words, but if you include the tagline, it\'s more. So it\'s up in the air. My advice for next time is to edit, edit, edit. Make the words as streamlined as possible. Or even try to make it poetic (see the haiku in Tom Ramirez\'s Yamako-chan ad).
  
  I know the 2005 winner, Leo Antolini won his pitch with only 11 words.

• Patti :

  Saturday, June 21, 2008

  I have to agree with the two other comments by Nick and Lucy. Cooking with Sam n\\\' Ella looks like it could be a BIG hit. It\\\'s original for sure and the storyline possibilities are endless. The characters are certainly strong and unique as well as having a fun educational value for the kids. Refreshingly entertaining!
  Good Luck to all!

• Eey-non-knee-mouse :

  Saturday, June 21, 2008

  I don\'t think a joke about cooking genitals is a good way to start a pitch regardless of the audience.
  
  No, really.

• Ann :

  Saturday, June 21, 2008

  Lighten up, it\'s only a joke!!!!!
  New and unique.
  I guess it\'s OK to shoot and so on!
  Again, Lighten Up.

• fyi: :

  Saturday, June 21, 2008

  The Texas Shooter is a photographer all about love & the arts.

• Fital : Creator : Fital LLC.

  Saturday, June 21, 2008

  I just read the comment section, and I am quite suprised to see that my characters /Pitch Ad called
  \"Cooking With Sam & Ella \" is creating some attention.
  So just to set the record straight:
  1-Sam & Ella-are two very unique, different and extremely comical characters.
  2-The gag line, was simply that a gag, a JOKE, only to make people laugh, my critic probally laughed too but won\'t admit it,
  3-(Anyone with common sense will realize this is not a show about cooking genitals-that is only a JOKE)
  4-Besides what\'s not mentioned is that my characters also address a very serious issue of obesity for all ages, in their own very comical way. So don\'t be so fast to judge.
  5- If my characters and Pitch Ad is attracting this attention , then it must be working.
  
  I wish everyone luck with their pitches and give them credit for entering and having this opportunity to show their work, regardless of who should win, because you never know what can come from this opportunity.
  Lets leave the Judging to the Judges, even if you have your favorite picked, then just vote, this is not the place to criticize anyones submission.
  Best of luck to all.
  Fital

• Eey-non-knee-mouse :

  Saturday, June 21, 2008

  Ann :
  Saturday, June 21, 2008
  Lighten up, it\\\'s only a joke!!!!!
  New and unique.
  I guess it\\\'s OK to shoot and so on!
  Again, Lighten Up.
  
  
  
  True, it IS a joke. However, I hardly feel pressured to \"lighten up.\" Criticism is important to artistic development and I\'m patiently waiting for someone to criticize my work so that I can make a better pitch next year.

• Eey-non-knee-mouse :

  Saturday, June 21, 2008

  ...and sorry, Frank. I did not laugh.
  
  Nice try, though.

• copgirl68 :

  Sunday, June 22, 2008

  I came to read the comments section and was intrigued to take a closer look at Sam n Ella to see what all the buzz was about. I have to admit, I myself, thought the play on words was an original and catchy idea. The characters are cute and funny. I also like the addressing the obesity issue as that is so prevalent in our society.
  Good luck to all entrants!

• Not : Laughing :

  Sunday, June 22, 2008

  I thought I would post Somthing quick...
  Here is a list as I see it:
  
  Good chance of winning:
  Tag, Bupi, Axeion, Meh-Hia,Zyclops, Working Heroes, Cow Kitty
  
  Shows that have a change but have no action toy appeal:
  Lemonade,Haroldry, Rip Alice,Big Foot, Scardy Kats,BLR, Insidous,Rocket,FUB, Knight,Superholiday,Rex, Midevil, 5 second, leroy live, My Zombie, Sally, Buttterfly, Boogie, Paddy, Aqua,Evil Genius, Stork, Wacky
  
  Good looking but not made for TV series:
  Pins Will fall, Stray, Happy Bunny, House of Woooo, Lohen,Danz warz
  
  These are just my thoughts. I based these on the current market of Animations, also on all the other areas a show makes money (toys, video games, VOD, DVD\\\'s etc)
  So good luck to everyone.

• Eey-non-knee-mouse :

  Monday, June 23, 2008

  I\'ve been told the same thing by a teacher: That a pitch is more marketable if it can be sold as an action toy.
  
  Well guess what, that\'s a marketing problem, not a creative problem. I don\'t see HELLO KITTY! struggling to find a place on the world\'s toy shelves and stationary. Nor is Sponge Bob wondering where his next endorsement deal will come from. If a show is commercially successful, then ancilary income is inevitable.

• Toan : Concept Artist / Designer :

  Monday, June 23, 2008

  Considering last year\'s winner, anything could be up for grabs at this point. I\'m not trying to talk down on last year\'s winner in any way, but I guess this industry has seen all that there is to see and do, therefore, the most original and yet marketable pitch that one can offer is probably the best. That and whoever makes it to the market finish line first, wins.
  
  The industry is running out of ideas fast, and it\'s up to us to try to do something about it. In the end, I\'m glad that folks that did enter the pitch party is actually trying to do something about it, instead of just sitting back and complaining how entertainment just \"sucks\" these days. I entered the Pitch Party (in hopes of getting recognized at all), but not expecting that \"golden throne\".

• Oh Jenz :) :

  Monday, June 23, 2008

  i think that alien that\\\'s dressed up like michael jackson in danz wars is hilarious. this looks more like a movie type concept than an animated tv show. come to think of it, it might even work well as a live action movie like men in black.

• Wendy : CG Artist :

  Monday, June 23, 2008

  My favorites are the ones that are space comedies like Rocket, DanzWarz and Space Punks. It would be fun to do those alien characters in CG.

• Nina : Art Director :

  Tuesday, June 24, 2008

  My favs were \\\'Cow Kitty\\\' and the afro character one, \\\'Toffee Brown\\\'. I think both seem to utilize a really great use of color, and the outline-less characters look pretty fun. Good luck to everyone!!

• NIcole :

  Wednesday, June 25, 2008

  I have to add my two cents about this Pitch Contest, First I wish everyone who entered good Luck. Especially my Dad .
  But after reading the comments, isn’t this contest suppose to be judged on originality,
  And the strength of a new and unique character to have lasting potential, and not spin offs of existing shows.
  I think it needs to be broken down into age groups; I think it’s very hard for a Judge who deals with an older target group like Adult Swim, to pick a pre-school character, and also the opposite applies.
  The contest rules state originality, and strong character driven properties.
  Not just the best artist, you can’t compare SpongBob against Spider man, yet both are excellent ,but for different age groups.
  I don’t see how the Judges can honestly choose a character, if different target groups are addressed.
  So that’s my two cents, good luck to all, and it’s just a thought for next year, maybe to break down the Pitch Ads for different age groups.
  Good luck everybody.

• SO FUNNY : DIRECTOR :

  Wednesday, June 25, 2008

  I never heard anything about the others winners, what happened to them anyway, for me this is just a bull**** to get some money from the participants, why don\'t you guys give them some prizes or money and make this bull**** a little more professional, when we going to see some kind of deal to the winners?

• Just : another : participant

  Wednesday, June 25, 2008

  Yes, this is called a contest; however the creators of the entries are also aware that this is an AD at a reduced rate. I have entered into this contest mainly because I will have my concept in one, if not the largest, animation magazines available. Yeah, winning would be cool, but being a part is cool too. By the way, there IS a prize, free entry, free press and being able to claim that your concept was appreciated enough to be called #1. I have seen a lot of banter to other contestants and their work, and I think it is sad. We are all in the same boat... we have passion for our own work, but at the same time, have no morals to appreciate other peoples passions for their work. There are so many different concepts and genre, this seemingly would be a difficult decision on the judges. Win or lose the contest, I feel really good about my decision on entering. I am really excited to find out the results and to see all of our works in print. Good luck to all the contestants and thank you for keeping the bar high. I can see the passion in ALL the one sheets and I wish everyone huge success... win or lose.

• John DeRance : Art Director :

  Friday, June 27, 2008

  I really liked one of last years runners-up, Night Mia, and was wondering what became of it?
  
  Haroldry is my favorite this year!

• Nadim Wood : student : www.woodillustrations.com

  Friday, June 27, 2008

  i think \"The Butterfly Prince\", and the \"Stork\" have great potential and meet the specs for a child relatable movie.

• Tom Johnson : Zyclops :

  Saturday, June 28, 2008

  After looking at all of the entries and closely reading the descriptions. Zyclops gets my vote. I looks very interesting and most of all easy to animate. I am guessing it will be a flash cartoon. Well, that is my two cents.

• M. A. out :

  Saturday, June 28, 2008

  As a working professional, i am a bit surprised just how uninformed most of these commentors are. While I dont wish to discourage anyone from entering these contests, they need to understand how pitches work and what judges look for. Design is a pretty big part but not necessarily one that makes or breaks the pitch IF the concept is original enough and \\or has a good tag line(among other variables as well).
  Hate to break it to some of you novices, but the pitches most are talking about here in this forum are very amateurish and extremely unoriginal. I suspect that its friends and family (of multiple ids) of some that are just trying to create their own buzz.... thats pretty transparent as you will see when the winner is announced and the mentioned pitches are nowhere near the top of the picks.
  Thats why last years winner wasnt well received by the non industry novices. The creators understood how to pitch and create unique interest with a unique design. It was done by professionals who understand pitching. Learn something for previous winners and apply it. You will have better results over the long run.
  Good luck to all!