Animation has been a popular medium to adapt stories for years. Still, the past decade has seen an increased surge in the amount of adult-aimed animated projects in what has become a much more competitive market.
The days in which The Simpsons, South Park, and Family Guy are the main adult animated series are a thing of the past as new titles in the wheelhouse are being announced on a near-daily basis. Now there are so many titles that Solar Opposites, Rick and Morty, Invincible, Castlevania, Central Park, Disenchantment, and M.O.D.O.K. are merely a drop in the bucket for their genre.
With the market becoming more competitive but the audience for adult animation steadily growing, HBO Max and WarnerMedia Access have officially kicked off a new Animated Shorts Program which is aimed at helping underrepresented animators with ambitions to create and providing them a platform for which to showcase their talents.
Aaron Davidson, the Director of Comedy and Animation for HBO Max stated “So many of the world’s best animators got their start with an animated short. We’re proud to offer a space where creators that have yet to be discovered can nurture and share their ideas with the world while learning from and working with the very best storytellers the industry has to offer.”
Meanwhile, Karen Horne, WarnerMedia's SVP of Equity and Inclusion had the following to add. “The future of animation for mature audiences has never been more promising, and HBO Max is eager to discover artists with a distinctive creative lens who push the boundaries of primetime animation and creative storytelling in ways no one else is doing. We’re looking for unique visual artistry, originality, and characters that transport viewers into boundless, imagined worlds.”
What do you guys think of this new program? Is it something you're personally interested in checking out, or do you prefer the mainstream titles rather than shorts? Regardless of your take, be sure to share your thoughts in the comments!
Submissions are free for applicants 18 and over and you can apply here starting today and ending on October 24th.