Animated series writers adapt to their environment

Written by Ashley Wehrs, Image Courtesy of SCAD AnimationFest

SCAD’s fourth annual AnimationFest kicked off virtually Sept. 25, connecting creatives of different disciplines from all around the country. “The Writers Guild Foundation: Writing for Animated Series” panel, began at 3 p.m. EST as the eighth event of the day. The panel featured three prominent animated series writers, including Kelly Galuska of “Big Mouth” and “BoJack Horseman,” Charles Murray of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Luke Cage” and Katie Crown of “Bob’s Burgers.” Lauren O’Connor, a librarian for the Writers Guild Foundation and former “Guests and Gusto” guest, along with Eric Shaw, a SCAD Professor of animation, moderated the event.

Panelists shared their approaches to entering the industry, the unspoken rules of adult animation and improving their writing. 

There is no single process to becoming a staff writer or joining the animation industry. “In terms of animation, it was a lucky accident for me. I got a job on “BoJack”’ Galuska said. Prior to “BoJack,” Galuska worked on a live action series.

Murray studied two semesters at film school before entering the industry. He started his first staff writer job at 37 years old. “I’m a big believer in the circle that’s around you versus the circle that’s above you,” Murray said. “When I look at the people who I talk to about writing, they were all assistants when I was [an] assistant.” Murray has found his relationships to be instrumental in getting jobs, recalling about two to have come through representation. “You’re all in the struggle together. They get ahead by discovering you, and you get ahead by being discovered,” Murray said.

Contrarily, Crown always wanted to be a performer and was involved in the performance industry. Her accumulation of 51 acting credits have greatly informed her creation of characters and how she incorporates comedy into her writing. Through the connections she gained while performing, she was able to receive support with her writing career.

“Writers’ rooms are like these inadvertent therapy sessions.”

Katie Crown

The differences between live action and animated series was difficult to narrow down. “For us on Clone Wars, we got together for ten days and broke what we thought would be the season. We didn’t really go in depth like you would live action,” Murray said. “When you watch season five, the first four episodes might not tie in with the last four episodes.”

Galuska’s transition from live action to animation influenced the way she pitches. “I’m maybe one of two [in the writers’ room] that is not a performer,” Galuska said. This change in environment inspired her to take a few improv classes and become more comfortable getting into character.

When a student questioned the unwritten rules of adult animation, the writers called attention to the visual contributors. “I think there is a misconception that you can write whatever you want,” Galuska said. “There are people who have to draw it.” Murray focused on his experience with limited assets in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” “They would give you a book for the assets that they had,” Murray said. “Putting a character in a different costume for every scene becomes a problem for the animator.”

Although each panelist has earned a long series of writing credits, each continuously strives to improve their skills. The panelists pushed the importance of writing frequently and sharing it. “A variety of people reading your stuff is helpful and you may not agree with the note but it may be something worth looking at,” Galuska said. “[If someone is struggling to] be clear about a note, be clear about the emotion they’re giving the note with,” Murray said.

Crown’s experience in the “Bob’s Burgers” writers’ room is often a series of nonstop pitches and putting yourself on display. The vulnerability of pitching has led to free-flowing ideas and mutual understanding.  “A lot of people in our room will preface the pitch with ‘Dumb pitch but-” Crown said.

“A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Writers Guild Foundation’s mission is to preserve and promote the history and craft of writing for the screen,” according to the Writers Guild Foundation website. The Writers Guild Foundation public resources can be found at wgfoundation.org, including bi-weekly virtual library Zoom sessions.