Is there a way...?

[ReN0]

to contribute to Flash without artistic talent?

I know flash animations are becoming larger and larger nowadays and I would assume it's harder and harder for one lone animator to craft everything in their epic animation. That's when I wonder if others come in. I dabbled in flash in my high school days and I was horrible. Completely and utterly terrible. I couldn't draw, all I could do were stupid tweens and my animations just reeked of shit.

However, I'm in college now and I'm thinking is there a need for others to assist the Flash animators? I'm not talking artistically but rather creatively, conceptually. I can imagine that not all flash authors are not brilliant writers, maybe they can only be exceptional in the actual art part of the Flash. But is there a way for, let's say, a writer to collaborate with a flash artist? Granted, I'm by no means a skilled writer or that if I helped an artist, I would create a great animation. I'm just wondering is there anyway for a person that wants to possibly help write find an animator or crew or someone to assist. Or even is there a way for me to work with other possible writers and we collaborate together and improve our skills!

Just after visiting Newgrounds for so many years, I feel a want to contribute. I know I can't do it artistically so I wish to help in other ways. If any of you could help me figure out how to do that, that would be much appreciated.

Thanks everybody.

[Kuoke]

You could learn to code.

If you can't animate, you're probably more mentally logic based, so you might actually be better at coding. But if you fail at both...

[4urentertainment]

Yeah if I remember correctly, artistic talented people are right brain dominant, while intellectual (mathematical and stuff) talented people are left brain dominant. So I guess you're a left brain, try coding. Then you can actually contribute in a much better way than telling stories to animators.

[ThePeasant]

Most flash animators come up with their own ideas and use those. If ever there's a lack, there are an obscenely large amount of people (including myself) who can/do offer ideas for what to animate. Unless you have incredibly good ideas AND make a friend who animates (well), don't expect any of your ideas to make it into a flash without creating them yourself.

That doesn't mean give up btw, that means go trolling around, looking for animators who want friends :D

Like the others say, coding is also something you could do - but that would be more for Games than Animations. Otherwise, people are always looking for Music if you are inclined towards that form of expression.

[ReN0]

Fair enough, fair enough, I figured coding would be something that a lot of people would say due to the fact that it's a big part of games at least. I mean, seeing as how I'm not math oriented though I can't say I would have too much luck in the process.

And I do happen to have some animator friends, however, they seem to be the types (at least right now) who do mainly their own material or work by themselves.

I just asked because as Flash Animations get larger and larger that it makes less sense for one person to do it all by himself. I guess I was just comparing it to TV shows, there is a creator of the show and let's just say he's the head writer too but he hires others along with him to contribute and take some of the slack off.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

[Denvish]

At 2/10/09 01:24 PM, ReN0 wrote: I just asked because as Flash Animations get larger and larger that it makes less sense for one person to do it all by himself. I guess I was just comparing it to TV shows, there is a creator of the show and let's just say he's the head writer too but he hires others along with him to contribute and take some of the slack off.

It's true for big companies, but the majority of Flash coders/artists are still working solo on their projects, or with a small group of friends, and they're not getting paid for it (maybe sponsorship, if they're good enough). If they're lucky enough to find employment using Flash, they work for a company that already has creative types on board (usually the graphic artists). You clearly feel you have a creative or inspirational streak, but you need to be able to offer something besides ideas - a practical skill of some kind... unless you're lucky enough to have the financial backing and people skills to start your own company.

If you really want to get involved, bite the bullet and start working to master either the graphics side or the coding one. Even a small amount of skill would be appreciated by potential co-authors, and people with ideas but no skills are not going to find many Flash users interested in working with them.

Sorry to put a downer, but I've seen to many 'idea people' shot down in flames because that's all they have to offer.

[ReN0]

At 2/10/09 02:45 PM, Denvish wrote:

At 2/10/09 01:24 PM, ReN0 wrote: I just asked because as Flash Animations get larger and larger that it makes less sense for one person to do it all by himself. I guess I was just comparing it to TV shows, there is a creator of the show and let's just say he's the head writer too but he hires others along with him to contribute and take some of the slack off.

It's true for big companies, but the majority of Flash coders/artists are still working solo on their projects, or with a small group of friends, and they're not getting paid for it (maybe sponsorship, if they're good enough). If they're lucky enough to find employment using Flash, they work for a company that already has creative types on board (usually the graphic artists). You clearly feel you have a creative or inspirational streak, but you need to be able to offer something besides ideas - a practical skill of some kind... unless you're lucky enough to have the financial backing and people skills to start your own company.

If you really want to get involved, bite the bullet and start working to master either the graphics side or the coding one. Even a small amount of skill would be appreciated by potential co-authors, and people with ideas but no skills are not going to find many Flash users interested in working with them.

Sorry to put a downer, but I've seen to many 'idea people' shot down in flames because that's all they have to offer.

A downer? You probably offered the best advice thus far, not to say anything bad about everyone else though. I realized what I said was kind of vague, and really wasn't doing much to help, and to be honest, I don't have anything to back me in saying "I'm so creative, I'm so talented". I was just wondering of ways to get involved in the Newgrounds community and you guys gave good suggestions on how. Obviously saying I'm not the best at something doesn't mean much, I'm eighteen years old, I have plenty of time to learn and improve and I can't already give it up before I even try it out. Makes perfect sense to me and thanks guys for what you have to say.

And possibly, possibly, expect something from me in the future! Time to learn.

[TheSongSalad]

follow some flash tutorials, and work on making a game. they are less focused on graphics. while they are still important, some of the best games are made of circles and squares.

if games arn't your cup of tea, you can make music and post it on the site, or you could make music for one of you flash-making friends. there's a lot you can do. or maybe write well thought out reviews for other flashes.

[Denvish]

At 2/10/09 04:43 PM, ReN0 wrote: I'm eighteen years old, I have plenty of time to learn and improve and I can't already give it up before I even try it out. Makes perfect sense to me and thanks guys for what you have to say.

And possibly, possibly, expect something from me in the future! Time to learn.

Well, that kind of attitude is a great start. I don't know too much about the artistic side myself, but there are plenty of people in here who do, and would most likely be happy to help. I supect that the coding side is not going to be your cup of tea, but if I'm wrong, check out the Basic and Useful Links section of AS: Main for some beginner tutorials.