246 | Do I Need to Self-Produce to Sell My Writing? (ft. Emily Brundige)
Apr 24, 2025
01:09:33
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Quick takeaways
Emily Brundage's journey from frustration with traditional pitching to creating her animated series 'Goldie' showcases the impact of self-producing work.
The podcast discusses the urgent pressures faced by creators in the animation industry to complete unique concepts before competitors can intervene.
Brundage emphasizes the importance of fair compensation and community support among animators, highlighting widespread inequities in the creative economy.
Deep dives
Journey into Animation
Emily Brundage, an animation writer and showrunner, began her career with the YouTube series Pubertina, which humorously addressed puberty and garnered over 22 million views. She has since developed shows for major networks like Disney and Nickelodeon, earning a reputation for merging quirky humor with emotional depth. Her latest project, an original animated series Goldie, premiered on Apple TV Plus, highlighting her focus on creating relatable and diverse characters. The show incorporates elements that challenge traditional portrayals of young girls, particularly in their emotional expressions.
The Pressure of Pitching
Brundage discusses the urgency and pressure she feels while developing new shows, expressing anxiety that her concepts may be preempted by similar projects if not completed in time. This sense of urgency is reflected in her ongoing work on a new animated series and a live-action pitch, as she navigates the competitive landscape of the entertainment industry. Her experiences highlight the struggles of balancing creativity with the realities of market dynamics, especially in a fast-moving industry. As she anticipates the outcome of her pitches, she conveys a blend of excitement and the existential tension of being a creator.
Developing the Artist's Voice
Brundage emphasizes the importance of self-development and understanding one's unique skills in the industry, noting her decision to write a book focused on developing animated shows. This guide aims to share insights with aspiring creators and streamline the development process, showcasing her expertise in a way that balances pedagogy and practical application. Through the writing process, she encourages collaboration and transparency in creative endeavors, insisting on compensating those involved, regardless of the budget constraints. Her approach reinforces the value of community and mutual support in the animation industry.
Challenges of the Animation Industry
The conversation dives into the complexities and challenges of the animation sector, particularly regarding compensation and creative control. Brundage reflects on the discrepancies in pay between live action and animation roles, pointing out the undervaluation of animated content creators, despite the significant effort required. She links this inequity to historical developments in the industry and discusses her advocacy for higher pay for writers and artists. This dialogue serves to highlight broader issues within the creative economy and the ongoing struggle for fair treatment of creators.
Finding Value Beyond Success
Brundage shares her personal journey of self-acceptance, particularly in light of past rejections and setbacks she faced in her career. She acknowledges the emotional weight of such experiences and the lessons learned about resilience and maintaining a sense of self-worth. Brundage encourages creators to find fulfillment in their passion projects and to view setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than definitive measures of their value. Ultimately, her narrative reveals the importance of self-empathy and perseverance in achieving one’s creative ambitions.
Emily Brundige was tired of waiting around for gatekeepers to say yes. So, she stopped asking.
In this candid conversation with Lorien, Emily shares how her frustration with the traditional hurry-up-and-wait pitch process pushed her to self-produce an animated short. That project — born from passion, resourcefulness, and a refusal to wait — eventually became GOLDIE, a series now on Apple TV+.
They dive into what it actually takes to make your own work, how festivals and buzz helped build momentum, and why animation is such a powerful space for self-starters. If you've ever felt stuck in development limbo, this episode might just give you the spark (and strategy) to make your move.
