Netflix streaming service surpassed 137 million global subscribers in October, reports that 60% of its subscribers – around 82 million people – watch kids and family content monthly, so the demand for animation content is real.

Rising as Disney’s biggest competitor

Netflix have commissioned, produced, and distributed a lot of animation. The streaming service has announced possibly the largest-ever production slate for an animation producer in 2020 and 2021. Obviously, Netflix makes it very clear about the company’s animation strategy. Netflix said it’s just get started producing animation for their audience. However, we already see the streaming company rising as the key competitor of Disney in the near future. The fact is that Netflix overtakes Disney in 2019 Annie Award Nominations. Netflix took the lead over Disney in animation films with 37 nominations compared to Disney’s 28 nominations.

No traditional or rigid rules

Many traditional animation studio choose the technique that they have the most advantages. Then they would make all the films and be loyal with that techniques. Their content and team structure would be adapted in order to take full advantage of their technique.

However, Netflix doesn’t play such conventional rules. Since it cooperate with studio and creator so no specific techniques would be more preferred in their process of filmmaking. The company is willing to embrace animation in all forms and techiniques.

Netflix isn’t bound by any of the rigid rules that define animation companies. It’s taking full freedom to produce animation that please their audience. It’s free to choose the techniques used to produce animation films. It could be cg (The Willoughbys, Over the Moon). It could be 2d (Klaus, My Father’s Dragon). And it could be stop motion technique (Pinocchio, Wendell & Wild).

Cooperating with original content creators

Rather than licensing as much animation as possible from third-party producers except for Disney, Netflix is taking an offensive position and bringing animation production under its own control.
Netflix’s content strategy is set clear than ever. It would produce innovative and original animation content by collaborating with amazing content creators.

Notably, many of its announced projects are original ideas. Netflix announced recently true creator-driven slate with a list of the top A-list creators such as Craig McCracken, Nora Twomey, Henry Selick, Glen Keane, Chris Williams, Sergio Pablo and Guillermo del Toro. They are the who’s who of the animation industry. Not only does it require deep pockets, it also requires a different strategy than the rest of Hollywood.

willoughbys-Animation

Source: The Willoughbys – Netflix Slate 2020

Industry creators have been trained to suffer from lots of criticism or even renew totally their original ideas before a studio commits to produce. However, thing’s changed. Most creators now would readily jump ship if they believed the studio would let them create and believe in their original ideas. Netflix, for the moment, is exactly that place.

Netflix’s philosophy about animation

Netflix’s philosophy about animation is different: “With our slate of global original animated feature films and series, we want to give families more moments to share the laughter, wonder and connection that comes from being immersed in a great story.” That philosophy is the root for why Netflix strategy to empower creators, and embrace all kinds of creators that “could tell unique and diverse stories that resonate with each and every Netflix family”.

 

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Reference Sources:

  1. Animation World Network: https://www.awn.com/
  2. Cartoon Brew – Technology: https://www.cartoonbrew.com/tech
  3. Befores & Afters – Visual effects and animation journalist: https://beforesandafters.com/
  4. Bloomberg News: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/
  5. Insider: https://www.insider.com/
  6. Blogspot: http://stevelincolnmovieblog.blogspot.com/2018/12/
  7. Denofgeek: https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/disneys-snow-white-the-risk-that-changed-filmmaking-forever/