American animé
Creators of U.S.-Japanese project will appear at Albuquerque Comic Con
There’s been tons of work. Lots of logistics. Sleepless nights.
But it’s all worth it for David Pinter and Samuel Dalton.
What started off as a dream has quickly become a reality.
At times, the duo can’t believe it. They are the masterminds behind the animated comic “Indigo Ignited.”
And the next step of turning it into an animé series is on its way.
“We finished pre-production on the pilot,” Pinter says. “We’re moving forward on production, which is being done in Japan.”
Pinter says the series is a postapocalyptic dark fantasy animé/comic book.
The series follows Kieran, who along with his comrades is forced to embark on a journey to explore a destroyed world that is engulfed in fear and bloodshed.
It takes the audience on a psychological journey that prompts difficult societal questions and leaves a lasting impact on viewers, having them questioning the dichotomy of right and wrong.
Pinter is the writer of the series, while Dalton draws the comic.
The two have worked for more than two years on the project, and when they thought about turning the comic into an animé series, they wanted it done right.
“Japan is the place for animé,” Dalton says. “We searched for a way to break into the industry there. Luckily, we found some Americans who were living in Japan and they had some connections. We wanted it to be very traditional in the animé style.”
Animé is Japanese hand-drawn animation.
It is known for its colorful, very stylized graphics.
Dalton says the process in getting the attention for a Japanese artist to draw the series was quite an undertaking.
“In America, we’re not known for animé at all,” he says. “Especially traditional. We want to become the first American animé project. It’s a joint effort between us and the Japanese artists.”
A few months ago, the pair traveled to Japan to tie up the remaining details.
While in Japan, they thought about the eight months of negotiating.
Pinter also says the pair got 38 no’s before getting one yes.
The pilot is going to get done for under $100,000.
“It was all worth it, and we’d do it again,” Pinter says. “We found some investors who believe in our project and the potential.”
Creatively, the pair remain in control but also give some room for artistry.
“There are times we have to pull back a little and look at the big picture,” Pinter says.
The pair have hired voice actors but are going to unveil them when they appear at the Albuquerque Comic Con in January.
“Indigo Ignited” is going to have a presence, and Pinter and Dalton hope to have a piece ready for people to see.
More information on the series can be found at indigoignited.com.
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