The state and future of animation

[EricJ]

What, an apology for wondering whether he should watch Boss Baby?
(There is no excuse.)

[Ben]

No…I was carrying on the Python line…

[GeffreyDrogon]

What do you think about the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film The Bad Guys? I think it looks promising, and I definitely like the shading.

[GeffreyDrogon]

In animation, how does experience doesn't mean excellence? I've been thinking about that term, in relation to people in that industry like Richard Rich and John H. WIlliams, but doesn't excellence come from experience?

[Ben]

Clearly…not always.

[GeffreyDrogon]

Are there any ways to determine how popular an animated film is?

[Ben]

Apart from the really obvious one…

[GeffreyDrogon]

If Shrek was so successful, then why didn't animated films with realistic character models become the norm?

[GeffreyDrogon]

When do you think DreamWorks Animation was better off financially? When it was independent, or owned by another studio?

[Ben]

Shrek was realistic?

[GeffreyDrogon]

I'm talking about the CGI models in Shrek, particularly those of the humans like Fiona (in her human form), and the proportioning.

[EricJ]

I...don't think THOSE were the reason it was popular.

("Then why did--"...Oh, come on, you know.)

[GeffreyDrogon]

Why do people like Happily N'Ever After despite it being a cheaply animated, poorly-written movie trying to replicate the success of Shrek?

[GeffreyDrogon]

Are theatrical independent animated films dead? Is the future of independent animation streaming, or will there never be a great independent animated film that does impressively at the box office?

[Ben]

Nobody likes Happily N'Ever After.