Book Review: “BoJack Horseman: The Art Before The Horse”

Should be required reading at CalArts.

 

Netflix probably hasn’t quite launched a franchise yet that has the merchandising arm of say The Simpsons or even Rick and Morty just yet. Stranger Things, maybe, but certainly not in sheer value just yet. But, when it comes to adult animation, the streaming service is at, or near, the top in terms of production and they continued that this year, already with new series like Disenchantment and Paradise PD and returning series with BoJack Horseman set to stream on September 14th and Big Mouth and F is for Family expected to come shortly after, the streaming service is a great home for original adult animation.

Wanna know how to get YOUR adult animated series on to Netflix? Get BoJack Horseman: The Art Before the Horse. Forget about the fact that the release is an exquisite behind-the-scenes look at the most thought-provoking animated series to release since South Park. It features interviews, anecdotes, and sketches from the show’s producers talking about the show’s most popular episodes and gives insight on everything from character designs to backgrounds and everything in between. But, if you are someone trying to get an adult animated series on to Netflix, get this.

Included in each copy, a blueprint on how to put together a pitch bible for your series, and even the types of correspondence you should be having with people who work for Netflix that could get you picked up sooner rather than later. You’ll see effective templates on scripts, dialogue, notes on characters, the whole nine yards. It’s really a treasure trove for the up and coming producers of the world looking for a break. Wanna know how to produce one of the greatest animated episodes of all time, regardless of platform, in the case of “Fish Out Of Water”? It’s all here.

If you’re a BoJack fan, yes. If you subscribe to Netflix, yes. If you want to get into the television business, I haven’t seen a better manual on how to do it than BoJack Horseman: The Art Before The Horse. I get people emailing me pitches on original animated series all the time, “Do you have connections to networks?” and whatnot. The answer is, yes, but you have to have the juice first and this book gets you the juice you need to make effective pitches for original adult animation.

IGN.com has a behind-the-scenes look at BoJack Horseman: The Art Before the Horse here.