Writer looking to direct / collab / advice on pipeline experience

Looking for pipeline experience

So I pitched my first feature animated film to a producer friend on and it went really well. I mean it will still take 5-10 years.

The problem? My friend is a live action producer. She’s still an experienced producer but she was like no one will want me on this film because what does a live action know about animation?

She also said while it’s definitely sellable and strong and I’m going to aim to write both a novel and a screenplay, I don’t have the experience to be an animation co-director (which like, fair).

And while I don’t think directing is the end all be all I still really want to assistant direct it.

I don’t want to go to animation school. And I have experience directing. Granted it’s not animation experience.

So I figure it’s time I get that. Whether I fund it on my own or better yet she helps me raise money, I want to start building up experience.

My ultimate plan is:

1. finish editing my 1 pager
2. finish editing the treatment
3. finish editing script and novel
4. finish and record the original music
5. start releasing either shorts or the book or a music video. I really want people to have time falling for the characters on social media
6. make the full feature

But separately than that I’m wondering how I learn the pipeline? I’m willing to work for free and or cheap virtually assisting and shadowing animation directors and producers. Do I take a community college class? I’m an intermediate level artist and very beginner animation wise.

I’m not interested in working on total beginner level stuff as I think a lot of my live action experience brings something to the table. I’m definitely open to work exchanges, like you do this for me on my piece then I help you with this on yours.

I’m not exactly in a rush cause my focus is on my health and finessing my own script. This post is like advice slash people looking for the schools I have to offer.

I’d also love any book recommendations to teach about the pipeline.

My script is all about disability and a big part of why I feel I need to be one of the directors (albeit the one lower on the totem pole) is the stories about disabled characters are more impactful in my opinion when they are told by disabled folks. Is that a generalization? Sure. And don’t get my wrong, most of the head directors I’m considering are not disabled precisely because disabled people have only recently got access to creative spaces so most of us don’t have competitive resumes.

Right now my work is on two major streamers but that’s as an actor.

Anyways. Love to hear tips.

Also to be clear when I make my actual stuff it will be a mix of work trade collabs and pay. Not there yet tho.