In this episode I’m joined by illustrator, musician, and teaching artist Kevin Cross. We discuss various aspects of making art for the all ages market.
We ponder what styles and stories tend to reach all ages markets and which presents multiple challenges as a creator. Also: how to face the doubt that some parents have when some things seem on-the-surface not as kid friendly while those same factors (like monsters, vampires, or talking fish) are genuinely appealing to the intended kids audience. Pushing buttons takes risks, how do you keep the exciting fun and fantasy in your all ages story without alienating the parents which are also your clients?
Part 1 of our talk is in this episode of the Polytechnicast. Part 2 is (or soon will be) available at High Adventures In Illustration!
- Kevin Cross Illustration
- Kevin Cross on Twitter
- Kevin’s Countdown to Halloween
- Childrens Book Market Thoughts by Morrie Sendak (creator of Where the Wild Things Are)
- TV Tropes Rebellious Spirit
- Nihao Kai Lan (educational cartoon targeting a young audience)
- Wendy and Marvin from the Superfriends (A surprise I learned while assembling show notes: evidently they’ve re-appeared as caretakers in Teen Titans?!)
- Classic series pushing the envelope of “safe”: Jonny Quest
- Kate Shields Stenzinger (childhood development specialist)
- Spongebob Squarepants: successful at serving all ages humor
- List of Sesame Street Monsters
Follow Rob on Twitter or his blog at Interactive-Storyteller.com
