Discussion Question From Idea to Reality: My Bloom Journey - The realisation

[Anderson-Mark-Ian]

Hi everyone,

I was asked a question today that genuinely made me stop and reflect on how far Bloom has come.

The question was simple:

"What do you have so far?"

As I started listing everything that has been developed, I realised just how much progress has been made from what began as one person, a laptop, a lot of patience, and an unwavering determination to learn an industry I knew very little about.

Starting completely from scratch, I now have:

• One-page pitch
• Creator statement
• Character bible
• Master story arc & world bible
• Two book adaptations (adult and children's versions)
• Budget justification
• Festival strategy
• Funding budget breakdown
• Promotional plan
• "Why Me?" statement
• Equity structure
• Chain of title & rights statement
• Writer biography
• Investor & manager deck
• Development phase overview
• Proof-of-concept production plan
• Character sample artwork
• Original sample soundtrack (released)
• Visual style direction
• Song Moments companion document
• Director's Cut version
• Full story narrative (without songs)
• Complete industry-format screenplay
• Completed logline review
• Completed Phase 1 script review

Looking at that list was a real eye-opener. What started as an idea has evolved into an animation project that is approaching production readiness.

The one major piece still missing is the animated proof-of-concept. Like many independent creators working on an equity-only basis, I've found it challenging to bring animators and artists on board without production funding already secured.

Along the way, I've also been fortunate to gain some encouraging industry traction. I've been interviewed for Before the Credits through FilmPlatforms, with publication pending, and I was recently awarded a 60-minute consultation with an industry executive through Stage 32. I'm deliberately taking the time to prepare for that conversation so I can maximise the value of the opportunity.

So I'd love to hear from those who have been in a similar position:

What would your next move be?

How would you approach attracting emerging animators or animation teams to a project at this stage?

So far, I've reached out through:

• Universities and colleges
• National Lottery funding channels
• Stage 32
• FilmPlatforms
• Social media networks

Any advice, recommendations, or lessons learned would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for taking the time to read, and for the support this community continues to provide along the way.

Mark

 

[Anderson-Mark-Ian]

Bloom: Update (October 2026)

It’s been a busy few weeks for Bloom, so here’s where things stand.

The script:

Working with a script consultant on a Phase 1 review of the opening pages taught me a lot about structure, pacing and clarity. I’ve since carried those same principles through the entire screenplay, and the full draft now runs at about 95 minutes, which feels right for the story and for a family animated feature.

The package:

The pitch package has grown into a full development pack: story and world bibles, character sheets, the screenplay, nine original songs, a chain of title and rights statement, budget scales including the UK animation tax credit, and a packaging and route-to-market plan, so a producer can see the whole picture in one place.

The proof of concept:

The next big step is a short animated sequence. Thank you to @Ryan and @MICA for your advice on my “Before the Credits” feature. I’ve taken both on board:

• The sequence will focus on the emotional connection between Thea and William and how the music carries it, rather than a polished trailer.
• Before building anything, I’ll ask a small number of animation producers what they’d actually need to see before a first meeting.

I’ve also reached out to UK animation courses about Bloom as a potential student live brief, and an Arts Council England development funding application is awaiting a decision.

Next steps:

• Proof-of-concept planning around the “Find Me” sequence
• First conversations with family-animation producers
• Respected screenplay competitions in 2027

A question for the community though;

For those who’ve been through it, what did you find most convinced a producer to take a first meeting: a script, a pitch deck, a short animated test, or something else entirely?

Thanks to everyone here for the support, and to the FilmPlatforms team for featuring Bloom in “Before the Credits”.