It was a real treat sitting down with Mike Manor, a powerhouse of creative energy in the indie animation world. Mike’s known for his pixel-art-driven animations, unique storytelling, and voice acting chops. His short Beantown: Trial by Fire made waves in 2025, landing official selections at both Pictoplasma and Ottawa International Animation Festivals. On top of that, he’s in active development with Paramount and keeps the scene thriving with his Silver Lake Shorts podcast. Mike's journey from service jobs to studio pitches is a masterclass in self-made momentum.

What You'll Learn:

• How the chaos of working in coffee shops inspired a psychedelic take on animation
• Why fan art and riffing on known IPs can be a foot in the door to bigger opportunities
• The emotional tightrope of pitching original content in the animation industry
• How discomfort can be a fuel for creative breakthroughs
• Tips for aspiring animators on building presence and staying persistent
• The realities of balancing a creative life with financial survival
• The power of creative community and content-sharing in today's digital landscape

"You’ve gotta be okay with discomfort. If you wait to feel ready, you’ll probably never start." - Mike Manor

Mike’s take here really stuck with me. It’s a truth that echoes across all creative fields. Whether it’s pitching an idea, releasing a short, or even just sharing your work online, waiting for perfection is a trap. Mike’s career has been built on jumping in - often without a safety net - and learning on the way down. That willingness to be vulnerable is part of what makes his work feel so alive.

Overview:

Mike and I kicked off this episode chatting over our shared love/hate relationship with coffee and other “creative fuels.” But what started casual turned into one of the most honest and motivating convos I’ve had on the pod. We unpacked the grit it takes to build a name in animation, especially when you're working multiple jobs and hustling between deadlines. Mike’s approach to storytelling is grounded, weird, and deeply personal, all the good stuff. If you're an animator, creator, or just someone grinding to get their ideas out, this episode is for you.

Thanks again to Mike for jumping on and getting real about the highs and lows of the creative hustle. Keep an eye out for his upcoming projects, they're bound to shake things up in the best way.

- Carl Cleanthes