Inside Animation, TV, and Gaming Culture with Mike Manor
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.
Here’s a glimpse of 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
Over 35 years, he’s resisted offers to sell, stayed independent, and prioritized creative integrity over short-term profits. Alain reminds us that sustainable success isn’t built on greed but on vision, resilience, and obsessing over the craft. It’s a message all creatives should take to heart, especially in a time where shortcuts and surface-level engagement are so common.
In this episode…
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.
Until next time,
Carl Cleanthes
Resources Mentioned in this episode:
Sponsor for this episode...
This episode is brought to you by Epic Made.
Epic Made creates memorable animation, digital art, and graphic design to elevate brands.
They are a collective of talented artists across a multitude of disciplines who can handle the creativity and communication of any project.
Epic Made has created commercials, key art, social content, and more for leading entertainment brands such as the SYFY Network and Nickelodeon.
To learn more, go to www.epic-made.com or send an email to hey@getepicmade.com.