‍Max Giraldo and Andrew Giraldo have been riding the rollercoaster in the animation industry since the summer of 2022. While it hasn’t been easy, they have learned some valuable lessons. The co-creators of the upcoming animated series “Gig Work” share the process of creating the show in the midst of industry shifts and why they think it may actually be better because of the drama.

A little background. In the past, streaming services offered lucrative contracts to animators to build their rosters and subscription base. Also, during the pandemic, when the TV and film industry had to jump through huge hoops to get back to work, animation teams and their talent were able to work remotely and keep production going. The prospects for animators were bright.

Flash forward to 2022 with the Warner Bros. and Discovery merger which led to dozens of shows being cancelled, including many in animation. This is around the point where Max Giraldo and Andrew Giraldo enter the scene. Unknown to Max and his cousin Andrew, they came up with the idea for “Gig Work” right in the middle of streaming corporate restructuring. 

Max was inspired by his cousin’s experience working as an Uber driver in Los Angeles, CA. Using the idea as a jumping-off point, they created a dark and dystopian action-adventure story with a comedic outlook—at a time when many animated shows were on the cutting block.

“Our inspiration came at a moment when fan-funded animation was proving to be a viable model with the success of indie shows like ‘Helluva Boss’ and ‘Bee and Puppycat.’” Max reports. “It’s an alternative model that automatically greenlights your show, but comes with the added challenges of fundraising, marketing, and distribution.”

Undeterred by the lack of opportunities, Max decided to start the project with his own money and hired artists through Upwork to create the characters, world, and music. He also discovered musical and voice over talent through TikTok, like viral freestyle rapper Reve Kalell, who created the theme song for the show. Finally, he partnered with Jake Ganz of Studio Yotta, who has worked with clients like Adult Swim and Warner Bros. Animation, to do the animation.

“Studio Yotta took a big risk by taking on our project because our budget was so small and they’re used to working with clients like Adult Swim,” says Max. “Luckily, we both love traditional frame-by-frame animation and want to keep it alive.”

Max then shared the show’s progress on social media and quickly found online support. While the path has not been easy, he believes that bootstrapping gives “Gig Work” more creative freedom.

“We think the show is both topical and entertaining. Because we didn’t answer to anyone, we made something that we actually wanted to watch,” says Max. 

Andrew adds: “We aren’t afraid to tackle any issue whether socially or interpersonally. We take on everything from the corruption of corporations and their influence on the government to soiling yourself because you drank too many energy drinks.”

“Gig Work” is a reflection of the experiences of Gen Z and millennials during the isolation of COVID-19 and the struggles of working in the gig economy. Set in a dark and dystopian world, a group of friends struggle to make ends meet while battling their own inner demons. 

“I believe ‘Gig Work’’s story and emphasis on the characters and their flaws and how they overcome them is seldom seen in the genre,” says Andrew.

Online fans are pivotal to the “Gig Work” story. By taking their creative process to social media, the show received support early on.

“Even though our pilot isn’t out yet, ‘Gig Work’ still has almost 3 million views on TikTok. Our goal is to fund future episodes through merchandising and licensing if people like the show enough,” says Max. “The support we received so far, from the kind comments to the fan art, have been crucial in motivating us to finish the show.”

Even with fan support, bringing “Gig Work” to life was no small feat. Max had to navigate a labyrinth of challenges, from assembling the team to writing the script with his cousin to managing the production to grasping the business side. Frame by hand-drawn frame, the artists for “Gig Work” have painstakingly crafted a world that reflects the consequences of climate change, replete with wacky cults that worship corn and dense cities full of climate refugees.

And yet, despite the odds stacked against them, Max and Andrew remain undeterred. In an industry plagued by uncertainty and economic downturns, they saw an opportunity to carve out even more space for independent creators—a space where innovation and creativity could thrive, free from the constraints of traditional studio funding.

"I think we created something that is truly independent, something that speaks to the issues facing our generation," Max explains. "And ‘Gig Work’ was born out of that desire—to tell a story about finding meaningful connection while the world is on fire."

With its unique blend of humor, heart, and social commentary, “Gig Work” is resonating with Gen Z and millennials alike.

Despite the rollercoaster start, “Gig Work” has its highly anticipated pilot release in 2024. Both creators are excited about the show's future. 

"My deepest wish for ‘Gig Work’ is that it helps inspire the creation of more indie shows," Max says. "I hope we can show people that it’s possible to work outside of the system and it’s okay to take big risks on projects that you’re passionate about. I think the medium of animation deserves that."

To buy merchandise to support “Gig Work” visit gigworktv.shop or follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube with the @gigworktv handle.

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