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u/Link_sega5486

▲ 4.3k r/SmilingFriends

So I just watched a video made by… well… a FORMER director for smiling friends about his experience working on the show. And according to this video, it turns out that when Mike and Zach decided to end the show after the third season, they actually informed the crew and directors about it over an EMAIL. And they didn’t even know until after it was already decided. Keep in mind, the show had already been greenlit for 2 more seasons and apparently they did not discuss this with the crew before hand.

Also I want to make it clear that this video wasn’t a drama video and wasn’t made to be a “tea spill” or whatever, he was actually really positive and understanding about the whole situation.

Now look, I completely understand Mike and Zach’s reasons for wanting to end earlier than anticipated, and I actually have a LOT of respect for their artistic integrity and wanting to avoid beating a dead horse. I would definitely prefer if smiling friends ended when they felt like they’ve done enough, instead of drawing it out like Family Guy or Simpsons did.

But I’m just gonna say it. The fact that they supposedly did not communicate this with the other people, and told them over an EMAIL, instead of discussing it with them or talking about it ahead of time, is honestly pretty unprofessional, irresponsible, and quite frankly, pretty disrespectful if I’m being honest. Couldn’t they have at least held a meeting with everyone about it before deciding to end it flat out? That’s what I ASSUMED they did when I heard that they ended the show.

I just think that the dozens of people who worked on this deserved WAY more warning and communication that they were literally going to be out of a JOB. Especially since, keep in mind, they had already promised everyone that at least 2 more seasons would be produced before the end of the show. So it wouldn’t be too unreasonable for them to assume they’d be working on this show a bit longer.

But I don’t know if anyone will be ruined by this decision financially. I’m not necessarily saying that that’s DEFINITELY what will happen. I’m just saying that when you’re an employer, it’s important to take stuff like that into consideration as a possibility for such a BIG decision. Especially when that decision KIND OF wasn’t really made with any outside pressure.

Again, I’m not saying that their reasons for ending the show are WRONG, I totally understand and respect their reasons, I just feel like the way they told everyone was pretty unprofessional. These are people’s JOBS. Not just hobbies. It’s pretty serious if someone is about to be out of a job without any warning. Especially in THIS economy.

I’ve read about how hard it is to find work as an animator and how it’s actually really hard to make a stable income off of. I mean most animators in the industry are lucky to have even just a few MONTHS of work on something if they plan on making it their main job. Especially if they’re freelance or something.

I’m not making this post to CANCEL Zach and Mike or anything or stir up any drama. I don’t HATE them over this. And I’m sure that it’s very hard and stressful to run an entire production. But if what this person is saying is true, I just really wish they had better communication, that’s all.

u/Link_sega5486 — 7 days ago
▲ 16 r/exmormon

Trigger Warning for self hatred I guess.

I grew up Mormon. In fact, I have ancestors who were part of the church since the 1830s when it was founded. But I no longer identify as such for reasons you can probably guess.

I consider myself fairly progressive. I try my best to hold a nuanced, open minded, respectful and educated view on different people and topics. And even though I grew up Mormon, I heavily disagree with many of the policies and teachings of the church. I think they’re outdated, and just unacceptable in many aspects. And I don’t like how conformist, boring and rigid the “ideal” Mormon family and lifestyle is. Ever since I was a kid, I thought it was an artificial lifestyle that restricts individuality and freedom. I’m sure you know the type of stuff I’m talking about. Among other issues.

Because of that, I’ve distanced myself away from the church. I only go to church on Sundays because my parents want me to. I don’t really connect to relate with anyone there. I’m just some random guy who sits in the corner during second hour.

I grew up being taught that people like Joseph Smith and Brigham Young were good. But when I learned about what horrible people they actually were, and the many bad things that early church members did, I had a total existential crisis. My world was flipped upside down. It felt like everything I had ever learned in my entire life had been a complete lie. The more stuff I learned, the more ashamed and shocked I felt. To be honest, I still feel like I haven’t fully processed it entirely. To this day I don’t know what to believe anymore about the church. I even have trouble trusting my own parents.

The church had been such a large part of my culture and upbringing. I honestly would be a very different person without it. (For better or worse? I don’t know)

Everyone hates Mormons. (For valid reasons).

I have lost good friends because of my Mormon background. I’ve told people who I was close with that I was Mormon just because I had gotten to know them well and religion would just sort of come up in conversations. And some people would kind of avoid me, look at me weird, or even just stop talking to me entirely. I was really lonely. This is partly why I’ve suffered from self esteem issues for much of my life. It also didn’t help that I was the weird special ed autistic kid.

And even my close friends now make fun of me and call me a cultist for being Mormon. Again, I guess I can’t entirely blame them. They’re probably joking but it’s just really sensitive for me and it honestly still hurts my feelings. Just because of how much I disagree with the church.

I’ve seen all sorts of documentaries and shows like American primeval. Even just looking at this subreddit is making me feel sad and guilty somehow. Knowing that I have ancestors who probably did these horrible things. It’s a part of me. And I can’t shake it. I try to convince myself that I’m different from my community, but my mind keeps telling itself that there’s no ignoring my background.

I hope it doesn’t feel like I’m just making this for attention or whatever. I’ve dealt with this burden and self hatred for years. I just feel so ashamed to be associated with a community that has done so much harm. Sometimes it feels like there’s nothing good about this church. I felt like I needed to let this off my chest somewhere. Sorry if this is not the right type of post for a sub like this.

reddit.com
u/Link_sega5486 — 16 days ago
▲ 12 r/Fancast

I feel like his humor and line deliveries would be really fitting for the character.

Plus he honestly looks a lot like him. He even has similar hair. And I think he also has a decent build for a live action performance.

u/Link_sega5486 — 18 days ago