Making an indie animated short can feel a bit like rowing through the desert you know where you want to go, but sometimes it feels like you're the only one moving. This talk is a candid look at the ups and downs of developing an independent animation project, from the first idea to the finished film. We'll share what worked, what didn't, the mistakes we made, and the unexpected challenges along the way, as well as some practical tips for anyone trying to get a personal project off the ground.