Your Guide to Making it in the Business of Cartoons!
Latest Videos
Jan. 27th, 2026: Who’s this for?
Can you aim at 4 targets at once?
Jan. 20th, 2026 - How I got my First Animation License!
This is my first major career pivot in 5 years.
Jan. 13th, 2926 - 3 Native Formats for YouTube Animation.
Before you rage comment 'What about Amazing Digital Circus and Hazbin Hotel' please hear me out.
The Channel’s Story
Eric began his award-winning career in animation in 1994 as a development assistant for MTV Animation. Since then, he’s produced and written dozens of animated series, films, and projects making pivots every few years into areas like anime, video games, traditional publishing, and even theme park design and business development.
But on Feb 13th, 2018, Eric Calderon had an inspiration and released his first video on YouTube for a channel he called ‘Surviving Animation’ with the sole purpose of sharing common and crucial information about the business of cartoons.
In addition to his producing, consulting, and writing work, he continues to publish videos weekly and is active on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Tik Tok. The platform has also expanded into public speaking events, professional panel discussions, and over a hundred consultations with individuals and companies from around the globe.
Surviving Animation not only covers the business of cartoons. The channel goes deep into IP development strategies, script and story analysis, industry trends, and format basics for pitches and presentations.
Updates about Eric below!
Jan. 20th, 2025
Eric begins direct-to-consumer sales business with the launch of the officially licensed ‘Flow Throw’ based on the Oscar-Award-Winning (2025) movie FLOW by Gints Zilbadolis
Buy here!
(©FLOW™2024 DREAM WELL STUDIO. SACREBLEU PRODUCTIONS. TAKE FIVE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)
Dec. 10th, 2025
Eric joins Lion Forge Entertainment as a consultant focused on original anime and anime-adjacent originals and licensed property adaptations!
Merch
For surviving in the board room, while working from home, or adventuring into new territories where animation tax subsidies abound!
• Material: Enamel
• Dimensions: height 3.14″ (8 cm), diameter 3.25″(8.25 cm)
• Lead and BPA-free material
• White coating with a silver rim
• Hand-wash only
• Blank product sourced from China
Attention! Don't heat liquids or food directly in the mug—it can damage the coating.
Disclaimer: The Enamel Mug is susceptible to staining when used with certain beverages, including coffee, tea, and natural juices. That’s a normal characteristic of enamel products and not specific to our mug alone. Due to the enamel’s rough and porous surface texture, particles from these drinks may easily adhere to the mug, resulting in stains over time. Stains can be effectively removed by applying lemon juice or soda to the affected area and gently scrubbing with a hard sponge.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Age restrictions: For adults
EU Warranty: 2 years
Other compliance information: Meets the lead, cadmium and chromium level requirements.
In compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Surviving Animation and SINDEN VENTURES LIMITED ensure that all consumer products offered are safe and meet EU standards. For any product safety related inquiries or concerns, please contact our EU representative at gpsr@sindenventures.com.
With a slightly distressed brim (like your world-weary animation life) and crown fabric, it’ll add just the right amount of edge to your next pitch or storyboard review. For a quick and easy outfit pair it with your favorite jeans, a laptop covered in stickers and an anime tee.
• 100% pre-shrunk cotton twill
• Soft crown
• 6 sewn eyelets
• 6 stitched rows on the brim
• 6-panel unstructured cap with a low profile
• Seamed front panel without buckram
• Adjustable hook and loop closure
• Blank product sourced from China
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Age restrictions: For adults
EU Warranty: 2 years
Other compliance information: Meets the lead and phthalates level requirements.
In compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Surviving Animation and Surviving Animation ensure that all consumer products offered are safe and meet EU standards. For any product safety related inquiries or concerns, please contact our EU representative at contact@survivinganimation.com.
It's the superhero of t-shirts with logos. Yet, it's soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. Comfortable, flattering, and best of all just nerdy enough.
• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz./yd.² (142 g/m²)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Blank product sourced from Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras, or the US
Disclaimer: The fabric is slightly sheer and may appear see-through, especially in lighter colors or under certain lighting conditions.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Age restrictions: For adults
EU Warranty: 2 years
In compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Surviving Animation and Surviving Animation ensure that all consumer products offered are safe and meet EU standards. For any product safety related inquiries or concerns, please contact our EU representative at contact@survivinganimation.com.
Say goodbye to plastic, and hello to green lights and direct-to-consumer success! There’s more than enough room for groceries, art books, toys, and all of your pitch material leave-behinds!
• 100% certified organic cotton 3/1 twill
• Fabric weight: 8 oz/yd² (272 g/m²)
• Dimensions: 16″ × 14 ½″ × 5″ (40.6 cm × 35.6 cm × 12.7 cm)
• Weight limit: 30 lbs (13.6 kg)
• 1″ (2.5 cm) wide dual straps, 24.5″ (62.2 cm) length
• Open main compartment
• Blank product sourced from India
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Age restrictions: For adults
EU Warranty: 2 years
Other compliance information: Meets the azo dyes and formaldehyde level requirements.
In compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Surviving Animation and Surviving Animation ensure that all consumer products offered are safe and meet EU standards. For any product safety related inquiries or concerns, please contact our EU representative at contact@survivinganimation.com.
Take names! Kick A$$. Or just... y'know. Take notes. Sketch?
The product features 80 lined, cream-colored pages, a built-in elastic closure, and a matching ribbon page marker. Plus, the expandable inner pocket is perfect for storing loose notes and business cards, so you’ll never lose track of important information.
• Cover material: UltraHyde hardcover paper
• Size: 5.5" × 8.5" (13.97 cm × 21.59 cm)
• Weight: 10.9 oz (309 g)
• 80 pages of lined, cream-colored paper
• Matching elastic closure and ribbon marker
• Expandable inner pocket
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Age restrictions: For adults
EU Warranty: 2 years
Other compliance information: Meets the lead and phthalates level requirements.
In compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Surviving Animation and Surviving Animation ensure that all consumer products offered are safe and meet EU standards. For any product safety related inquiries or concerns, please contact our EU representative at contact@survivinganimation.com.