Li'l Toughy

🎉 The “Different” MAP sign-ups are officially OPEN! 🎉

If you’d like to animate a shot from Franny’s song “Different” from Strawberry Vampire, now’s your chance to apply! Every shot will be animated by a different artist, creating one giant collaborative music video celebrating Episode 2.

Whether you’re a student, a hobbyist, or a professional, I’d love to see your work!

✨ Watch the numbered shot video, read through the guidelines, and sign up here:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSft0PzEos_zzywQY7…

One thing I wanted to mention: because there are a limited number of shots, we unfortunately won’t be able to choose everyone. I’ll be looking through every submission, and my goal is to put together a group that showcases a wide range of animation styles, techniques, and experience levels. I really want this project to celebrate how many different ways there are to bring a scene to life.

So if you aren’t selected this time, please don’t take it as a reflection of your talent. It may simply come down to finding the right mix of styles for this project.

I genuinely can’t wait to see what you all submit. Thank you for wanting to be part of Strawberry Vampire, and get ready for Franny's next batty adventure in Episode 2!

-Emily (Li'l Toughy) 🍓🦇

1 day ago | [YT] | 375

Li'l Toughy

NEW VIDEO out about my strategy for launching Episode 2 of Strawberry Vampire: https://youtu.be/IUrOq7ae7HU

3 days ago | [YT] | 443

Li'l Toughy

Today I'm excited to share the latest Indie Creator Spotlight on my Substack, Inside Li'l Toughy Studio: an interview with Alvaro Calmet, creator of SolarBalls and now the breakout indie series Run, Monster, Run.

We talk about how his team built not one, but two successful independent animated shows, from self-financing the pilot and assembling an international team to creating a launch strategy that helped Run, Monster, Run surpass THREE million views.

There's so much indie creators can learn from the way they approached the project, and especially from everything they did before the pilot ever premiered.

You can read it here: emilybrundige.substack.com/p/indie-creator-spotlig…

I hope you enjoy it!

1 week ago | [YT] | 556

Li'l Toughy

After months of hard work, I'm so excited to finally share that Episode 2 of Strawberry Vampire premieres August 15th! 🍓🦇

This episode exists because of you.

When you backed our Kickstarter, you didn't just help fund an episode, you proved that there are people out there who believe in original, creator-owned animation. Every pledge, every share, every kind word helped bring us to this moment.

I can't wait for you to see what we've been making. Our incredible team has poured so much love into this episode, and I truly think it's something really special. "Episode 1 walked so Episode 2 could run," is what I like to think.

My hope is that Episode 2 reaches even more people than our pilot did. Every new viewer who discovers Strawberry Vampire helps us grow this little community, and brings us one step closer to making even more episodes beyond the Kickstarter (after Episode 3 premieres later this year).

If you've been waiting for more Franny, the wait is almost over.

Mark your calendars for August 15th. Let's make this premiere our biggest one yet. ❤️

Yours truly,
Li'l Toughy, and the Strawberry Vampire team

1 week ago | [YT] | 1,297

Li'l Toughy

NEW VIDEO out about what makes indie animated pilots great: https://youtu.be/tlE8EOc2hT8?is=QFeEc...

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 723

Li'l Toughy

Exciting news!!! Li'l Toughy's coming to Comic-Con!

I'm going to be on a panel about bringing your animated ideas to life, alongside my friend David Skelly (Max and the Midnights), and Dan Povenmire (Phineus and Ferb).

Here's the information:

Ordinary Lamp productions presents...From PITCH to PILOT at San Diego Comic Con! ✏️

Ever wondered how your favorite animated shows actually get made? Come find out!

We’ve packed one hour with the good stuff:
✨ Real talk on how animation gets developed (and how YOU break in)
🟢🔴 A live game where our panelists judge some mockup “upcoming shows” on the spot
🎤 A one-of-a-kind Character Q&A... your questions answered in the voices you love

Behind the scenes, behind the mic, behind the designs. It’s going down and you do NOT want to miss it. 👀

🗓️ JULY 23RD
🕓 4:15 to 5:15 PM
📍 Hilton Bayfront, San Diego // Indigo Ballroom

I'm also going to be selling my (physical) books at the ASIFA Animation table on that same day, but I'll post more on that later.

Who's coming to Comic-con this year? 🍓🦇

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1 week ago | [YT] | 237

Li'l Toughy

I have a special treat today for my Patreon and Youtube Membership supporters today: a sneak peek at the song from Episode 2, "Different."

It's Franny's song, but it's also for anyone who's ever felt like they didn't quite fit in. I hope you love it as much as I do.

The song was written by Aaron Preacher and Frederik Wiedmann, and features yours truly singing as Franny. 😊

Members get early access to new videos, exclusive behind-the-scenes updates on Strawberry Vampire, members-only livestreams, and other bonus content as I continue making original animation and sharing everything I've learned along the way.

We're preparing Episode 2 to launch on Youtube Saturday, August 15th (+ more exciting announcements soon!) so get your bat wings ready! 🍓🦇

1 week ago | [YT] | 9

Li'l Toughy

I got this Shrek statue after working at Dreamworks TV for one year. I found a way to make it less ugly.

In my latest video, I breakdown why studios are fixated on making more and more sequels, and what that means for us indie creators.

I'd love it if you'd give the video a watch and let me know what you think in the comments! Do you think audiences are starting to experience sequel fatigue?

Thanks,
Li'l Toughy

2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 399

Li'l Toughy

Hey! I know a lot of you are new here, so I just wanted to say welcome! 👋

My name's Emily (aka Li'l Toughy).

I'm an animation creator, writer, and showrunner. Some of the shows I've worked on: Star vs. the Forces of Evil and Hilda to name a few. Fun fact: I voiced "Sara" in Over the Garden Wall.

I also created an original series for Apple TV called GOLDIE, and recently created an indie series called Strawberry Vampire. We did a kickstarter in April and were able to raise 42K to fund the next episode animatics. Edisode 2 will be dropping sooooon!

I just wanted you to know that if you're interested in indie animation, making your own projects, or just want to hang out with other creators, we'd love to have you in our Discord! It's become a really supportive community of artists, writers, and animation fans.

Discord: discord.gg/UWNH4mFKrU

And if there's a topic you'd love me to cover in a future video, let me know below. I'm reading all the comments. ❤️

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 409

Li'l Toughy

🎉 YouTube Memberships Are Here! 🎉

Over the past year, a lot of people have asked how they can support Strawberry Vampire and Li'l Toughy Studio.

While we already have a Patreon, we know some folks prefer to keep everything in one place. So we thought it would be much easier for some viewers to support the channel directly through YouTube's Membership feature.

If you join, you'll get access to:

🧛 Exclusive Franny emojis** to use in comments, chats, and livestreams (with more characters and expressions coming soon!)

🏅 Custom loyalty badges** that evolve the longer you remain a member, so your badge grows alongside your support of the channel.

🎥 Members-only livestreams**, where we'll hang out, talk Strawberry Vampire, indie animation, the animation industry, and answer your questions.

✨ Exclusive videos* you won't find anywhere else.

The support from this community has already helped us accomplish things I never imagined possible. Every membership helps us continue creating new Strawberry Vampire content, experimenting with new projects, and building Li'l Toughy Studio into a home for independent animation.

If you'd like to join us, simply click the **JOIN** button below any of my videos or on the channel page.

Thank you for being here, for watching, sharing, commenting, and cheering us on. Whether you're a member, Patreon supporter, or simply someone who enjoys what we're making, I'm incredibly grateful you're part of this little community.

❤️ Emily (aka Li'l Toughy)

1 month ago | [YT] | 308