Young Emily once watched the world through blinders so the only thing she saw was the page on which she drew. Isolated, she tried to look away as her father gave her mother lessons in brutality from which she could only hide in her mind. But that rage, that fear growing deep within her would surface and once unleashed – could never be re-contained. Ten years older, the demons of old fuel her, empower her and push her to be the very thing she once feared: A monster in her own right.
A dramatic action packed 12-part series in a sea of comedic web content, “Drawn By Pain” engages its audience by leading them through an episodic spiral into one woman’s search for salvation as her animated madness fights for her sanity in the real world.
“Drawn by Pain” quite simply is a labor of love by a very small group of people whose hope is to bring something different and cool to the web. 
With a story crafted by a filmmaker (Jesse Cowell right) with years of experience making less seem like more and with every frame of traditional Animation drawn by a single animator (Erica Langworthy below) to give it a living sketch look, “Drawn by Pain” strives to have the feel of a film made by hundreds but with the work/passion of just a few.
Produced on a string of credit cards and the support of many, Drawn by Pain has been downloaded 1,000,000 times to date, been featured by Blip.tv, VUZE, Brightcove, Escapist Magazine, Veoh and many others. It was listed on the “What’s Hot” list for iTunes and recently appeared on IFC News while at the New York Anime Festival. It has now won a People’s Voice Online Film and Video Webby Award and we cannot be more excited.
We really believe web content can expand into something that not only makes people laugh, but moves people and excites them as well. We hope in our own way to be contributing to making the small screen become a bit more cinematic.
Thank you to all the web friends and supporters who have flown in from all over the world to support the film, come to appear as extras, donated/scored music to use, wrote about us in your blogs, and gave us your kind words. Your inspiration truly has made the impossible possible.
Any and all thoughts are always welcome,
Jesse Cowell
Writer/Director
Drawn By Pain
The About Section is very well written.
Very nice site. The embedded video works very well.
Original, and the story draws you in. Nicely done.
I’ve watched only four episodes so far, but at this point I think this is a truly excellent series, and well worth developing at some point into a feature-length film. It’s still too early (for me) to see where you and your character are headed with this, but it seems to me you’re striving for intensity and a kind of visceral authenticity without trying to be didactic or moralizing, and I think that’s great. These issues of childhood suffering are so ubiquitous in our society, and so deep and so important, that they’re hard to deal with at any level. So if you can keep being intense without taking yourself *too* seriously, you’ll be making a wonderful contribution. Marissa Parness too is excellent (as well as being beautiful, I hope she doesn’t mind my saying). I’m inspired!!
Thank you Arnold. We really are trying our best to make something that rings true for people, but at the same time keeps them engaged.
Very nice of you to say. Thanks for the kind thoughts.
-Jes
Very nicely done – the story really draws you in. I can’t wait for the next episode. Keep up the great work!
I ran into your blip.tv profile on accident when your trailer was a featured video. I only watched the first two episodes only because of my own personal time limitations, but rest assured I will be making time to watch the rest.
The setup is very imaginative, innovative, and unique. I can’t wait to see what the overall conflict will be about. Keep up the great work!
Glad to hear that Tony. Feels great to know it’s getting out there
Don’t Worry, Be Happy! =)
Nice to see that you still have my portrait of Erica still up on the page!
I wish I still had my copy, i’ve been trying to put together a collection of the stuff i’ve done for people – and I’m having a tough time.
Congrats on the Webby nomination! I voted for you Jes, not because i’m interested in your work, but because it was the most innovative idea – and the most creative piece of art i’ve seen in a long time.
THANK YOU!!! – MULTIPLIED
My husband showed this to me yesterday and I have yet to
find the words to express my gratitude. Although my
demons were not birthed by parents, I have similar
blinders. My dissociation is on a plane I am striving
to understand as I dig out this child from her grave
with words.
The hard work and risk you all have taken are examples
of freedom. Perhaps the only instance I’ve been exposed
to contrary to thoughts of unrealistic pursuits and
expectations, impossible technology or vain attempts
to recapture “self”.
I wanted to let all of you know that I will continue
watching your passionate expressions as I begin my
own course toward revelation.
Prospectus ad infinitum.
No pressure.
I found “Drawn by pain” in the Guide of the Miro Player. After watching the teaser I wasn’t sure if this show wouldn’t focus on brutality to be able to display brutality only. The first episode eased my mind, and I couldn’t help but watching all eleven episodes at once!
The story is really great (as is the play of the cast), and I love the soundtrack. The mixture of real film and animation kicks ass!
So I’m sitting here, browsing the website and can’t wait for the final episode to be released. And I feel that it’s a pity that it will be the last episode.
Thanks for this piece of work!
I’ve been surfing the Web for over a decade, most of what I have come across is nothing more than interesting, that was until I found Drawn by Pain. I am quite literally lost for words adequate enough to describe my feelings, having been through a similarly rough childhood myself, I always felt powerless and feeble as though I would never find that light at the end of the tunnel.
Watching this has brought back some painful memories but it has also helped me realise that I have, without noticing it, overcome my fear of what lies in the shadows. I may not have had the same sort of powers that Emily does, but I do have a power. I have the power to believe in myself and Drawn by Pain shows in some small way precisely that.
Everyone who has worked on this project has my deepest gratitude, not only for tackling a subject such as this, but for bringing something truly awe inspiring to the sea of monotony that is the Web. May fortune shine on you all and everything that you do.
Sincerely yours,
Michael
Wow is all I can say – everything about this series is amazing. From the excellent performances from all participants, to the great camera work, to the fantastic animation, everything about Drawn By Pain just pulls you in. Still though, the dramatic plot and the power of the first episode are what got me hooked – you have the power to make people, or me at least, feel sad or angry, and I think that’s a great gift.
I really do hope that everyone involved can get some attention from not only the internet and its many viewers, but from the mainstream as well. I even plan on picking up a shirt XD
Holy carp… just found this site and blew through all 11 episodes. Can’t wait for the 12th. I can’t believe this was done on a shoestring budget. It’s pretty damn impressive.
Awesome!! Absolutely fabulous! Amazing, gripping & inspired. Dude, your film ROCKS!
One of the rarest resources on the internet: great original content. Cant wait till ep 12.
Wow i stumbled across this by mistake and it has got to be one of the greatest ideas I have ever seen brought to life. The story is captivating and the blend of animation/live is really amazing. While the acting isnt going to win and oscar its really well done for an independent film. You guys keep this up. Its good to see that people still have original ideas out there.
Thanks Lost – I tried making something a bit different which still feels a little risky sometimes as people don’t always understand what we are trying to do. I do hope you get a chance to watch the rest of the series and look forward to the feedback indeed
Thx much!
Thx Viktor! I hope you like it when it comes out!
-Jes
Michael,
The pleasure really is all ours. I’m glad it has an impact
-Jes
You are very welcome. Always amazing to see that the work means something to someone across the great web divide.
-Jes
You’re very welcome Christian – thx even more for taking a look – means a lot to us to know people enjoy it
Thx Daniel! Just glad you are digging it
Thx MarkE!!
Thx Tirade! I did what I could with what I had – so glad you think it holds up
-Jes
wow yeah just finished wastching the last episode. This was so amazing i cant wait for the finale. Is it gonna be the last episode ever? or is it like a season finale? I have sent everyone i know to check this out and so far ive gotten no complaints everyone loves it. Well done with an amazing series and if the next episode really is the last one then its with mixed feelings ill greet it caz on one side it will be bummy that there will be no more but on the other it will be great that the series doesnt become one of those super drawn out for no reason shows. All in all this is a great show and its something i hope you guys are very proud of.
Hey,
i heard bout this site from a guildie in WoW, and i finally decided to see what it was bout, and i have got to say, that i love it, im downloading the 11th episode as we speak and cant wait for the last episode already which we all hope isnt too far away but you cant put a time on quality now can you lol
I’m glad you finally got a chance to check it out. It’s hard to get people to invest the time, but am always glad to hear when they do. Look forward to your thoughts on 12!
You guys are completely amazing. I’m not sure what to say other than that, because I just finished watching ten and I’m still completely speechless.
The only thing that I really have to ask about is the background music. Do you guys create it yourselves, and is there anyway there could be a soundtrack? It’s awesome.
HIya Samamtha,
Thx much for the kind words.
The music comes from a variety of sources I found via the web. I’m lucky to have stumbled across some folks who I think really added to what we are doing. I think Volume one of the soundtrack is in the works and will post as soon as it is.
Glad you are diggin’ the show thus far!
-Jes
i love ur story and animation. i wonder what’s going to happen to Emily in the last episode?
I am in college for the same thing you have done here!! Though you have made an amazing story here, interesting and compelling cast, and a great way to introduce anime into another genre besides action and comedy, I am wondering if you are going to have more of this type of series. You have a huge fan base, and a way to reach a lot of people with anything you think up, and name reaching factors that make you recognized. I would never want to quit thinking that this was the end of the story of what you have started. This application has too many areas that it could go into. You opened a door, now whether it is a Pandora’s box, or Shangrala, is up to what you do next. People are watching what you are going to do next. Can you give us an idea of what your next plan is?
Could you take it further than 2D style, and give it some 3D next time?
I know the questions will be coming. Where will you go next?
[...] company has just forged a partnership with web series Drawn By Pain (written and directed by Jesse Cowell), to bring a 360° experience around its upcoming Tribeca [...]
Drawn by pain is a very good show and i am showing it to all of my freinds at school. they tell me it is very good and theyd love to see it on tv one day. i really hope it makes it that far itll help alot of kinds out someday. good luck!
Thank you Red!
I have put together the feature version of the film and hope to have it at several film festivals soon (and TV with some help)!
Thx for spreading the word
-Jes
no problem jes. ill keep spreading the word and you do what you do best.
you’re great,as my ID says,lol
but really,it’s cool how you combine filming with animating
and the story is realy great
Thank you for the thoughts
Really glad you enjoyed the story!
btw is there coming a second season,that would be awesome!
love you guys!