@CharlieEmerson - @Aalasteir (Q) - Index
Q: Where does happiness come from?
Happiness as far as I'm concerned comes from doing what you love and are passionate about. I love making movies and cartoons and making people laugh. Whenever I have the opportunity to do any of that I feel the most happy. Some people love math so much they're probably most happy when solving equations but the point there is that I believe it comes from doing what you love.
Q: What's your view on creativity?
In my opinion creativity involves going to the places no one else has gone. It's trying something different, sometimes just for the sake of being different. The key with creativity is to try not to second guess the process and always keep forward motion going as best you can. If something goes wrong, you gotta be flexible enough to move with it. Work with the unknown!
Q: How to get interested in skateboarding? What is it like to skateboard?
Skateboarding always seemed like the cool thing to do. I wasn't really into team sports growing up, so skateboarding was kind of an identity I could grab onto early on. That being said it is incredibly fun to do. Tricks can be difficult to land but a simple cruise down the street is a fantastic experience as well!
Q: What are some of your favorite jazz music, and where does the interest come from?
As of late I've been listening to a lot of 70's Japanese Acid Jazz. I wish I knew the name of the groups but I usually have it playing in the background when I work. This interest most likely stems from my years of playing drums. I took drum lessons for about 10 years. Anytime I get a compliment for the timing of a joke I always give credit to those years of studying with a metronome!
Q: You both like skateboarding and jazz because they don't have rules, and each person who skates or plays jazz has a completely different interpretation from another, which keeps it fresh. Do you share the same sentiment about art as a form of expression?
ABSOLUTELY! Admittedly I am partial to some art over others, but art can be subjective like that. One thing I will never knock is someones hustle and vision though. I am always insanely intrigued by the rules and interpretations other creators and artists come up with. You enter a world where 'right' and 'wrong' leave and are replaced by 'does it work'. That's the real question by the end of the process, "does this piece work?" And if the answer is yes then you have won!
Q: How has the Internet changed over the years from your perspective?
The internet as of late seems saturated with a lot of corporate media and faux-artists. It seems like the Hollywood and Main Stream systems saw dollar signs behind what used to be a purely raw and open landscape. I don't think I'm alone in thinking the internet has become more commercialized over the years and while it seems like I have some negative feelings towards it I have to admit the transformation has allowed for many independent artists to earn more from their endeavors than they probably would have in the past. So while it is annoying to see hundreds of Jimmy Kimmel YouTube clips in my recommended feed, it is also wonderful that NewGrounds still exists so you can see all of the raw uncut talent still persevere.
Q: What is animation?
Animation is awesome! Having the ability to make anything move is fantastic. Especially when you bring creatures or objects to life that only ever existed in your head! That's some good stuff.
Q: How do you describe your comedic style?
I've been told it's very dry and dark, haha! There are many times I don't even aim for a punchline but when I receive feedback people still laugh anyway. I love comedy through the absurd. I also love dad jokes, many of my shorts are horrific dad jokes with a touch of violence!
Q: What is your pipeline for creating your animations?
On bigger projects I tend to storyboard more. These days I typically pull out an audio recorder, say some goofy nonsense for a minute and then do a few doodles on a sketchpad. If any doodles match with any of the skits I just start going to town in PhotoShop. It's very crude and definitely not up to industry standards but I love run and gun projects that I can finish in a week or less. I love to see how fast I can accomplish a project and refine my process so I can keep up with a weekly schedule. Probably not healthy, but it is something to grind for!
Q: What's the story of Tin Knockers? What do you think about baseball and the Red Sox?
Tin Knockers was born when my buddy and I were homesick in Los Angeles. We missed Boston so much that we spent the night getting hammered and doing Boston accents into a microphone. He would then go on to write a few scenes and we polished it a bit more, but overall we were just missing home. When they win I love the Red Sox. Otherwise it's Red Sox who? lmao
Q: What was it like animating on Post-It note?
Animating on Post-Its was my first introduction to animation. I had done a few motion graphics things prior but this was my first rodeo with frame by frame. It was great! I had a light board and a giant package of sticky notes and honestly it was such a blast! Highly recommend!
Q: How did you descript writing? And puppeteering for Late Night With Allen Edwin
I wanted some more depth out of a project, spatially, so I decided to work with paper puppets. I also had googly eyes from my parents for my birthday so I put them to use! I wanted to try building a set like you would see in a stop-motion but then realized I didn't have the patience for stop motion so I went the lazy puppet route.
Q: The story of Arts 'n Crafts | Jekyll and Hyde
Arts n' Crafts was our first attempt at trying to do commercial work. We thought it would be a good idea to review beers and then also animate stories told from the guy drinking. We still have four more episodes but at this point they might stay in the vault. But you never know!
Q: What do you think about Family Guy?
Family Guy is funny! I'm more of a South Park guy, my style reeeks of south park haha, but I do appreciate the gags and cutaways. They don't always hit, but when they do ohhhh boy!
Q: Where does your interest in blending animation of live action come from Pencil Pushers
I'm really interested in telling stories as fast as I think them up. My mind is still very childish and I love to pretend everything is alive and talking. In some instances, like in the case of Pencil Pushers, I can go from idea to finished video in around 30 minutes.
Q: What is it like working with different styles?
To me working with different styles is both fun and practical. I loved shows like Kablam back in the day and always wanted my own variety sketch show like that. But also I am still searching for my own style in some ways so I try to tweak little things here and there and see which has practical use and which I just prefer overall.
Q: Your advice for creating animation
My advice for creating animation is to be patient. I have loved animation since I was very young but it took me many years before I actually made my first one. And even more years before I made my first one I actually enjoyed! With animation anything you can think of can become real. And also anyone can do it. I never took any official animation classes and here we are, with a bunch under my belt!