Channel Frederator Blog

Mukpuddy. Say it w/ me peeps! MUK-PUDDY! So fun to say!!! Along with having one of the coolest collective names in the Animation Industry, the Muk’s sure know how to design a mighty good Cartoon. Damn Skippy.
I tracked the Muksters down and had them answer a few Channel Fred Q’s!

ChannelFrederator: How long have you all been animating or drawing?
Mukpuddy: Well, we’ve all been drawing since we could hold a pencil. As for animating, if you count our course, three of us (Ryan, Tim and Alex), have been animating for about 8 years. Jeremy however comes from a Film School, children’s TV and animation background for around about the same time.

Who are some of your influences?
That’s a long list! If we were to give you the short version we’d have to say: Jim Henson, Genndy Tartakovsky, George Lucas, Craig McCracken, Walt Disney, Hanna Barbera, Chuck Jones, Bill Watterson etc. However, these days we draw inspiration from a lot of talented artists out there who have their own blogs. Steve Lamb, Miah Alcorn, Todd Kaufman and Shannon Tindle, to name a few.

Where were you all born?
Ryan & Jeremy were both born in Auckland, NZ. Tim was born in Slough, England. And Alex was born in Sydney, Australia.

Did you guys go to school for art or animation? If so where?
Three of us (Ryan, Tim and Alex) went to an animation school in New Zealand called Freelance Animation School. A school set up by ex Disney Animator John Ewing (he was an assistant to Frank Thomas). We did 3 years classical animation, and Ryan and Tim went on to do a further year of 3D animation. As we mentioned previously, Jeremy has a film school background, and many years in children’s television. He also studied animation as an apprentice at a small studio.

What were some of your hobbies outside the world of animation?
Ryan: I enjoy writing, particularly children’s books. I like the odd video game. Collecting toys (anything cool or movie related). But lately all my outside time is spent renovating an old house with my wife (how very grown up of me, yikes!!)

Alex: Obviously drawing takes up a lot of my time in and out of work but I’ve been trying to hone my painting skills. I’ve only been painting 3 years and am learning everytime I pick up a brush, it’s awesome fun!!. Me and my fiancé have decided to make our own plush toys, I design and cut them out and she sews them, it’s really cool to be doing something creative with her. I am also completely addicted to Lego Star Wars 2, so when I’m not drawing, painting or making toys I’m playing that!!

Jeremy: I spend most of my time in a fantasy world of my own creation and I occasionally enjoy booze. Like Alex I was addicted to Lego Star 2 but I have completed it 100%, so now I just spend my time reminding Alex that I have completed it.

Tim: I spend most of my days drawing, reading and destroying my hands playing video games. I also have a huge collection of DVDs which, if I’m lucky, I have time to watch.

What are The Muks working on currently in the animation industry?
Well, we continue to develop show ideas to pitch to studios.
To bring in the $$$, we are developing a Kids Club for a NZ video store chain, Video Ezy. Basically the job entails creating a couple of characters and fitting them in to websites, flyers, posters and animated TV ads.

What company do you work for or have you worked for?
Well, obviously Mukpuddy is our own. Apart from that we haven’t worked for anyone else. We started up Mukpuddy straight out of our course. We threw ourselves into the deep end and almost five years later… we are still around!

Jeremy has worked for the TVNZ (Television New Zealand) Children’s Unit as a writer/presenter and various production companies as a freelance writer/director.

What does Mukpuddy feel makes for a great cartoon?
First up, we think good strong characters are important, backed up by a great story (cliché but true). A strong visual style is a big one, as are great gags and originality. Check out Bozzlebag Zip on you tube for a perfect example of something that has totally impressed us lately!

Have you ever shown your art in galleries?
Alex has had his first exhibition earlier this year at Disrupt Gallery in Auckland. It was an awesome turnout, and a cool experience.

What Animation DVD’s have you picked up lately?
The Snowman, Moongirl, Curious George, Cars, Over the Hedge, The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb, Samurai Jack Season 3.

What Animation websites do you check in on regularly?
This place called Frederator, it’s pretty cool, you should check it out.
Cold Hard Flash, Drawn, Cartoon Brew, Drawing Board, Eat Poo & other artist’s blogs! (too many to list)

Any advice for someone wanting to break in or just beginning in the industry?
Basically, keep drawing. Develop your own style and ideas. Don’t be afraid to pitch your ideas, feedback is important even if it’s negative. Get on the net, research other artists, see what they are doing, contact them, and start up relationships. Watch lots of cartoons, old and new, good and bad. Do your own thing and prepare to be poor. (It’ll be worth it in the end).

Is there anything you want to say to the people out there in Channel Frederator Land reading this?
Just keep blogging bloggers! It’s one of the greatest things to happen to the internet/art world in a long time. The fact there is this constantly growing online community of immensely talented artists and animators is awesome and will slowly change the animation industry as we know it.
Plus, leaving a positive comment on the Muk Blog earns you a one way ticket to heaven!
(Note: Automatic entry into heaven is not guaranteed)
Mukpuddy was totally awesome for letting Channel Frederator screen their short, The Adventures of the Colgate Taste Buddies right here!

We totally dig the Art and can’t wait to see what comes next from y’all!!
Woot Woot!
Thanks for Mukkin’ it up w/ CH.Frederator a bit Mukpuddy!
Stay tuned to Channel Frederator, Yr #1 SOURCE for the hottest Animation News & coolest Interviews!
To check out more of Mukpuddy’s awesome art head to their Art Blog, The MukBlog or their official Mukpuddy Website!
-JX!

Who Do YOU want to see On Channel Frederator?
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