Channel Frederator Blog

Rhubarb Zoo’s second film,”Entropy” is featured in this week’s Channel Frederator episode. Director Dane Jacobs tells us a little about the studio, the film, and what’s next.

Channel Frederator: What can you tell us about Rhubarb Zoo?

Dane Jacobs: Rhubarb Zoo started when I met Jeremy Hay at Freelance Animation School. I went around like a crazy person telling everyone “I want my OWN STUDIO to do my OWN THINGS MY WAY!” Jeremy was the only one who fell for it. So it’s just the two of us, and primarily we work on writing and directing our own animated films.

CF: What has influenced your style the most?

DJ: As far as “Entropy” goes, one of the biggest influences was a little known Japanese animation called The Diary of Tortov Roddle. It’s a collection of 2-3 minute episodes that are really surreal, simple and touching. The other major influence that everyone recognises instantly is Tim Burton. Also, [Read more…]

Animator William Garratt’s quirky cartoon “Le Tuff Talk” is only one of many fun films (in addition to oodles of commercial work) in his repertoire. Let’s talk the talk with him about cartoons, Bo Diddley, and bad mouthing.Channel Frederator: Where did you study animation?William Garratt: I did a three month course in 2D animation at the University of the West of England here in Bristol (in the UK ), which was great fun and very useful. Apart from that, it’s been very much a process of trial and error.CF: What are your favorite films/cartoons?WG: I love “The Big Snit” by Richard Conde – it manages to be both very funny and very humane at the same time. “The Cat Came Back” by Cordell Barker is another favourite, as is “Bob’s Birthday” by Alison Snowden and David Fine. I recently saw “Mary and Max” by Adam Elliot, which was great. Plus of course the Pixar films, Spongebob, and [Read more…]

Director Tomas Mankovsky’s “Sorry I’m Late” is a creative addition to the explosion of humans-as-stop-motion films on the web. Here he tells us about the film and the best ever reason for being late.

Channel Frederator: Where did you study animation/film?

Tomas Mankovsky: I’ve never studied film really, I studied advertising and graphic design at Beckmans College of Art in Stockholm. It was great and that’s where I also started experimenting with film/animation and made my first short
Little Big Love. I’ve read quite a few books on filmmaking, animation, cinematography etc. though, and since I have a background in advertising I’ve been on quite a few shoots where I’ve been absorbing knowledge and watching how other filmmakers work. But the best way to study is to simply pick up the camera and start doing it.

CF: Who or what has influenced your style the most?

TM:There’s so many different things, but I guess if I [Read more…]

Who is the hottest anime chick of all time? Is that guy speaking French? Are both of those guys speaking French? What are they fighting about? Do celebrities really kick the bucket in groups of three? Why can’t the Earth be as much fun as the moon! Why are you late?!!All of these questions and oh, so many more will be answered in episode 187 of Channel Frederator!

“Sorry I’m Late”, submitted by James Bretton – Outstanding stop motion detailing the numerous and absurd obstacles of being on time. Directed by Tomas Mankovsky.

“Le Tuff Talk”, submitted by semi_g – Animated thought bubbles explain outlandish insults thrown around in French.

“Public Service Announcement”, submitted by Marc Tyler – Death addresses rumors about celebrities dying in threes.

“Entropy”, submitted by Dane Jacobs – A lonely girl on a desolate Earth has her life transformed with a magical trip to the moon.

WARNING: Channel Frederator is rated EXPLICIT. Change is good. [Read more…]