Fanboy and Chum Chum

Eric Horsted

This week the arrow on the interview spinner points to staff writer Eric Horsted, who was kind of enough to stop making with the funny long enough to answer a few questions the blog.

Frederator: Where did you grow up?

Eric: In the vast suburbs of Houston, Texas.

Frederator: Did you not only sing, but dance just as good as you walk?

Eric: Absolutely. I was the funkiest white boy on the Texas Gulf coast. My bell bottoms could’ve housed all five Jacksons.

Frederator: What was your favorite cartoon growing up?

Eric: I loved all the old Warner Bros cartoons. Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Foghorn Leghorn, etc. Hilarious and smart!

Frederator: Did you go to school for screenwriting?

Eric: I went to film school and focused more on production. The one screenwriting class I took was more about formatting than anything, so I favored creative writing and English classes.

Frederator: What was your first writing credit?

Eric: It was on a short-lived Delta Burke show called Delta. It was a great experience, and I got to meet entertainment legends Willie Nelson and Ted McGinley.

Delta Burke

Frederator: How did you get the job as staff writer on Fanboy and Chum Chum?

Eric: I worked with Executive Producer Steve Tompkins on an ABC show a few years ago and lo and behold, he offered me the job. Wisely, I said yes!

Frederator: Where do you get your creative inspiration?

Eric: From random people, from my kids, from my own childhood. The voices in my head are also helpful, when they’re not arguing.

Frederator: You’ve written for Futurama and the Boondocks as well as on live-action shows including Coach and Reba. Any challenges on Fanboy, being your first CG show?

Eric: CG can be so visually amazing, and our show is really looking top notch. On the flipside, CG does create a big challenge — it’s often difficult (cost-prohibitive) to add additional characters, props, and wardrobe, unlike in live action or traditional animation. But as often the case, obstacles can lead to great things. For example, in “Dollar Day” we needed a tooth fairy to come retrieve Fanboy’s tooth. In order to save time and money, the fairy ended up being a tiny Fanboy with wings, tutu and magic wand. It looks hilarious, makes sense, and best of all, we saved enough money to buy Eric Robles another diamond poodle.

Frederator: What percentage of the character of Fanboy is the personality of (creator) Eric Robles?

Eric: I would say 100%, but Robles is so much smarter. They definitely both have overactive enthusiasm glands, which is awesome.

“Night Morning” script page

Frederator: Any advice for aspiring TV writers?

Eric: Writing can be painful, annoying, and tedious. It’s amazing how many things a writer will find to do to put off writing (for example, I’m doing this instead of writing an outline for a new episode). But the truth is, the more you write, the better you get. So devote a set amount of time to writing each day and stick to it. Even if you can only spare 20 minutes, eventually you’ll get excited about what you’re writing, and 20 minutes won’t be enough. Before you know it, you’ll become a shut-in who never bathes and has no contact with the outside world (other than what you see as you’re covering your windows with tin foil). Congratulations, young writer — you’re on your way!

Frederator: Any outside projects you can talk about?

Eric: I’m currently writing a live-action pilot for Lifetime and a few projects for the government that I can’t go into without threatening national security.

Frederator: If you could meet any writer, whom would you choose?

Eric: I’ve actually met Scott Kreamer, so my dream has already come true.

Frederator: If you had any super power what would it be?

Eric: I would love to be Superfocused (instead of Superscattered).

Thanks, Eric.

(And thanks to Angie Polk for the interview work.)

– Eric (Homan