Channel Frederator Blog

Joel Trussel shared a music video called Paris Is On with Channel Frederator this week. Paris Is On is about a scarred Puppet (that rhymes with Muppet) on a quest for fulfillment. It reminds me of that mind blowing scene in the muppet movie where Kermit was riding his bike, except skuzzier and designed a little better. Joel Trussell and crew did a great job for this Paul Brill vid.

1) Where did you get the inspiration for the music video Paris is On?
Did the music inspire you or did your images inspire the musician? That mu… Puppet was cool.

Har! Glad you liked the muppet. Paul Brill had already finished the track when he approached me about the project, so the puppet (rhymes with Muppet) came up after hearing the music. Seems natural, right?
The whole thing was kind of a darker piece, which was kind of different for me. Although it was a new approach, I get inspired by taking on a new challenges and experiments. Keeps things interesting (and chaotic).
At the time I started the piece, I was watching a good bit of David Lynch films and wanted to go for something with undertones rather than trying to match the song’s meaning exactly… capturing the mood seemed more important. Although it’s important to me to keep a pretty distinct voice/style as an individual director, I also want to tailor my work to the musician I’m working with and hopefully the end result is stronger for it.

2) Can you explain a bit of your process in creating Paris is On?
My process usually entails listening to the track repeatedly and trying to pick out things to draw that get my attention. Once I’ve sketched some images I like, I try to see if they can relate to each other in a loose narrative. Since I’m not much of a high-end special effects kind of director at this point in my career, I try to concentrate more on characters and story concept to create interest. Once I get a thread of a story happening, I try to figure out what’s going to happen at the end and keep the interest building throughout. Then I feel I have the ideas ready, I go buy oversized bottles of antacids and get ready for a world of worry and long nights.

3) Who are some of your influences?
There are so many to list and their hierarchy changes all the time. Some random selections are old CARtoons magazines, the Steve Washington: Angry Youth animated series, Jim Flora, Woody Allen, and my friends.

4) How long have you been animating? How long did it take you to complete Paris is On from start to finish?
I’ve been animating professionally about 9 years now. This will be my 6th year working for myself which is the longest I’ve worked for anyone. I’m a pretty decent boss.
Paris Is On was done over the course of 3-4 months I think, but it was a sporadic process with many other assignments happening simultaneously. If I had been able to solely concentrate on it alone, it would have probably been condensed down to 2 or so. It was largely a one man show, but Darin Bendall helped out a bit and Gene Blakefield rocked the C-walking bugs. Fresssssssh!

5) What are you working on currently, and what is next for you? Any new music videos in the works?
At the moment I’m working on an online animated series for Kidrobot. Also, I just began being officially repped by Wild Brain in SF for commercial directing, so I’m stoked about that. I’m also gearing up with One Small Step in London to possibly direct another music video for Morcheeba which would be amazing. On top of all that, I’m trying to get things together for my first, solo gallery show in Portland. No details on that yet. 2008’s looking pretty hectic!
What’d be the ultimate though would be getting a film idea hammered out and hook up with the mighty Frederator Films to dominate box offices. Now to find the time to do it… hmmmmmm.

Journey off and conquer Joel. Journey off and conquer!!!
-Jeaux Janovsky