The Finster/Finster Show

It’s 10AM Wednesday, August 17th. Today is the first recording session of “Oh Yeah! 4. It’s time to record The Finster Finster Show! Billy West and Charlie Adler are slated for 10Am and Tress MacNeille will be in at 11.
I didn’t voice cast for Finster Finster, but I already knew the range of Billy, Cjarlie and Tress from working on so many cartoon shows with them in the past. I needed two guys that had great range, but still needed their voices to be similar because the Finsters are twins. I was already familiar with the chemistry between them as well. This was also important to get what the show was asking for. I wanted this session as well as all sessions I’ve directed to be as enjoyable and as much fun as possible. I knew what I wanted in my mind and now I needed to get it! I knew these were the right cast.
At 10AM we finished filling out all the “official” contravt stuff and them we proceeded into the recording booth. Besides doing a voice, I always like sitting with the actors. It continues to keep me close to the show and makes for better direction.
So we did some readings of the characters till we got what the Finsters wanted. This took about ten minutes or so. From that point forward, it was one of the most outragious recording sessions I ever had. Billy and Charlie were perfect!! And so the comical banter went on and on between them, me and the audience on the other side of the window. It was a comedy show nobody would ever forget. The jokes, the non-stop laughing, the jokes, the screaming, the fun! Everyone on the other side of the glass were also laughing non-stop! I couldn’t stop laughing! This was a true sign that what was being recorded was working! Yes, the planets had aligned so perfectly with such precision. Nothing could go wrong and it didn’t! There was an adrenalin rush and an energy in that room that was like no other. I knew we were flying at light-speed. Billy Wast and Charlie Adler were at their finest! They asked for direction and I gave it to them either by explaining or showing them storyboard pages and model drawings. I knew what I wanted without Justin having to play back the takes over and over. Have fun. Be yourself and let the actors know they’re doing a great job! This keeps the actors on a precious creative momentum. I gave them quick back stories to lead them in. They also came up with suggestions and ran brilliantly with those. Man. But, I gotta tell ya. It was the first time for me in a booth in four years and I quickly had to swing into gear. It took me a few minutes, but I got there.
Billy and Charlie were done by 11:15AM. A little over an hour and we finished. Our heads were still spinning from the rush of this nonstop roller coaster cartoon machine. When we finished we gave each other hugs of a great job and it was great to be with them again. They told me it was the most fun they’ve had in a long time. Pictures were taken; which I’ll show soon.
So in comes Tress MacNeille. She’s also someone I’ve worked with for years on countless cartoons. I knew Billy, Charlie and Tress work so well together and even if Tress records separately, I knew her recorded chemistry would be perfect with Billy and Charlie. After hugs and kisses and more photos, Billy and Charlie left.
So now it was Tress and me in the booth. We exchanged some memories of the past, some laughs and proceeded to record Mrs. Finster. Tress received the direction she needed from me and she delivered brilliantly, as always. She gave me four completely different character takes for Mrs. Finster. She also added what she needed to the mix, just the Billy and Charlie. After Tress did her lines, I could hear the newly recorded Finsters in my mind talking to her. It was so perfect. Tress was at her finest hour as always. She was right on the money. Again, with the laughing, the jokes and everyone in the room was having a good time!
Now it was 12 noon and we were all done. She delivered what the Finsters needed and I knew it. She, just like Billy and Charlie delivered ten fold.
Tress left and I was still cruising at 30,000 feet at altitude speed and dropping fast. WOW! What a rush. This is what cartoon making is all about for me and anyone that’s in the room with us. An experience you’ll never forget.
Everyone soon left, like they were leaving a great party. And it was. Everyone had fun and look forward to coming back again! With that, I knew we were all successful. The fact that we had a wonderful group of other creators and production people in there, made it like a real show and a way to test how well I wrote the script and how well the actors did.
I sat there myself for a while to wind down and take in the experience. I had so much fun. It was an extemely emotional experience for me at that level.
I also reminded everyone that I recorded the Finsters at Cal Arts almost 23 years ago to the week! The same episode for my student film. This time I had a chance to make it a real studio with real pros! This was an experience that will be with me forever.
I got up and left the room a satisfied and successful cartoon maker.
Thanks for letting me share my feelings and thoughts with you. Take care.