Joe Murray's Journal

Here are some screen caps from the first final scenes coming back from animation. Jantze Animation in Georgia are doing a great job.

At times I have to stop and remind myself that I am holding standards for cartoons that cost around a half million per half hour to produce with a staff of 50 or so in house, and 200 in an overseas studio. For just the kickstarter money, ( and a hell of a lot of sweat equity) I’m hoping we will do the Kickstarter backers proud, and kick this web channel off in good fashion.

In some ways however, it’s the adage:  Inexpensive- Good Quality- Done Quickly    : Pick any two. Because it’s very difficult to have all three.

I also realize that my work has always been more personal stories. Not so much pop culture cartoons. So we will see how these play. Both of these episodes have some personal experience and metaphorical points that maybe some won’t get until they have a few watchings.

Hmmmm. We will see.

Voice Actor Jill Talley Shows How It’s Done.

I’ve given so much attention to Tom Kenny and Carlos A. for their voice work, I wanted to send some props’ along to the very talented Second City, Mr. Show actress Jill Talley for her work on these Frog In A Suit episodes.( She was also Gretchen and Nina in Camp Lazlo). This clip shows Jill in action perfecting lines for Peete’s crush Lilly Hopper, and I’ve included early rough animation to see how they play. You will also see me directing the voice session with my engineer Krandal Crews at Sunshine Studios. Hope you like!

I have to say that this KaboingTV, Kickstarter, Frog In A Suit roller coaster ride is nothing like I’ve ever encountered before. There are behind the scenes stories that I can’t talk about yet, but , depending on how this all turns out, would make a great book.

With any start up, there is enthusiasm, and then on days of extreme fatigue there is a “What the f*ck am I doing? feeling. I get a good nights sleep, remind myself what I’m trying to do, and hopefully how many artists it may have the possibility of helping, and I jump back on the horse.

I can tell you that these episodes are costing a hell of a lot more than the initial kickstarter money ( and good thing we went over, because after Amazon fees, kickstarter fees, cards not getting charged, and the money for thank you gifts, we ended up with almost exactly 16, 800. the original goal.)  But it’s mostly because of my need to do things right ( “Don’t do anything half-ass ” my Dad used to say) Yes, so I’m putting in full cheeks.

All I can do is do my best, and we will go from there. If it’s meant to work, and the marketplace is right for it, then we will move on from there.

I forgot to relay a really funny scene that happened over the weekend.

Having already had 3 books published ( Children’s books) it was always a crap shoot whether you would find them actually in the bookstore. Out of the millions of books competing for shelf  space in a highly competitive children’s book market, it was hard to place them in the larger book stores.

So, my daughters and I went to our favorite bookstore ( a Barnes and Noble) and the girls noticed me glancing over at the animation and art book section.

“Whaddya looking at Dad”?

“Oh just checking to see if they have my book in stock”. I was nervous. Didn’t know if I wanted to know.

Suddenly, they both grabbed each of my arms and started dragging me to the section “Let’s go see Dad! This is a big deal!!”

We started scouring the book titles. After a bit, I said. “It’s okay. It’s not here. Lets go”. But just then, like Charlie getting a glimpse of the Golden ticket, Rocko’s eye catches mine beneath a book on script writing. My oldest daughter Daisy saw it too. “It’s Here!!”

Trying to act cool. I just smiled, looking around at the other startled book buyers. My daughters on the other hand were all too keen on making sure everyone in that store knew that their Dad’s book was proudly sitting on the shelf of their favorite bookstore.

A moment I’ll never forget.

Although I love the summer, I’m enjoying getting back to some rhythm. Kids back at school. The episodes of Frog are progressing ( More in the quality aspect than quantity.) I’m not one to tweak until the cows come home, but I want these to be right. But I’m also having fun. It’s the pendulum, ( as Mr. Warburton quotes in my book) that swings from art to commerce that if you are not careful, will crack your skull open. It’s all a balance. Life and Art. Art and Work. Life and Work….. money?  That’s a whole other beast in itself.

I’m finding my job description as an Animator, producer, Entrepreneur, a creator with two network shows in the past that a lot of people have a strong connection to,,, keeps changing. I keep finding new situations where I go “Yes,,, this is important to my job description. Keeping this plate spinning is important to me. On top of Dad, Boyfriend, etc…. But the line between work and play is not so defined with these job descriptions. And I love that. Very fortunate.

Uh oh…. the phone is ringing. And I can’t find it under my pile of storyboard pages.  It’s here somewhere…….

On another note. ( and maybe I’m too sensitive to this stuff) my video blog with Tom talking about amputee’s. I didn’t want to come off like Tom is a pain in the Ass in records because he’s thinking about how other people feel. Tom is the opposite of a “pain in the Ass” in the recording booth. More of a delight, someone you watch in awe. I just found the whole conversation funny, and a good insight into how we discuss when we are crossing the line.

Okay… back to work.

In case you missed the live stream here’s the link:

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9133446

We kind of messed up and only recorded 41 minutes of it out of the hour, but at least that much is here.

Thanks for those who showed up! Thanks to Michael Gazin and Kevin Johnson for their moderating and producing help, Suzanne Kasch, and everyone who helped spread the word!

My friend Elwood Smith sent this along, and we had a laugh ( He’s an extremely  talented veteran Illustrator) because no matter how high tech everything gets, we always fall back on the trusty chalk talk to entertain!

Last chance to post some questions before the streamcast tonight ( 6pm Pacific California time). You can post them here, or twitter them @joemurraystudio.

Let me say up front, I probably won’t be answering “When is Rocko coming out with a proper DVD boxed set?” I get that question all of the time, and the answer is, “I have no idea”. I and others have had repeated attempts at trying to make that happen, and for some reason, Nick chooses not to. That’s all I can say on that.

What am I really excited to talk about? Of  course I will still answer Rocko and Lazlo questions, but I’m really excited to talk about the book, Frog in a Suit, and KaboingTV!   Hope you can make it!

When you write in a question, can you give us  your full name and where you are from?

Let me just preface this by saying, I have a real soft spot for anyone who has been dealt a blow in life , especially as a result of being sent into battle on behalf of this country, ( or any country). And I’m also an animal rights activist. But for some reason, I’ve used animals in my cartoons and have gorged on the imperfections of life. And when it comes to villains, or authority figures, I have not pulled any punches, and at times I’ve driven viewers to actually feel sorry for the archetypal bad guy. That said, I went about recording an insensitive cowboy industrialist toad and a French policeman with Tom Kenny and Carlos Alazraqui last week,,, and…. well…. this is how it went down:

I decided to create a one of kind first edition release date book, with drawings of all my main characters. It’s a real keepsake because it will be the only one signed and dated with Aug 24, 2010, and I doubt I will draw this many characters on a copy. Check it out on Ebay! I will also personalize it at your request.

So, with the help of Kevin Johnson, I’ve finally made the plunge ( or the leap, I should say) to Twitter. To get my “tweets” go to http://twitter.com/joemurraystudio and sign up. I’ll be sending exclusive info out, and also a heads up when a blog goes up, or an auction will end, or when I go live streaming like I will be this Tuesday on ustream.tv at 6pm psd.

I will also be using twitter during the live event so you can send in questions that I can answer, ( or comments.)

I feel a need to do a shout out and a nod of gratitude to the outrageously talented friends who contributed to my  book. I’m busy today sending out copies to all  of them, and it just fills me with emotions.

Tom Kenny- What can you say about one of the most successful voice artists in history who doesn’t carry around an ounce of ego. Tom has been a good friend, and the voice of some of my most beloved characters, Heffer, Scoutmaster Lumpus, Slinkman. Oh and does a few other voices, lets see,,,,,hmmmm ,,, that yellow sponge thing. Anyway, always gives 100%, always there as a friend, and I love his wife Jill Talley ( also an amazing voice actor) and their two kids.

Steve Hillenburg- Steve still doesn’t seem any different to me than the guy with a back pack I first met at an animation festival back in ’92 and talked him into coming on board my weird tv show. It’s strange to watch your friends creation become a worldwide icon ( Spongebob), but it couldn’t have happened to a more talented, generous and smart person. He’s also a great husband and a great dad.

Everett Peck- Back in the 80′s when I was making my living as an illustrator, there were a few illustration Gods everyone looked up to. Everett Peck was one of them. When we met after he came out with Duckman, I have to admit I was a bit starstruck. But he’s the nicest guy you could ever meet. Smart, great teacher,  and of course talent in the highest degree. We got to know each other a lot better when he was doing “Squirrel Boy” and I was doing “Lazlo” and I was stoked he agreed to be a part of my book.

Craig McCracken- I always loved what was going on at Cartoon Network with Powerpuff and Dexters Lab, so when Linda asked me to pitch something to CN, it was the last cool place to go. Craig is one of the main reasons for that. He was a guiding force there for many years, and I have to say, one of CN’s “BIGGEST” mistakes was to let him go. Craig just told me this morning about the new stuff he has going on, and of course, the genius is at it again. His interview in the book is very articulate and outspoken for such a quiet guy.

Jeff Hutchins- Jeff had been my sound effects guy since Rocko, and I would have to say, the best in business. (He’s also the man behind the bubbles on Spongebob, and many other shows. His house isn’t big enough to display his zillions of emmys, But he’s also a great friend, and has demonstrated that many times.

Sue Mondt- I’ve know Sue long before Lazlo, but I was grateful to be able to steal her off of  Fosters to have her as my Art Director on Camp Lazlo. She is one of the hardest working, extremely talented people I know, and a role model for all women coming up in the business. If you thought Camp Lazlo had a beautiful look, it’s because Sue Mondt was working tirelessly at keeping it that way.

Dan Hawes- I haven’t known Dan as long as the others, but his contribution to the book and to animation is a breath of fresh air.

Finally Linda Simensky, who wrote the forward to the book. I have to admit, there were days I cursed the day she lured me into TV animation. But most days I’ve been very thankful. If it wasn’t for Linda, there most likely would not be a Rocko’s Modern Life or Camp Lazlo on the air these last two decades ( As well as Many many other great shows) If there was an animation hall of fame, she would be in it. Also a great friend, generous human being, and great mother.

Okay, I’m done gushing. I just had to get this out.