He was in the main cast, but we had to start finding story lines to put him into. The supermarket episode I believe was his first appearance, and then later we found more and more work for him. Doug Lawrence, who did the voice and was one of our directors, really pushed him to the forefront quickly ( funny how that happens. A slight conflict of interest there, but it served the show well.)
Pretty soon, Filburt, Rocko and Heffer were quite the trio.
Always had a soft spot for Filburt, so it’s nice to see him in the spotlight. Also, nice Chokey Chicken-esque glasses joke.
Do you know who you’ll draw next?
Hello Joe. I am 16 and I would like to be a cartoonist. I am looking forward to the release of your book. Is there a date yet? I am taking art classes in high school and in my spare time I am trying to increase my skills by drawing my favorite characters from cartoons and comic strips. In the meantime, what advice do you have for someone starting out?
You’ve been a continuing inspiration for me, Joe, and i think you may have just made one of my dreams come true. I found someone recently with amazing art talent that can only be compared to yours, and we’ve decided to try and create a comic book series to be published and put into stores. I’m the writer and he’s the artist, and hopefully, we can do it.
I quoted Filburt in an English class my Freshman year of college. Teacher said, “Turn the page” and I finished the quote. Teacher turned around and yelled, “What did you say!?”
I got a little intimidated and stuttered my way through explaining what I had said. But before i could explain where the character came from (Wrongly assuming those over thrirty wouldn’t catch onto a reference from a show from my childhood), when I was interrupted by a surprising retort, “I love that show!!” At which point my 40-some-odd-year-old-teacher went back to writing on the dry erase board while quoting, “I’m nauseous, I’m nauseous…” and finished the lecture on the ever serious 18th century philosophical ramblings of some philosopher who never left and impact.
I believe Joe is using Adobe Flash CS3 on a Wacom Cintiq 21ux to draw Filbert on, but I could very well be mistaken. I think that’s Mac OSX I see as well. I got my company to approve the budget for CS5 whenever it comes out, should be fun learning all the new bells and whistles. I like the story behind naming Filbert, I never knew he was named for a nut.
Awesome, Filburt was one of my favorite characters on the show – though it’s hard to pick, so many great characters. As far as who to do next, Ed and Bev Bighead, they would be so fun to draw (or at least learn how to draw properly) so they would be my vote for the next how-to.
Very interesting! I have been designing a few characters of my own for my Character and object class and the professor mentioned that the Art Institute of Pittsburgh (the school I go to) pulls suggestions for possible keynote speakers at the school and I immediately thought of you. I put in the suggestion, hopefully they pull mine out of a random hat, I would love to get advice from the person that created my most beloved childhood TV show and helped me to realize my love for animation. In case you’re wondering, I’m speaking of you, of course.
I loved watching Rocko’s Modern Life when I was younger! It wasn’t until I caught a couple of episodes when I got older did I REALLY catch the layering of jokes….!!!! Loved it and love it MORE now. It is my favorite cartoon to this day. I have a question. What episode did Rocko tell everyone He liked rainbows and everybody gave him the stink face?! I saw a picture on demotivateus.com (bottom of page–of course picture with rainbow) http://verydemotivational.com/page/11/and I instantly thought of the scene. LMBO I really hope that you bring out more episodes of Rocko’s Modern Life. My aunt and I are huge fans!
Rebecca on 27 Jan 2010 at 3:11 pm #
Are you amazing? Or what?!
Joe on 27 Jan 2010 at 3:18 pm #
I think you are a little biased. But sweet. Thank you.
Joe
david essman on 27 Jan 2010 at 3:32 pm #
Was Philbert in the main cast from the beginning? I remember in the supermarket episode Happy Sack, he’s a cashier that Rocko doesn’t seem to know.
Joe on 27 Jan 2010 at 3:39 pm #
He was in the main cast, but we had to start finding story lines to put him into. The supermarket episode I believe was his first appearance, and then later we found more and more work for him. Doug Lawrence, who did the voice and was one of our directors, really pushed him to the forefront quickly ( funny how that happens. A slight conflict of interest there, but it served the show well.)
Pretty soon, Filburt, Rocko and Heffer were quite the trio.
Joe
Jane on 27 Jan 2010 at 4:48 pm #
Always had a soft spot for Filburt, so it’s nice to see him in the spotlight. Also, nice Chokey Chicken-esque glasses joke.
Do you know who you’ll draw next?
Ty Code on 27 Jan 2010 at 5:45 pm #
this is awesome buddy. its like a special feature you would find on a dvd.
Ian McCrystal on 27 Jan 2010 at 7:01 pm #
Hello Joe. I am 16 and I would like to be a cartoonist. I am looking forward to the release of your book. Is there a date yet? I am taking art classes in high school and in my spare time I am trying to increase my skills by drawing my favorite characters from cartoons and comic strips. In the meantime, what advice do you have for someone starting out?
Ian
Tim L. Stevens on 27 Jan 2010 at 7:16 pm #
You’ve been a continuing inspiration for me, Joe, and i think you may have just made one of my dreams come true. I found someone recently with amazing art talent that can only be compared to yours, and we’ve decided to try and create a comic book series to be published and put into stores. I’m the writer and he’s the artist, and hopefully, we can do it.
Jessica on 27 Jan 2010 at 8:23 pm #
What program were you using to draw in there? I like the way it smoothed the lines when you were “inking” it.
Chris D. on 27 Jan 2010 at 8:49 pm #
“Turn the page, wash your hands.”
I quoted Filburt in an English class my Freshman year of college. Teacher said, “Turn the page” and I finished the quote. Teacher turned around and yelled, “What did you say!?”
I got a little intimidated and stuttered my way through explaining what I had said. But before i could explain where the character came from (Wrongly assuming those over thrirty wouldn’t catch onto a reference from a show from my childhood), when I was interrupted by a surprising retort, “I love that show!!” At which point my 40-some-odd-year-old-teacher went back to writing on the dry erase board while quoting, “I’m nauseous, I’m nauseous…” and finished the lecture on the ever serious 18th century philosophical ramblings of some philosopher who never left and impact.
The entire class never laughed so hard again.
Matt on 28 Jan 2010 at 2:10 am #
Loving these video Joe, great stuff. Thanks a lot.
Greg on 28 Jan 2010 at 7:35 am #
I believe Joe is using Adobe Flash CS3 on a Wacom Cintiq 21ux to draw Filbert on, but I could very well be mistaken. I think that’s Mac OSX I see as well. I got my company to approve the budget for CS5 whenever it comes out, should be fun learning all the new bells and whistles. I like the story behind naming Filbert, I never knew he was named for a nut.
Joe on 28 Jan 2010 at 12:10 pm #
Pretty good Greg. Actually it’s Flash CS4, and yes, a Wacom Cintiq and Mac OSX.
Thanks for all of your responses to these video blog posts. It makes it worth while.
Joe
Mr. Semaj on 28 Jan 2010 at 12:45 pm #
My favorite Filbert story was “Fortune Cookie”, just for the madcap ending.
Jestoon on 28 Jan 2010 at 3:11 pm #
Hey Chris great story!
Joe, this post was fantastic! could you teach us how to Draw Ralph Bighead next?
That would be great!
Jestoon
Joe on 28 Jan 2010 at 3:17 pm #
Maybe I should take votes. Which character next?
Joe
Jestoon on 28 Jan 2010 at 3:39 pm #
Is that cel from “Sand in your naval” of Gladys Hippo about say”HOW DARE YOU!!!!” behind you?
Jestoon
Joe on 28 Jan 2010 at 4:34 pm #
Yes. I think I’ll be putting it up for sale soon.
Joe
corey on 28 Jan 2010 at 4:37 pm #
Thanks for the Filburt lesson!
My vote for next is Mr. Bighead or SPUNKY!
Jestoon on 28 Jan 2010 at 4:58 pm #
Ralph!
Jestoon on 28 Jan 2010 at 5:00 pm #
Or maybe Slippy the Slug
vixx on 28 Jan 2010 at 7:16 pm #
i love these videos, thank you for sharing everything.
i vote really really big man
i love how he says Gaze into my nipples of the future! haha Lol
Jestoon on 28 Jan 2010 at 7:17 pm #
or maybe Rocko’s Appendix, Pinky
Matt on 28 Jan 2010 at 7:48 pm #
My vote is Spunky.
Chris D. on 28 Jan 2010 at 9:44 pm #
I would have to agree with Spunky. Or Really Really Big Man.
Ty Code on 29 Jan 2010 at 2:15 am #
OOOOOOO Really Really Big Man has my vote. ive always been interested in superheros.
Dan on 29 Jan 2010 at 8:36 am #
I think Spunky would be my choice for the vote.
Jane on 29 Jan 2010 at 4:10 pm #
How about Virginia Wolfe?
Jon on 29 Jan 2010 at 4:22 pm #
My vote is Joe murray lol jk
But my vote is Ed Bighead and Bev Bighead
Joe on 29 Jan 2010 at 4:29 pm #
Maybe ED and Bev will be next.
Joe
Ian McCrystal on 29 Jan 2010 at 5:13 pm #
my vote is clam
Von on 30 Jan 2010 at 5:42 pm #
Awesome, Filburt was one of my favorite characters on the show – though it’s hard to pick, so many great characters. As far as who to do next, Ed and Bev Bighead, they would be so fun to draw (or at least learn how to draw properly) so they would be my vote for the next how-to.
Leandro on 30 Jan 2010 at 9:36 pm #
I vote for Mr. Bighead too.
By the way, nice video entry, I enjoy watching you draw these characters. Really cool!
Lean
Matt Stevanus on 01 Feb 2010 at 7:38 pm #
Very interesting! I have been designing a few characters of my own for my Character and object class and the professor mentioned that the Art Institute of Pittsburgh (the school I go to) pulls suggestions for possible keynote speakers at the school and I immediately thought of you. I put in the suggestion, hopefully they pull mine out of a random hat, I would love to get advice from the person that created my most beloved childhood TV show and helped me to realize my love for animation. In case you’re wondering, I’m speaking of you, of course.
Joe on 02 Feb 2010 at 11:17 am #
Matt, I’m honored.
Joe
LaTisha on 03 Feb 2010 at 1:57 am #
I loved watching Rocko’s Modern Life when I was younger! It wasn’t until I caught a couple of episodes when I got older did I REALLY catch the layering of jokes….!!!! Loved it and love it MORE now. It is my favorite cartoon to this day. I have a question. What episode did Rocko tell everyone He liked rainbows and everybody gave him the stink face?! I saw a picture on demotivateus.com (bottom of page–of course picture with rainbow) http://verydemotivational.com/page/11/and I instantly thought of the scene. LMBO I really hope that you bring out more episodes of Rocko’s Modern Life. My aunt and I are huge fans!
Jestoon on 03 Feb 2010 at 4:28 pm #
LaTisha, I Believe your thinking of “Clsoet Clown”
when Ed bighead becomes a clown, and is ashamed when everbody finds out so thats when rocko says he likes rainbows.
Jestoon