Published by Joe on 08 Jul 2010 at 05:25 pm
July 8, 2010
I came across this model sheet I did of Spunky for the Rocko pilot, ( I’m putting it up for sale in the Archive store). and it flooded me with a lot of memories of the pilot, and how we did it with a lot of sweat, and flying by the seat of our pants. A lot of what I’m feeling now with Frog in a Suit and Kaboing TV. Also, that we are trusting are gut without any pre-conceived templates. Making it up as we go along.
Carlos Alazraqui ( voice of Rocko, Lazlo, and Garcia on Reno 911) is coming over to my home studio next week to lay down some tracks for Frog. It reminded me of when he first came to audition in my co-producer George Maestri’s basement in San Francisco. It was 1991 I believe, and George had a little make shift recording set up. Carlos was probably the 50th person we listened to, and Rocko came out of him, and then Spunky, and I knew we had both. When Rocko went into production and I moved the studio down to LA, we would fly him in to Burbank to record. He would stay at my house in Studio City. We always laugh about the time my pipes in the kitchen busted, and Carlos climbed under my house to find the water main switch because I didn’t fit.
Anyway, he’s a good friend, and taking time out before he leaves on his honeymoon to help the project out. It’s becoming quite an adventure.
There are few new things in the Archive store that I just love ( especially the cel from Jetscream where they are morphing from being in a free fall.)
All is good!
Art Vandelay on 08 Jul 2010 at 10:23 pm #
I remember when Spunky dragged his butt on the floor. That was funny.
I wanted to ask you, did Stephen Hillenburg use Rocko’s modern life as a rough model for Spongebob? I know he worked with you…
I haven’t really watched cartoons in a while, but I think some of the characters were similar…
For example:
Rocko is like Spongebob
Heffer is like Patrick (they’re both fat and dumb)
Ed bighead is like Squidward (both cranky neighbors)
Filburt could be like Sandy I guess.
Spunky is like Gary the Snail.
Just wondering your thoughts on that..
Good luck with Kaboing!
Kevin Johnson on 09 Jul 2010 at 12:18 pm #
Hey Joe, was the pilot the first thing that Nick commissioned you for, or was it the “pitch,” as it were, for the network before it was green-lit? Or was it a bit of both? Just curious.
Looking forward to KaboingTV and Frog in a Suit so much.
– Kevin
Joe Murray on 13 Jul 2010 at 1:09 pm #
Kevin:
Networks don’t usually commission “pitches”. Once they are interested in your idea, they will first commission more materials, writing, then storyboards. Then if they still like it, they will commission a pilot, or have you do a pilot through their studio.
That’s the way it happened with Rocko.
It’s all in my book coming out next month. ( how’s that for a plug?)
Joe
Matt Stevanus on 13 Jul 2010 at 2:43 pm #
Ah, takes me right back to my childhood, when I watched the pilot with my aunt, while sitting on her waterbed. That was one of my favorite childhood memories. I just got the thank you letter and I’m probably framing that baby to commemorate the fact that I did something for animation. Thank you Joe and I’m looking forward to getting your book soon, hopefully, have a good one!