"Hi Stranger. It's been awhile..." And just like that, we're finally reunited with a noseless, clothesless and waxy individual we never realized we were missing
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Kirsten Lepore Gives Adventure Time a Stop-Motion Makeover
Kirsten Lepore Gives Adventure Time a Stop-Motion Makeover
MIKE O'DONNELL / EDITOR
Whoever you are, and wherever you are, find a television and sit in front of it at 7:30PM ET. WNW Member #3094 Kirsten Lepore has written and directed "Bad Jubies", the newest episode of Cartoon Network's Adventure Time, which airs tonight. What's more, she's given the show a complete stop-motion makeover. We spoke to Kirsten about the process of recreating this world with her voice: "In terms of creating a version of the show that felt like me, it was actually less of a challenge than I thought it would be. I think my visual style and story sensibilities have a lot in common with AT’s off the bat, which made the process go pretty smoothly. The hardest part for me, that really forced me out of my element, was writing all the dialogue and jokes. My personal films usually have no dialogue whatsoever, so I was incredibly nervous when I finally went to pitch to the network. Luckily it turned out to be a great experience."
This is too cool! How’d you get tapped to write and direct an episode of Adventure Time?
About a week after I released my grad thesis "Move Mountain," I got an email out of the blue from Adam Muto, the showrunner on Adventure Time, saying that they'd always wanted to do a stop-motion episode and after seeing my film (which was coincidentally also an 11 minute stop-motion short), they thought I would be a perfect fit to write and direct an episode of the show. After freaking out with excitement, I said yes, and started developing concepts for the episode.
Did you know from the get-go that you would give it the stop-motion treatment? What was it like, recreating this world on your terms, in your wheelhouse?
It was always going to be a stop-motion episode, as this is what the network was excited about - but it’s also what I specialize in, so it made sense. I definitely came up with some concepts in the beginning where Finn and Jake were a little too aware of the fact that their medium changed and Pen talked me out of that. I’m so glad he did, because I think what the episode evolved into was much better. There’s still a little wink & nod at the fact that they look different, but I tried to keep it subtle. In terms of creating a version of the show that felt like me, it was actually less of a challenge than I thought it would be. I think my visual style and story sensibilities have a lot in common with AT’s off the bat, which made the process go pretty smoothly. The hardest part for me, that really forced me out of my element, was writing all the dialogue and jokes. My personal films usually have no dialogue whatsoever, so I was incredibly nervous when I finally went to pitch to the network. Luckily it turned out to be a great experience - there were about 30 people in that room and everyone laughed! It felt great to know that this storyboard I slaved away at privately in my bedroom for 5 weeks actually worked as an episode once I shared it with an audience.
Can you give a little insight into the process of writing and directing an episode? Were you a big fan before working on the show?
It’s funny, I actually didn’t really watch the show before I got the directing gig. But I set out to watch every episode for research, and about 4 episodes in, I was already completely obsessed with the show and had become a super fan. So at that point, the pressure felt even higher to create something that would fit into this wonderful world that had already been established. Writing was definitely the hardest part of the process, but once I was finished, it was a joy to direct it and actually make it happen. It was incredibly exciting to finally step back from all the animation and building responsibilities that I usually take on, and let the professionals at Bix Pix (where we did all the production) work their magic with me supervising. They did such an amazing job - sooo much better than anything I could have done, and it was such a joy to work with them. And directing wasn’t without its stresses, but it was certainly more enjoyable with a team than by working alone.
What other animated shows would you love to work on, and add your touch?
Oh man! I’ve never even thought about it! Hmmmm, it’d be pretty fun to do a Simpsons' couch gag, actually.
Based on everything you've learned as a creative professional, what are some top tips you can share with the WNW community?
I think the biggest ones that have helped me are:
1. Finish your films/projects.
This is more applicable to people making time-based things or really huge projects that take extended periods of time. I’ve found that inevitably there’s a point in those long projects that you’re totally over it and want to give up. But the world hasn’t seen it yet, so it’ll still be new and exciting to them - but they can only see it if you finish it. Sometimes you really have go back to your initial sketches and get back in touch with what excited you about the project in the first place to reignite that spark.
2. Put them online and keep a well-curated online portfolio.
This is pretty simple, but I have to say it because I often see people hiding some of their best work away because they’re too self-conscious or something. I think it’s really important to keep your online portfolio up to date and constantly evolving. The internet is the best free distribution platform - it’s how I’ve gotten all my work and why I’m able to support myself. The WNW community seems to have their stuff together though, so I’m not even sure how much this applies. I feel like the community members really know how to design and to present themselves professionally.
What’s next for you, besides remembering daily that you just wrote and directed an episode of Adventure Time!
Haha - it is really exciting! But currently I’m helping a good friend write her show that’s in development, as well as working on a new short of my own that I hope to complete in the spring!
Are you a WNW Member with new work, exhibits, products, or news to share? Email us!
WELCOME TO DISMALAND
WELCOME TO DISMALAND
Dismaland has been all anyone can talk about lately. We reached out to #78 Jason Headley, #1729 Brock Davis, and #3904 Kirsten Lepore, all WNW members whose original and provocative creations are now attractions at the dystopian amusement park. We learned their side of the story, from how they were contacted, to the importance of Dismaland, and the fact that they never met the bemusement park's elusive creator Banksy. And if they did, would they even know?
Kirsten Lepore's inclusion in Dismaland came as somewhat of a surprise to her: "I basically just got an email from Christopher Jobson at Colossal asking if he could screen my film "Bottle" at an art event and that the details were confidential at the moment. I said sure, and then a few weeks later it turns out it was Dismaland. That's all, haha. Pretty anticlimactic."
"Bottle" by Kirsten Lepore
Jason Headley almost didn't participate in Dismaland; he initially turned down the offer, "Christopher Jobson reached out to me from Colossal. Told me he was putting together some films for an outdoor film festival event and wanted to screen "F*ck That." I was deep in the throes of rewriting a script for the second round of consideration for the Sundance Labs. I had to submit it in a few short days, so I told him no thank you.
He emailed back and said, 'I think you're going to want to be in this.' I ignored that email. He emailed again. I finally relented. A week later, he told me what it was. The day before Dismaland opened. So I'll be offering a seminar soon: 'Succeeding Through Near-Failure: The Jason Headley Story.'"
"F*CK THAT: a guided mediation" by Jason Headley
Brock Davis was slightly more involved in the process, since he was contacted to create original pieces for Dismaland, as well as bring in some of his finished pieces. Apparently those pieces had a secret admirer: "It came out of the blue, I received an email from Pest Control in February who forwarded a message to me from Banksy, saying that he liked my work and wondered if I would be interested in taking part in a group exhibition he is curating.
"He said the theme of the exhibition is Abandoned Amusement Park, largely because the event will take place in an abandoned amusement park. Because he is curating the work, I sent him about 40 ideas and we narrowed it down to about 30. Two installations, two sculptures, current non-theme related photographs, new photographs and a photograph series. For the final event, I ended up exhibiting 18 pieces. My work is in the main gallery, along the wall next to a large Damien Hirst sculpture... I had a great time flying to the UK, installing the work, meeting the other artists, attending the opening and after parties. And I love the quirky, seaside town of Weston-Super-Mare. "
Contributions of Brock Davis, created for Dismaland
They also talked about what they feel is the power of Dismaland, and what they hope it does for both the artistic community and the public at large. Jason, while not planning to fly over to the UK to take the tour of Dismaland, thinks it's a pretty powerful display of art. "I would love to walk through the space and see everything in person. The photos are intense. I love the refugee boats. And the Cinderella paparazzi piece. (Although, this may be the place to start my movement to stop using that word. They're not 'paparazzi.' They're 'photo thugs.') I'm either not intelligent enough or aspirational enough to have any grand thoughts and aspirations for what Dismaland might accomplish. I'm just happy it exists."
Brock adds, "The messaging and tonality is very consistent with the social commentary prevalent in Banksy’s work, it’s just on a larger scale. I really love the originality of combining a contemporary art exhibition with the energy of an amusement park. It’s a very interesting way to view the work and I think very memorable."
Brock was also quite impressed with Banksy's Cinderella installation: "There is some phenomenal work in the show, covering a wide range of artists and mediums, yet the works are all very cohesive to the theme. My favorited piece is Banksy’s Cinderella installation. It’s a large sculpture of Cinderella’s coach, having wrecked with her body laying over the wreckage. Paparazzi flash bulbs are firing around the scene. Viewers become part of the scene as soon as they start taking their own photos with their phones. This with the chatter of the audience adds realistic elements to the work. It’s a very strong piece."
Banksy's Cinderella Installation
We had to ask if any of them met Banksy. Jason summed it up best: "I don't know if I met Banksy. For all I know, you're Banksy."
UK Members: Tickets for a Dismaland tour from September 8th-15th will go on sale at 10am on Wednesday September 2nd.
Banksy's Selections of Brock's Work
These are images that I had shot over the last 2-5 years that Banksy hand-picked for inclusion in the exhibit.
A photographic series in which I drove a 170lb turnstile all over the place photographing it in front of various landscapes. The actual turnstile is at the event as well, positioned close to the images that show where it has been. Banksy picked 10 of my original 15 images and then narrowed it down to his 6 favorites.
Are you a WNW Member with new work, exhibits, products, or news to share? Email us!
MEET #3094 KIRSTEN LEPORE
MEET #3094 KIRSTEN LEPORE
Animator • Los Angeles, CA
WNW Member #3094 Kirsten Lepore is an animator and director based in Los Angeles. Her films have taken top prizes at SXSW and the Vimeo Awards, and she's given presentations everywhere from Pixar to Portugal. Some of her clients include Google, MTV, Yo Gabba Gabba, Newsweek, Whole Foods, Toyota, Facebook, Nickelodeon, Nestle, and Glamour Magazine. Kirsten spoke to WNW about her life as a freelancer and advice from Fred Seibert that she never forgets.
1. How long have you been freelancing?
I think it's been about 7 or 8 years?
2. Is there a time or place that you feel most creative/have the best ideas?
Definitely late at night - once most people are asleep - I have my quiet late night work session of intense focus. I also get super inspired being out in nature....or the craft store.
3. What's your ideal Working:Not Working ratio?
I usually love to have something I'm working on constantly or I get bored. I also never usually have consistent days off...I'll just work more on some days than others. I'd say 85% working 15% not working?
4. Do your parents understand what you do?
Surprisingly yes! They're super supportive! There have also been several instances where I was watching TV with my mom and an animated commercial came on, and she'd be like "Was that done in Flash?" and guess the software, haha. Sometimes she's way off, but I'm always impressed with her understanding of animation.
5. What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?
Pretty much any scene from Wayne's World, like this one. I can pretty much quote that entire movie.
6. If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what 3 websites would you take with you?
I regret to admit it'd probably be facebook...but probably also Vimeo and SoundCloud. Does email count too??? Might need my gmail out there...
7. What do you do when Not Working?
Cooking!!! ...and eating!
8. Do you have a hidden talent?
I guess it might be considered "hidden" to my current friends since they've probably never seen me do it, but I've played piano since I was about 2. Music was the biggest part of my life before filmmaking or animation ever entered the picture.
I also used to be really good at making armpit farting noises.
9. Any tips or advice for fellow freelancers?
The best advice I ever received from a client that was eye-opening at the time was from Fred Seibert (the guy responsible for all the awesome creative direction for 80s MTV and Nickeodeon). I was doing a project for him and pitching a few concepts that I must have thought he would "go for." He stopped me at a certain point and told me that he'd rather me come up with a bunch of ideas that I loved and that excited me, rather than trying to just do what I thought the client wanted. He was such an awesome, brilliant guy and I've been thinking about and have tried to stick to that advice ever since.
10. What's your favorite thing on the internet this week?
It's a tie between these guys and the moon emoji meme.
