BEHIND THE SCENES AND Q&A  >  SEASON 3 SCIENCE INTERSTITIALS

SEASON 3 Science INTERSTITIALS

Q&A WITH CREATOR QUENTIN TICE
1. What is your background in sketch/comedy/film?
Mostly writing, producing and production work for news and creative services. I've also done a little video and graphic production work for live theater and a sitcom.
I've been taking/doing improv and sketch on and off for about 4 years.

2. Tell us about some of the challenges of making your film.
 I had no idea how to make a cartoon! 
Learning how to draw for them was pretty straight forward but figuring out how to use the software and create an efficient workflow involved A LOT of YouTube tutorials, Google searching and trial and error.

3. What would you do differently if you were to make this film again?
 I'd use (or customize) software specifically for cartoon makers. I would have also have liked to toy with photorealistc images, textures and depth of field/3D environments. Unfortunately my learning curve was a little steep to pull any of that off within our timeframe.

4. What's next for you? What's your next film project going to look like?
 Not sure yet. I have a bunch of ideas. Just need to figure out which (if any) works best for Video Lab. I'd like to find a creative perspective to present sketch and/or improv comedy. I have an idea for a game show and a bigger animation project. I’d also like to experiment with narrative. Think "Being John Malkovich’...'s cell phone or what if Carrie Bradshaw taught level 1 improv or sketch?

5. Tell us about the Magnet Video lab and its role in making this film happen.
 These shorts were all inspired by my labmates' ideas. From the individual experiments to the kids voices, I'd have struggled without the input. Most of all I'm thankful for the "yes, and" attitude this whole group has. I've never experienced anything like it in a working situation.

6. Where did the inspiration for this video come from? 
 I watched some old Mr. Wizard and Bill Nye episodes about magnets and realized that the little experiments they give to kids are pretty haphazard by today's standards. We decided to make up our own "professor" and have him demonstrate little diy experiments. We just heightened the absurdity. 

7. How did the Magnet Video Lab help you grow as an artist from Season 2 to Season 3?
 Lots! I learned how to draw, the different approaches to cartooning and voice over work, basically everything that went into making those things. I also learned a lot about the importance of preproduction, how a small crew/shoot operates and the importance of timing and editing in a comedy video. Most of all I know how much more inspired and thoughtful the creative process is when you work with like-minded, supportive people.
VIDEO
A series of interstitials created specifically for season 3 of the Magnet Video Lab show.

Premiered at Magnet Theater on January 25, 2015


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