Kevin is a co-creator of the comic book and animated film director. In an interesting and entertaining interview, Kevin Hanna spoke about his diverse career, ranging from video games to TV shows and films now. Seemingly devoted storyteller with a passion for connecting with fans and audiences, Kevin tells us all about what inspired him to lead such a versatile career. He talks about the Clockwork Girl from its foundation to the process of bringing the story to the big screen. He also touches on his thoughts about the current situation in the animated film industry, as well as talk about the video game projects and possible future film projects through its Frogchildren Studios.
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JL: You started your career in video games. However, after several years that you've moved on to get into TV animation. As for what to do and what you have to jump into this new field?
Kevin Hanna: I love telling a good story, and making cool stuff, regardless of the medium. For me, the line between video games and film and television has always been a thin one. Whether experienced through passive or active participation of the audience, narrating narration **. ** My job is to engage audiences and keep them on the edge of the seat.
JL: Interesting. As the game myself, I often feel video games are not regarded as a valid artistic medium as it should be. Neither the majority understand the value of storytelling in games.
Move on, and returned to video games and found a job with Microsoft as one of the founders of the Xbox team. But then you branch out, this time entering the world of comics. What inspired you to be in the area?
KH: I just really love comics. Where film and video games are a common party that many people need to tell the story of the comic allow the artist (for better or worse) to engage reader unfiltered, and un-compromised. I make comic books for that reason.
JL: It's nice to see that you seem so dedicated to connecting with the audience and seems to have that mentality that only natural-born storyteller. Now, speaking about the comics, yes, of course, brings us to the Clockwork Girl, you have created with Sean O'Reilly. How did you two meet and get involved the creation of this comic together?
KH: In 2003, I was at the Emerald City Comicon with a small stand selling mini-comics, is delighted when the Canadian tinkerer saw my picture and told me to work together. Sean and I started our first project together right after the other comic book projects.
As the years went by Sean has gone from a small press guy become a high profile publisher and film producer, and I went out to the artistic director animator for Disney, and then started his own animation studio.
Sean and I were one day, and the conversation led to a tinkerer picture and pushed me to start doing something with it. I came up with the basic concepts and characters for comic Clockwork Girl, and Sean has expanded to a simple idea, adding more characters, defining the world and really brought the script to life. Shortly thereafter, Clockwork Girl first issue was published in 2007.
Now Sean's production and I'm directing the film. It is exciting to think this May will be the first time the creative team from the comic book series is the same as the creative team of film adaptation, at least in the west. Hayao Miyazaki's got a pretty big head start on us in the east.
JL: Sounds like you two hit it off and have a very good working relationship. I also find it interesting that the creators of original material are the same as those making movies here. Too often it feels like the "Lost in Translation", so to speak with new people trying to convey thoughts and ideas of the creators when moving from one medium to another.
For those readers who are unfamiliar with the comic, can you tell us what Clockwork Girl is all about?
KH: strip is a quiet, sweet story about a boy meets girl in a world ruled by mad scientists. Romeo and Juliet, but with monsters and robots.
JL: Of course, now, we'll be seeing a remake of the Clockwork Girl animated feature film. What possessed bring Tesla and gang film arena?
KH: A lot of people, fans and filmmakers, like the characters and world of Clockwork Girl brought to life on the big screen. Sean and I most of all. With the ball already rolling, Sean and I felt that we could be the ones to do it right.
for the film, we really have to amp up the world. Like the strip as it is, but if you adjust it directly to film the movie will be 20 minutes long. Clockwork Girl film is an action epic steampunk adventure tale with action anime. little robot girl was first brought to her kind in the world on the brink of civil war. She makes friends with his father's sworn enemy, Huxley monster boy, and two of them to uncover a conspiracy that puts the whole world is against them. With only each other and must fight to save the world.
JL: Now, this will be your directorial debut, is not it? What inspired you to be one step behind the camera and the head of this project?
KH: This is my feature film directorial debut, but I was directing television, video game cut scenes, and commercials for 16 years. However, I am in no way trying to say that I am old in December This film is the hardest thing I've ever done and asked me to stretch creatively in a way I never knew was possible.
part of my motivation to do this film was born from my frustration with the animated films for children. I love Pixar, but the industry seems set on them, ripping off the superficial ways, resulting in a very narrow gene pool. We only have one flavor animated feature film coming
right now, and I'd love to see him Spetljao bit.That is what we are here to do with Clockwork Girl, try and add some much needed variety of animations.
JL: I can totally understand that. Today, it seems that everyone is trying to be Pixar. Every time I turn around, it feels like your getting the same animated film you've seen before. Granted some are good, but the market as a whole feels a bit stale.
What was it like for you to watch your creation come to life on screen and that people like Carrie-Anne Moss and Brad Garrett and Alexa Vega made the right voice for your characters?
KH: I've always heard interviews with directors gushing about his cast, and I rolled my eyes. Having been in the trenches of film production I understand why. These guys gave it their all for this movie, and really brought the characters to life.
It was amazing, the casting was dead on. Brad Garrett was hysterical and horrifying as the T-Bolt. Jesse McCartney distorted and violent nature comes through in every line reading as Huxley. Jeffrey Tambor, who plays a tinkerer, brings a real depth of character addition to being very funny. Tinkerer is very near and dear to me and Jeffrey is no longer with the image then I had hoped.
It was amazing, the casting was dead on. Brad Garrett was hysterical and horrifying as the T-Bolt. Jesse McCartney distorted and violent nature comes through in every line reading as Huxley. Jeffrey Tambor, who plays a tinkerer, brings a real depth of character addition to being very funny. Tinkerer is very near and dear to me and Jeffrey is no longer with the image then I had hoped.
...
Alexa Vega is the Clockwork Girl, in every respect. Her joy for life, herhonesty, a sense of wonder, and even the way you move it all comes though in every frame. the whole movie depends on her, and she pulls of beauty.
I have to give it to our producers and casting directors who have supported our casting for the characters, not what is trendy comedian at the moment. We do not have any 30 years-olds play teenagers or goofballs playing serious roles. This cast has gravity.
JL: It really sounds like an interesting cast. And I must say it was refreshing to see a film riding on its own merits rather than trying to bank on behalf of whoever is hot today. Will this be the box office? Or are you looking more towards the thing straight-to-DVD type?
KH: The whole theater! I can not go into details, but look forward to seeing Clockwork Girl in a theater near you!
JL: Hmm no specific huh? So, no release date, we can talk about?
KH: Winter 2011
!
JL: Any plans to show the film at any film festivals
?
KH: Again, we are in talks to work out the details, but do not have anything to announce officially
.
JL: Given the background you have, are there any plans to take ownership of Clockwork Girl on the medium of video games may be
?
KH: You bet! Same as above, saying that some big people now, and when the ink is dry we put a Clockwork Girl games / toys / etc. Honestly I'm most excited about toys. All these transformations, vehicles, monsters and robots are going to make for some wicked action figures.
JL: Wow. Indeed it sounds like you have great ambitions and plans for this franchise. Now, getting a little off-topic, while talking about video games, your company Frogchildren Studios has been involved in many things, some of which are video games. If I understand correctly this also includes working with Kinect. You yourself were involved in the creation of Kinect adventures, if I'm not mistaken. Do you have any other video game properties you're doing? All you can talk about? Any other Kinect projects doing?
KH: My company Frogchildren Animation Studios is a little involved in the development of Kinect Adventures. We did a lot more work for ESPN designing experience for Xbox. I directed and designed the promo video that we helped bring ESPN to Xbox to life. I'm not really into sports, but we were super Frogchildren Studios to design new ways of how people interact with their entertainment.
I have a few Xbox video projects that we've already done, or are forthcoming, but all the things that we can not talk about yet! All I can say that we are making cool stuff together.
JL: Finally, on future projects, do you have plans for future TV or film projects, in order to perhaps continue his career in the industry as a director? Maybe Sixteen Miles to Merricks adaptation?
KH: I'm going to keep the bills until someone makes me stop. Merricks is definitely on my radar (or anything Merrick author Barnaby Ward). Clockwork Girl film is going fantastic and a lot of people are really liking what they see, so I was talking to a lot of great people on some large projects. Nothing is official but we'll see what the project lands in the first place. The next year is a big one for us, so keep an eye out for what to do next.