Channel Frederator Blog

Self portait by Anton Bogaty

Amid his many top-secret projects, “Death by Dying” creator/director Anton Bogaty took a moment to answer a few of Channel Frederator’s not-so-secret questions…

Channel Frederator: Where did you study animation?

Anton Bogaty: I attended the Savannah College of Art and Design and the University of Tennessee, but concentrated on drawing and illustration at both schools. What animation I’ve learned is self-taught.

CF: Who or what has influenced your work the most?

AB: At one point I strove to be more of a writer than a visual artist. During that period I was under the spell of several older generation authors who still influence me quite heavily today as far as their styles, approach and subject matter. A part of me still wants to only have to own a typewriter to survive as opposed to countless art supplies and computer programs. As far as animation goes I’m drawn to work that tends to be more serious or darker in tone. Martin Rosen’s films have been a large influence. It’s hard to find animated works that try to go beyond the aim of simply being entertaining these days, which is a shame I think.

CF: What is your favorite animation?

AB: Watership Down and Plague Dogs have been favorites in recent ears. They tackle themes and approaches to life and death which are hard to find in a lot of today’s animated films. Plus they prove just how engrossing and emotionally gripping a 2D film can truly be if wrapped around a story that strives to be fairly truthful about the human experience, even though they star animals. Bill Plympton’s “One of Those Days” is probably my favorite animated short. Good stuff.

CF: Do you have any upcoming projects that you can tell us about?

AB: The one project that’s most to blame for my weakened state of health is a roughly 13 minute film that I’ve been working on for a couple years now. Time allowing I’m hoping to finish it next year. It’s been through the ringer as far as revisions and changes and updates but it’s close and I tried hard not to compromise on anything. I have a feeling no one will want to sit through the damn thing but me but I had to work on it. Aside from that I’ve been storyboarding and animating on a variety of projects, large and tiny, that I probably shouldn’t talk about.

CF: Name the one thing you’d have to take with you to a desert island.

AB: A boat.

CF: Name the one thing you’d have to take with you to a dessert island.

AB: A boat with a bathroom.

Thanks, Anton.

You can see Anton’s “Death by Dying” short in this week’s episode of Channel Frederator by clicking below.

– Bailee DesRocher