Channel Frederator Blog

Emmett Goodman

Animator/director Emmett Goodman chews the fat with us over his latest animated endeavors and - bonus! - teaches us a thing or two about eating on the cheap.

Channel Frederator: Who has influenced your work the most?

Emmett Goodman: My influences change depending on what I am working on, but by the end of the day, I feel like I am influenced by the same artists.

The biggest eye-opener for me is Nick Park and the work that comes out of Aardman. I would have to cite John R. Dilworth, who is my favorite New York animator, and another eye-opener. I have always loved the Warner Bros. directors, Chuck Jones in particular. Live action filmmakers like Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Tim Burton and the Coen Brothers make their way in there. Dr. Seuss is an influence I am sometimes not aware of, but comes out in the end. I am also greatly influenced by music, a lot of old rock music. Peter Gabriel is one of my favorites.

CF: What is your favorite animation?

EG: I like animation that isn’t too realistic, but really expressive. The old Looney Tunes and Aardman work is very expressive. I’m a sucker for emotion, and my favorite emotions come from these animations. Anything that is simplified or exaggerated, but can still do anything.

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

EG: At the moment, I am embarking on my first music video, which I am tremendously excited about, and hope to have ready by this summer. I am working with a band called Analogue, and the name of the single is “I’m Not A Mover”.

I love old music videos, and they offer great opportunities for different forms of animation. I intend to show it at festivals, as music videos are no longer shown on television. Personally, I think they should be shown in the theaters more often. I am also helping on a documentary. I also hope to start up a new personal film this year.

CF: What is your go-to cheap food to eat when money’s tight? Mine is canned tomato soup… in case you were wondering.

EG: I am a rather picky eater, so even when money is tight, the cheapest stuff doesn’t necessarily bother me. I guess a dish made with eggs is my go-to cheap thing, because eggs are pretty cheap, and can be prepared in various ways. Eggs and toast, if there is any bread around, stale or not stale.

Eggs + stale bread + plus a little milk and sugar = French toast. You are a genius, Emmett. Thank you.

Visit Emmett on Channel Frederator RAW, and check out his film, “Parasite’s Delight”, right here in this week’s episode of Channel Frederator!

– Bailee DesRocher