Michael Cusack: The Jack of All Trades in 3D Animation
Key Points:
- Animation maestro, Michael Cusack, is juggling multiple animation projects, earning him the reputation of perhaps the busiest animator around.
- Cusack is the showrunner of Adult Swim’s emerging flagship series, Smiling Friends, which he created with Zach Hadel.
- Not only catering to the Adult Swim audience, he’s also the mind behind Hulu’s alternative reality superhero series, Koala Man.
- The cherry on top of Cusack’s animation sundae, however, is his seasoned series YOLO, which has now come out with its third season, called Rainbow Trinity. It began as a series of shorts.
Conclusion:
In a world where animators are rumored to have a perpetual caffeine drip and live in a realm beyond time and space, Michael Cusack seems to be attempting to outdo them all. Jumping between multiple projects like a virtual reality parkour athlete, he’s not just working on one, but three high-profile animation series. Truly, he seems to be in a race against himself, trying to solve the puzzle of how many animated superheroes it takes to change a lightbulb (spoiler: it’s just one, and his name is Michael Cusack). Keeping his sanity intact while handling such intense projects, he’s either sipping on some magical concoctions or has cloned himself. Cusack, in his animation freneticness, is clearly carving a new definition of “workaholic”. Way to go, wizard of the animation realm!
Delve into the animated world of ‘YOLO: Rainbow Trinity’ © Cusack Creatures / Princess Pictures
Acclaimed Animator Michael Cusack is a beacon of creativity in the dynamic animation industry. Known for the successful series Smiling Friends and the surreal superhero show Koala Man on Adult Swim and Hulu, respectively, Cusack now presents the third season of his long-standing and popular series YOLO: Rainbow Trinity, a visual journey into the wacky and unpredictable outback of his homeland, Australia.
Join us as we explore the mind of Cusack, discussing the evolution of his series, the subtle differences in his animation style, and the delightful randomness of his storyline and animation.
Holding a decade-long bond with these characters, what drives you to keep weaving their tales?
The ebb and flow of character development was challenging initially, yet stimulating. Over time, I have fallen in love with the YOLO universe and its zany inhabitants. The thrill of discovering a fascinating new character unexpectedly and integrating them into the narrative is absolutely delightful. It’s a fun and rule-free process, allowing me to experiment with the characters and the plot.
Does managing different shows spark your creativity differently?
Indeed. Working with Zach on Smiling Friends invites fresh perspectives and inventive ideas that I might not have conceived alone. It’s an exhilarating feeling to watch our collective efforts come to life. However, it’s critical to ensure that the origin of our ideas remains distinct for each project, maintaining a unique identity for both shows.
How would you define your unique comedic taste, and how does it vary between Smiling Friends and YOLO?
My style revolves around intuitive decision-making and integrating Australian humor into YOLO. In contrast, Smiling Friends is prolific with ideas where Zach and I brainstorm and let the creativity flow, resulting in truly original content.
Experience the flight of fancy in ‘YOLO: Rainbow Trinity’ © Cusack Creatures / Princess Pictures
Do you often struggle with overthinking and self-replication in your creative process?
Yes, my critical nature can sometimes hinder my creative process. I’ve been learning to escape this cycle, focus on the joy of creating animations, and embrace collaboration. It not only adds fun to the process but also engenders diversified creativity.
Your animation style often embraces humorous absurdity. How do you plan these moments?
Often, “letting go” works wonders. There might be times when precise planning is required for a joke to truly land, but in most instances, we capitalize on unpredictable narrative turns and animate in a fun, rule-bending manner. It’s about enhancing the unpredictability and keeping the viewers pleasantly surprised.
Immerse yourself in the adventure with Sarah in ‘YOLO: Rainbow Trinity’ © Cusack Creatures / Princess Pictures
As your budgets grow, do you find it challenging to retain the ‘intentional crappiness’ in your animations?
Yes. The increased production can unintentionally normalize the animations. Ensuring that ‘YOLO’s ridiculousness is maintained requires constant attention and reminders that ‘this can be bad’.
As an experienced voice actor, has directing voice actors been a learning curve for you?
I owe my confidence in voice direction to an indie film I funded and directed in my 20s, which required years of ADR directing. Nurturing a comfortable environment and confidence in voice booth is vital. The key is making actors feel at ease, assuring them they can have as many takes as they need, and making the process as personal and relaxed as possible.
‘YOLO: Rainbow Trinity’ and its prequels are now streaming on Channel 4 in the UK and Ireland.
Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/michael-cusack-on-yolo-rainbow-trinity/