The following is an interview with writer Dave Capdevielle (Lackadaisy, Starter Squad) and animator Ashley Nichols (Lackadaisy, Animaniacs) regarding the recent Kickstarter campaign launch for the animated pilot, Far-Fatched. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Capdevielle and Nichols about their shared creative process in bringing the project to live through animation, why crowdfunding has been such a valuable resource for independent creators, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the launch of your Kickstarter campaign! For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you describe the pilot’s premise?
Ashley Nichols: We like to describe it as “Scooby-Doo meets Resident Evil, but for people who shop at Hot Topic.”
Dave Capdevielle: Our rock band of main characters, Sesamoid, are trying to shoot their first music video at an abandoned summer camp outside of town. With a single camera and no budget, things turn worse when monsters come out of the woods to ruin their shoot and kill them. Can Sesamoid escape these crazy creatures in their old ice cream truck and get enough footage for their video?
BD: In preparation for the campaign, you have already produced a two-minute proof of concept short animation. What do you feel are the most rewarding aspects of crowdfunding, and Kickstarter in particular, which will benefit this project beyond the financial support?
AN: Crowdfunding is a fantastic way for a community to come together and create something greater than the sum of its parts. It’s a 30-day marathon of hype, support, community, and a great way for folks new to the project to see what it’s all about!
DC: Kickstarter provides independent creators the rare opportunity to raise funds for your projects without big studio interference that can end up limiting your creativity, and it’s a great way to connect with people who choose to help bring your ideas to life. Being able to communicate directly with your backers and offer them updates and rewards keeps people engaged and helps drive much greater interest in your project!
BD: In crafting your campaign, you have partnered with Iron Circus Comics’ Spike Trotman who brings a wealth of crowdfunding expertise. Given your experience in working with Iron Circus for a number of projects, how would you describe your collaboration in preparing to bring Far-Fetched to life?
AN: Spike has saved our skins from making some really uninformed Kickstarter decisions more than a few times at this point, haha. They are a steel-clad veteran at this point and having their guidance has been so helpful.
DC: It was such a relief being able to have the guidance of someone like Spike who has done this rodeo so many other times. There were so many nuances and specifics that we had no idea needed to be implemented to form a campaign like this, and they helped spell it out so clearly. Beyond thankful for all their help on this Kickstarter!
BD: Amidst the many challenges facing our community this year, Fanbase Press is focusing on the idea of “Building Your Community” to navigate a collective path forward. How do you feel that Far-Fetched’s focus on a band of misfits battling against larger-than-life forces might help readers to find a sense of community or belonging?
AN: I mean, that says it all right there. We, the collective animation community as a whole, are all just a bunch of misfits battling against a world that doesn’t understand us, trying to find a place to belong. All of us have dealt with bullying, feeling out of place, struggles with identity, or feeling ostracized from family, and Far-Fetched digs into those personal experiences and explores them in a very grounded way even with all the supernatural shenanigans. We want the community to feel seen/heard in the way we wanted to feel seen/heard growing up.
DC: There’s definitely a found-family element to Sesamoid and these characters coming together in hopes of growing closer and bigger in relevancy as a band. My favorite stories have always consisted of rag-tag groups of everyday people having to face off against much greater threats, because it really brings out the successes and struggles these characters have from playing off each other and becoming a stronger unit through extreme trials. It’s an aspect of storytelling that I think a lot of people can really relate to.
BD: In light of the Kickstarter campaign, are there any backer rewards that you would like to highlight for our readers?
AN: We’re partnering with Iron Circus, so a book is a given. We’re packing it full of all the production goodies we can, like concept art going all the way back to 2006, character art, production stories, scrapped ideas, and possibly a look to the future of Far-Fetched! It will also include every comic we’ve released and even revamped versions of some of the older comics.
DC: Besides the awesome comic/art book that Ashley mentioned, we’ll also have exclusive sticker packs, downloads of Sesamoid music, private watch-a-longs and Q&A sessions, animatic downloads, special signed prints, and much more. We really wanted to make sure people get their money’s worth for helping bring our pilot to life!
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find out more about Far-Fetched’s Kickstarter campaign and your other work?
AN: Our Kickstarter page has links to literally every Far-Fetched-related need you could have! And you can find me under the username “Ashley Nichols Art” basically everywhere. I stream regularly on YouTube, as well, so feel free to drop in and ask any questions you may have or just say hi!
DC: You can check our website and different social media accounts to keep up with all the announcements we’ll have about the Kickstarter! We’ll be posting frequently as the campaign rolls on, and appreciate any interest people have in Far-Fetched. You can find my personal work and pages under the name “Cadaver Dave,” though I don’t use social media much anymore.
