Interview by Jim Borchardt
Charlie, when were you first introduced to freesking?
How did your in depth knowledge of skiing culture come about?
Do you spend a lot of time browsing Newschoolers.com?
Like many skiers, I got into freeskiing before I knew what it was called.
Its a mind set of experimenting with your skis, even before your first pair of twin tips.
After my friend introduced me to NS in 2009, I was addicted.
https://vimeo.com/108148364Bloom ad - Oh Snap!
When did you begin creating animated videos?
What did they feature?
And what motivated you to do make them?
Unfortunately I have no idea what became of those animations.
Between then and my freshman year of college, I didn’t animate anything else.
This realization allowed Mashed Potatoes to come to fruition.
I’m interested in the entire process from start to finish.
To start, how do you come up with your ideas?
What’s your technique?
What is your process of creativity?
When I have several hours of free time, I start to work on the actual episode.
I draw the characters and backgrounds in photoshop and reference any sketches if I have them.
After animating the movement, I ask my roommate to be quiet and I record the voices.
Usually, I record a few versions with different inflections and pick the one I like best.
I then sync the audio with the animation, add music and sound effects, and export the episode!
https://vimeo.com/108088142Bloom ad - Look at that rail!
I have found in my own creative pursuits that creativity can never be forced.
Like your experiences, I have found inspiration to come at random times when I’m busy.
Its hard to sit at a desk and force out a creative impulse.
I spend the majority of my time on graphic design and printmaking.
As a graphic design student, I see animation as design in motion.
They are very closely related and animation is a great asset to a designer.
I will definitely use animation throughout my career, though probably not as a primary medium.
For a several years I’ve been planning on working as a graphic designer in the ski industry.
It seems like a perfect way to support myself while doing what I love.
Currently, I’m interning with J Lev and LINE.
So far its been great to work with them and to see what happens behind the scenes.
So far my experience has reaffirmed my desire to work in the industry.
What, in your opinion, is effective advertising?
What do you think is a powerful way to communicate ideas to potential customers?
Building a sense of elitism is another powerful method of advertising.
By marketing a product as just out of reach, it creates an incredible allure.
People want what they can’t have.
https://vimeo.com/108147635Bloom ad - Drop in
I liked your point about short attention spans.
Overall, I think its had a positive effect.
Since news is much more readily available, people are able to be up to date on world events.
However, instant info at our fingertips leads many people to be less patient and more distracted.
I believe you made a trip to IF3.
How was that experience and how was your work received on the big screen?
I went to iF3 to do some coverage of the event Mashed Potatoes style.
The movies and parties were top notch.
I shared a cramped room with some fellow NS’rs and it was nice to put usernames to faces.
It reminded me of high school cliques.
Are you teaming up with NS and ON3P once more?
This year I plan to step up the quality in both the humor and execution of the episodes.
I’m really glad to continue working with NS and ON3P on this series.
Because of their support, I am able to produce many more episodes than I would have otherwise.
What has been the biggest struggle you have faced with your work?
Fortunately, I never struggle with thinking up the next episode.
The skiing community is ridiculous, so there is always fresh material for me to riff off of.
https://vimeo.com/108088143Bloom Ad - Dress up
What inspires you?
Who has been influential in shaping your view of life?
As for shaping my view of life, my dad is one of the most influential people.
http://www.newschoolers.com/membervideo/707746.0/MP--End-of-My-East-Coast-Season?s=128170&t=6&o=8
Thanks for your time Charlie!
