Genndy Tartakovsky Answers Animation Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED
Animator Genndy Tartakovsky answers the internet's burning questions about animation and cartooning. Why are there so many cartoon characters that don't wear pants? Why are Genny's Clone Wars episodes so short? How does one direct an animated show? What's the difference between animation and a cartoon? Genndy answers all these questions and much more.
New episodes of “Unicorn: Warriors Eternal” premiere Thursdays at midnight on Adult Swim and next day on HBO Max. Encores air Fridays at 7pm on Adult Swim and Saturdays on Toonami.
Director: Sean Dacanay
Director of Photography: Matthew Sweeney
Editor: Jordan Calig
Expert: Genndy Tartakovsky
Senior Producer: Efrat Kashai
Creative Producer: Justin Wolfson
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Paul Gulyas
Production Manager: Peter Brunette
Production Coordinator: Kevin Balash
Talent Booker: Paige Garbarini
Camera Operator: Shay Eberle-Gunst
Audio: Gray Thomas-Sowers
Production Assistant: Ariel Labasan
Groomer: Vanessa Rene
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Additional Editor: Paul Tael
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds
Still haven’t subscribed to WIRED on KZhead? ►► wrd.cm/15fP7B7
Listen to the Get WIRED podcast ►► link.chtbl.com/wired-ytc-desc
Want more WIRED? Get the magazine ►► subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_KZhead?source=EDT_WIR_KZhead_0_Video_Description_ZZ
Follow WIRED:
Instagram ►►instagram.com/wired
Twitter ►►twitter.com/wired
Facebook ►►facebook.com/wired
Get more incredible stories on science and tech with our daily newsletter: wrd.cm/DailyYT
Also, check out the free WIRED channel on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.
ABOUT WIRED
WIRED is where tomorrow is realized. Through thought-provoking stories and videos, WIRED explores the future of business, innovation, and culture.
One of the best cartoonists currently living, no doubt in my mind
Oh hi Max
Yes Max, yes he is…
Oh hi Mark. Erm, mean Max!
Forgot "currently" He's one of the greatest ever.
No Max, thats actually YOU! 😉
This man was single-handedly 90% of my childhood
And still going strong✏️
Wild! 🔥
And adult hood for me when he made primal he’sa genius
Shut up
I see what you did there!
I love that even after decades doing animation as a career, he still says ‘I like to draw’
Ikr? I wanna be like him
Clone Wars, Powerpuff Girls, Samurai Jack, Dexters Lab and the list goes on, what a living legend
Craig McCracken made The Powerpuff Girls, not Genndy.
@3XCL4M4t10N but he didn't create/direct the whole show.
Let's not forget Primal - his new show
@@3XCL4M4t10N Well, he storyboarded a few episodes such as Just Another Manic Mojo, Slave the Day & Power Lunch (with Chris Savino).
even the man himself forgot about sym-bionic titan
You can tell how much he loves his profession by how animated he is.
No way, the man who created my childhood, finally someone I know and love on here!
By how..... ANIMATED.... he is?? 😂
By how ANIMATED HE IS, CORALLLLLL
Man I'm starting to look forward to the Jo Po comment on every vid now
i see what you did there
How is a man thats so clearly the goat of his industry be so chill and humble.
I know, right? He's like your fun uncle that you don't see that often
Because it's passion, not ego or greed that motivates him.
A hard thing for many. Maybe being an animator who doesn't show their face a lot helps. Not a lot of people we know what you look like. But glad to know what he actually looks like now
Years and years creating things that people love, and then being cancelled over and over by people who only care about money. Then did the Hotel Transylvania movies, and they made bank, now he is seen as employable.
@@Microfoot yep. Genndy is the foil to John K.
"Nobody cares about fluid or smooth. You want great acting, you want good jokes, good stories, good characters." That single-handedly is the best message an animator can give. While looking good and smooth is nice, the facts that bring life to the animation are what matters. Genius Mr. Tartakovsky.
Totally. Reminds me of that one early Simpsons episode with the babysitter bandit. Some very choppy and rushed animation, yet still one of the best episodes by far
Velma show should take notes.
Fluid, smooth and stylish matters a lot too. Toei with One Piece last episodes for ex (zoro and sanji vs kaido's commanders)... movie level animation vs what they regularly do, which is mediocre animation at best and it gets boring
@@dice8372 People care more that whatever they watch has a story that they like or entertain regardless of what the animation looks like, because I've seen many animes that may have beautiful animation but their stories are boring and predictable.
@@dice8372 That's true but the story, characters, and writing is what ultimately what holds everything together! There are plenty of animated movies and shows that have PHENOMENAL animation quality that looks gorgeous but it falls apart and not really watchable because the story isn't not compelling enough. Comic books/manga are the same as well as there are manga and comics with fantastic artwork but with a underwhelming narrative and writing, it has brought down the whole experience as the visuals are not enough. Live action movies and shows are the same way as well as. Visuals are important to bring everything to life, but it's not what carries people along to know what's what.
Dude barely touches the paper with the pencil and the sketches already look alive and show emotions. This man is a legend.
Yes indeed.
Genndy’s portrayal of General Grevious is probably one of the highlights of the Clone Wars series.
The true Grevious
@@chaoswraiththe only grievous
Not even Obi Wan at his peak and in his prime could defeat 2003 General Griveous.
Grievous 2004 did more in 6 episodes and almost 7 minutes than Grievous 2008 did in dozens of episodes and almost an hour.
Genndy did the original concept that was scrapped not the final version
as someone who works in the industry I cannot tell you how badly this needed to be out there. there are so many misconceptions about how productions are usually made especially for television/streaming and hearing "nobody cares about fluid or smooth" was such a refreshing take that even hardcore veterans seem to keep forgetting. and my man here just laid it out plain and simple. much thanks, Tartakovsky
I was told something similar by a professional artist who does comics. “Your art can honestly be mid, but what really matters is the characters, the plot, the story, etc.” don’t get me wrong, I’m sure having a basic understanding of how to draw Something nice is good, but that advice has really helped me not worry so much if my poses are a little Stiff or my background can be more detailed.
For real. Him just up and saying that gives plenty of due credence to independent storytellers online and the would-be amazing content that many creative minds either put aside or drop just because it isn't feasible to make "high quality animations" with not enough time or manpower, not enough funds, etc 🥹
@@michaellavallie3896 The biggest example would be the original One Punch Man webcomic.
@@SkitsyCat I'm more interested in knowing how budgets are distributed among animation works like if an animation costs, let's say, roughly over a $100,000 or something along that line, where does the money go towards? Is just for paying the people/animators involved or does it include purchasing equipment, photoshop, expensive editing software, etc. I'm eager to know since some animation needs too be produced in a timely manner in order to fit a schedule/release window, I wonder if that factors into budgeting costs?
@@michaellavallie3896 the one punch man webcomic is a great example
Gendy was behind half the shows that made the Cartoon Network golden age. This man is a legend.
Genndy and Brendon Small picked the office space for williams street iirc
Genndy Tartakovsky, at this point, is one of the most prolific and influential animators and writers working today. Just check out the number of shows he's done. It's absolutely a terrific career he has had.
As an animator myself, it really cracked me up when he just gave up trying to explain “rigging” 😂 Very relatable!
SAME 😂 I try to tell my friends about the process of rigging and I realize they don’t understand the nuance of things like weight-painting and polygons.
I always tell people that "Rigging hurts my soul." and I def saw that on his face.
its not that hard. rigging is just at a basic level putting the tendons onto the bones. need the flesh to move a certain way when the bones move, then you need the tendons to be placed right.
My thoughts were that perhaps you’re adding articulation points but I might be waaaaay off
@@GeezehVSo basically you’re making a person. Or a living thing but it’s animated.
I’m glad that Genndy is still recognized. His contributions cannot be overlooked or understated.
This interview needs to be at least 3 times longer... I didn't realise he was such an eloquent and approachable person
The visuals on Samurai Jack have always been incredible, not to mention the depth of the story itself. Even as a kid, it just had a different feel to it than the other animated shows I binge watched. Never knew this was the guy behind it all, thank you mister Tartakovsky for making countless of childhoods better entertained.
Jack and the three blind archers is peak animation
So amazing that they got Genndy for this spotlight, he’s one of the living masters of tv animation. Also, I wanted to give a shout-out to Sym-Bionic Titan, one of his shorter-lived shows that is still absolutely a blast, highly recommend seeking it out.
I was hoping Sym-Bionic Titan would come up! Such a great show
I miss that show 😕
A show I'll truly never forget. A shame it's so hard to get ahold of, and oftentimes the first episode will be a cut down version.
I cry thinking about how that show got cancelled
The miracle of life as described by an animator: “The baby starts as a pile of mush”
he aint wrong tho
Then eventually makes samurai jack
Everything this guy touches is GOLD. Easily the most influential artist since Disney for my mind. I’ve felt this for 20 some years, especially with Primal. The ability to tell such deep stories without dialogue… Genndy is modern master.
Yes he's a complete master of 'show don't tell'
That is FACT. This man is one of the Greatest living Legends still active in this day and age: Along with Hayao Miyazaki and Craig McCracken.
It really says something about Genndy Tartakovsky's passion for this art form when even a lot of his rough drawings are quite lovely to look at.
We need more people like Genndy in the industry
The problem is, there are a lot of people like him waiting to happen. Companies just don't let it happen as often as it should.
And less people like you making him look bad :)
@@justaguyonyoutube4592 what tf did he say that made Genndy look bad?
@@wwg2005 Oh and because OP is also a Twitter artist too. Double ew. 🤢
@@justaguyonyoutube4592 ooooooooooh I understand now.
I just introduced my nephew to dexters lab recently. This man single handedly made my childhood infinitely more fun. One of the main reasons I got interested in science and engineering was Dexter’s lab. Especially the episode where dexter fabricates his own major glory figure. That is by far my favourite episode.
It's the beard inside that counts!
🤘
That’s all you can saay! That’s all you can say!
@@jburt779 omelette du fromage!
You are stupid! You are stupid! And don’t forget! You are stupid!
The three archers is such a great choice for his favourite samurai jack episode. Everything really was firing on all cylinders in that episode.
Genndy the 🐐
No 🧢
SWoozie!! Good to see ya, man!
Genndy sure seems humble. We wish him all the best no matter what.
He should try making an animated kids show
@@iiovemiku he would be fantastic at it
Part of me wonders: People with extreme talent or wealth seem to tend to veer towards two extremes. Extremely haughty and nearly impossible to stand (Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, Mark Zuckerburg) or extremely humble and down to earth (Keanu Reeves). In a world of assholes, it really is all the more incredible to just be a nice person. May not make you rich, but you can't really put a price on kindness.
As a former TD/Setup Artist, it warmed my heart to see him say rigging hurt his brain and facepalmed, lol.
My own opinion, mind you, but I'd classify physical props as armatures - the harness for the articulated stickmen references animators keep around, or to pose action figures - or whatever is utilized for stop-motion. All the skeletons, skins, and control systems used in virtual 3D animation, I'd call that rigging. Just my own thoughts.
@@stormtempterf8058 I got a significant laugh out of that section as well. To hear someone who's been in animation for so long and seen a fair amount of success in it say that rigging is pain was just hilarious. Ironically enough I got into Animation through character rigging and love both but there have been days where rigging has me contemplating my existence.
I started my education as a generalist, learning a bit about everything, but I gravitated to rigging because it was less...artsy? There IS an art to it, but it was less about creative output and more about solving a puzzle for me. How to setup this model for the animators in the best way for movement, physics, the animator's control convenience, etc. My weakness was that my coding wasn't good enough to fill in the gaps that 3D creation tools couldn't do out of the box. I'm in operations at a company now and pretty happy, more puzzles to solve XD
Tartakovsky and Hayao Miyazaki are the most influential animation directors of the past 30 years.
Primal hit me in the feels so many times, without saying a single word. Shows how much talent he has!
Seeing him draw Dexter and Dee Dee on his sketchbook during his character design change segment warmed my heart full of nostalgia. Rock on Genndy, keep being the king of modern American animation. Lol
I wanted to see him drawing Astro Boy & Uran in his style, because he's an Astro Boy fan.
think my favorite Samurai Jack episode has got to be Jack vs. The Ninja. that whole black/white fight sequence was just so visually amazing and intense, i still love it to this day
That and 4 seasons of death. The whole elaborate sequence of creating a magical sword that gets destroyed by Jack's single blow, without a single word being uttered, I mean you just never see stuff like that
Oh snap this also my favorite episode! also the concept of a ninja who's hiding in light is terrifying if you think about it. Imagine get stabbed by something in the middle of the day and you don't now who stabbed you lol
it is my favourite as well, the building tension that was following the sunset, and how the shadows kept getting longer throughout the fight was amazing. Gendy really does a great job in conveying a lot of story and emotion without using words
The greatest sequence, even down to the music. Perfect tension and action
Man these comments make me want to rewatch, thrat was such a good one
As an animator i love how he explain things effectively and shows a lot of his interesting experience and make people easily understand it. Somehow its hard for most people to understand this job where it basically just draw a story etc. What a legend
I remember seeing this guys name on every cartoon and was genuinely a fan as a kid. Definitely cool to see the man behind the name.
He is definitely one of the GOATs. So many great shows and classics. It’s also great that he is one of the few animators that still creates action shows. This man is simply a legend. Even though I’m not an animator, I do cite him as an inspiration for when I write my own stories. Samurai Jack and Clone Wars in particular are huge inspirations.
Why do you cite him in your stories? Genuinely curious about the connection, not trying to start an argument or anything.
Genndy is, in my opinion, the definite choice to helm a Metroid adaptation (especially a series rather than a movie). He's got a great understanding of and talent for slow, contemplative, atmospheric stuff up as well as high-octane action in a way that matches what Metroid is all about.
I'd love to see Samus in the hands of such expressive animators too, like she's got so much room for playing with proportions
I don't think Nintendo would ever let anyone animate a 2d Metroid movie. Hopefully I'm wrong.
@Jello Jiggler well Mario has had TV shows and now 2 movies
@@gaycryptidhours 3d animated movies are much more profitable nowadays though, which is really what Nintendo cares about.
Well at least Genndy's out here showing why 2D animation is worth the price tag
Why did I start tearing up at the end? Felt like talking with him face to face, over a beer, in a dive bar. Thank you Genndy for the wonderful childhood memories. Thank you for creating incredible, vast, funny, captivating, entertaining and also teaching universes. Thank you or being such an awesome human being.
I still remember watching shorts in Cartoon Network back in the 90s where they gave you short interviews You are one of the GOATs Gendy
The blind archers was a truly good episode.
also Jump Good
Soon as I read “Jump good” I was like “Nahh, the archers one was better than that…” Feels good to have my opinion be vindicated by the man himself.
@@sleepingbee8997 i have both on my lsit of favourite episodes, but to me the light vs shadow fight at the start of season 4 is the best of them all.
Genndy getting the love and admiration he deserves!
George didn't want anyone to mess it up??? He did a great job of messing it up himself.
Dexter's Lab, Samurai Jack, Clone Wars, Sym-Bionic Titan, Primal and now Unicorn: Warriors Eternals. The man still got it.
I rewatched samurai jack recently and yeah the blind archer episode was fantastic, hadn’t seen it since I was a kid and it blew my mind
so much suspense, I can feel it in my veins.
This man created my two favorite cartoons of all time this episode is amazing
Which are those ?
Mine too- Primal Season 1, and Primal Season 2!
Mine is Samurai Jack & symbiotic tian!
@@happyhattergamer8078 Mine too! Too bad we didn't get more seasons of Symbionic Titan 😢
@@happyhattergamer8078 Same
I'm always surprised by how young Genndy is/looks. I remember watching Dexters Lab and Samurai Jack 15+ years ago. I always expect Genndy to be/look older
14:45 He draws three lines and creates a whole M O O D. That's talent.
A legend in animation. I watched Samurai Jack all the time when I was younger, and then seeing it return in 2017 was great
Dexter’s Laboratory is a classic. I watched it on Cartoon Network all the time when I was younger
Same. Even though it was after class in college for me. Can't see the name Dee Dee without hearing Dexter say it.
Amazing Cartoon Deedee Is Funny
Honestly it holds up pretty well! It's not perfect, mostly just in terms of some of the cultural attitudes, but overall still is good. My younger kid enjoys it about as much as I did
@@GavinBisesi what attitudes??
@@PanekPL mostly it's just the kind of casual misogyny that was a lot less questioned in the 90s but it's really not that bad. It's nothing overt, and it doesn't stand out at all compared to other stuff of the same time
I love how he speaks volumes without dialogue in his shows. As an artist it inspires me.
‘Blind Archers’ is incredible. It’s stayed with me for twenty years. I’m so glad to hear it’s his favourite Samurai Jack episode!
"give yourself the freedom to get comfortable with it. The character will become who they organically wanna be" as an animator who finds that I struggle to stay on-model, these words hold a lot of weight
Primal might be the best animated production of the last decade. Love Tartovsky
Deeply visceral storytelling and worldbuilding.
Gendy is really a genius wasn't he involved in power puff girls too?
@@nickrodriguez3850 yeah
( Genndy Tartakovsky ) - Thanks for Dexter's lab it was a pleasure working with you and the team back when bro. What is Craig and Lauren doing these days? Oh so did Mandork and DeeDee finally get married after they grew up. Or was Dexter the one saying to the preacher "this union should never be" just because LOL! Anyways some of the best memories.
One of the all time greats! "PRIMAL" was such a delightful surprise, and I can't wait to see how "Unicorn Warriors Eternal" pans out. That being said--MORE "SYM-BIONIC TITAN"!!!
There is no limit to the respect I have for this man. I learned visual storytelling through watching his cartoons, it's really a language of its own
I'm so glad he loved the Blind Archers episode, I can see how much love went into it! It had such an impact on the kinds of films I liked and gave me an appreciation for action and story without speech.
Honestly that Blind Archers episode of Samurai Jack is a masterpiece
"Don't obsess over fluidity" Unless you want the moment to feel dramatic in that way. For me, I'd want certain parts of the animation to be fluid for that particular reason. Basically use it in a way that'll make you go "dude, it's about to get real REAL quick!"
Hands down THE BEST animator in the West and a contender for the world title if you include Japan. Thank you for all your wonderful shows, Gennedy. Please never stop creating ❤
It's amazing seeing the guy behind the name I've seen in the opening credits of so many shows, and that he's just as passionate and knowledgeable as you'd expect.
Saw gendy in the title and couldn’t click fast enough. Realized I never actually had a chance to listen to him talk, but he’s created some of greatest works for my childhood. I think his clone wars is still my favorite.
8:17 this is the best advice I have listened since years about drawing OCs, I always am so perfeccionist about drawing the characters exactly as the original concept when it would be better to just do stuff "the wrong way" sometimes so it can transform to what it really wants to be. Thank you master Tartakovsky
Don't forget the first Star Wars: The Clone Wars cartoon and Symbionic Titan!
I appreciate the sound effects he did when showing the storyboards
Responding the Armature /rigging question . Armature are the base joints that drive the character. They move through the controls by the animator, and building this structure with controls and other multiple nodes that at the end drive the armature is called rigging.
Спасибо Геннадий за счастливое детство! Мой младший брат очкарик, а мое имя созвучно с Диди, так что мы представляли себя героями мультика про Декстера.
I wear bright dish gloves as adult now and think of this show 😂
Jack and the Three Blind Archers, man. Still one of the greatest bits of animation and story ever.
Love how serious and dedicated he was explaning his storyboard. Other people would have laugh making those sounds, but he knew how serious and essential they are to understand the narrative and tone of the project. He is a hero. Thank you for the video.
The Blind Archers Episode Was my favorite episode too! There was something about the ratios, the intensity and the whole scene that was melded into my brain I remember it all so vividly. Can’t wait for another samurai Jack game
Scrolling my front page, not even subbed, didn't saw the title or channel, just saw Genndy's beautiful mug and knew this was a must to watch.
Watching this as an artist is such a gift. Its reassuring and seeing someone so great who made such fantastic universes cover questions like such is inspiring, if not enlightening.
His shows are an example of how profitable but timeless animation is as a medium. It’s better than just your childhood, it can grow with you as time passes on
blind archer episode always hit me so hard...... glad Genndy acknowledged this.
I hope he answers more questions down the line. I love listening to his answers.
Samurai Jack and Star Wars the Clone Wars were some of the major reasons I wanted to become an animator!
The whole thing about Dee Dee and Dexter's appearance evolving with the storyboards was so interesting.
Primal is a masterpiece, with very little dialogue he tells one incredible story you can immediatly pick up and the same with Unicorn: Warriors Eternal; in one intro he managed to tell an incredibly complex story only in images. This man is a genious and I hope he keeps working on this great storytelling we so desperately need now.
This was beautiful and I loved the three blind archers episode as well. The other was where Jack was facing off as light against dark. Such control of sound really grounded me. Even at the age I was.
what a legend, there are animators and there is Genndy Tartakovsky
I love Genndy and wanna thank him for making every boring afternoon fun. His cartoons were the ones you’d think about after watching, I would pretend to have an infinite lab full of experiments. I think the stories that stick with you are the most successful. 💛🗿
4:54 always surprised seeing slowbeef mentioned. Not sure what all he's been up to since Retsupurae petered out, but I wish the best for him and his family
This man is an icon. He is one of the first animators name I actually knew. And as a kid I only recognized his name because it was weird. This is my first time hearing him speak. Always expected a Russian accent. Love this guy. Will watch anything he is a part of
Dexter's Laboratory is the reason I (30 yrs later) have a Lab vs a guest-room. WIRED has to do a xx levels of difficulty on animating so that this guy can give us a glimpse of the complexity.
Really sweet to see this guy get the attention he truly deserves. Love him since day one.
I want a full hour version of this video!! The man knows how to talk in an entertaining way. I didn't feel the time passing and The video ended quickly 😢
One of the best Tech Supports I've watched yet. Mr. Tartakovsky is one of my favorite artists in the animated medium and he delivered here just as well as he does in his animations.
I just want to meet this man over lunch/dinner and talk to him candidly about the industry! He seems super fun and smart.
I grew up watching Samurai Jack and always had a fond memory of it. Just last year, I started to watch the original seasons that aired on TV. Even though i'm now in my mid 20's (!!!), the series still holds up to this day. The show at times, explores mature themes that you wouldn't understand at a young age. It's only now that I could appreciate the deeper meaning within certain episodes, that also offer this beautiful simplicity considering the 20 minute runtime. I highly recommend it to those who saw it in younger days, to watch it once more. I think you'll appreciate it in a new way :).
would love to see more animation/art experts on this channel!! theyre such underappreciated and misunderstood disciplines
"If you can imagine it and you can draw it, it exists." That's a wise quote right there.
Omelette du Fromage is still a meme and that says it all. Dexter's Lab was one of my favourite cartoons growing up!
I loved the first two seasons of Dexter's Lab. And Genndy seems like a great guy.
The ease he can draw all those expressive characters is awe inspiring
Unicorn Warriors Eternal is so good! I love this man for creating years of amazing beautifully articulated shows. They all deserve Emmys & Oscars.
as someone who is about to retrain in 3d animation (after 6 years of 3d modelling ) and doing 2d animation on the side as a hobby, i find this really inspiring. Thank you for interviewing Genndy Tartkaovsky, it was legendary to watch and learn.
The "how the fuc" at 14:02 was so authentic
So inspirational! This man has made a lot of childhood memories for people everywhere and ones who want to create their own cartoons in the animation industry. I can’t wait to be like him someday.
Truly a master of his craft - really cool to see someone who brought me so much joy talk about stuff that brings him the same
All rise for royalty, this man is an upper echelon in animation and deserves our attention!
Watching him drawing dexter and deedee brought back so much memories. My whole childhood was in those drawings.
Thank you for being part of my entire childhood! I enjoyed watching and re-watching Dexter's Lab and Samurai Jack all the time back then and was amazed by the SJ combat and animation style, being something new for me at the time.
i could listen to him talk about character design all day, he's so articulate about it. I very much noticed the shift in Dexters shape over time.