Metalocalypse

[SwimMod_Luuv]

Post your questions and comments for Jon Schnepp here!

Jon Schnepp is a producer, director, editor, writer, and actor best known to Adult Swim fans for his editorial work on Space Ghost Coast To Coast, played the Wisdom Cube and Gary the Dairy Fairy on Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and directs most of the episodes of Metalocalypse, and has directed many episodes of the Venture Brothers, and worked on animation for Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1 and Space Ghost.

He has also directed eps of Upright Citizens Brigade among many other things.

from wikipedia:

Jon Schnepp is an American producer, director, actor, editor, writer and cinematographer. His company, Schneppzone, has worked on many shorts and television shows.

Schnepp was Animation Director for Nickelodeons What's Inside Heidi's Head?, and edited many episodes of "Space Ghost: Coast to Coast" seen on Cartoon Network.

He co-directed the pilot for "Upright Citizens Brigade" for Comedy Central, and directed segments and the Title Sequence for the series run.

Jon Schnepp released The Removers (2003) and "Brainwarp", two pilots he produced and directed, on DVD by Filmthreat.

He then went to Brazil, working with Debbie Allen, editing and creating the title sequences for two sitcoms airing in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Schnepp co-created, co-wrote, and directed Nerd Hunter 3004 for the Channel 101 pilot.

Schnepp also guest stars on three episodes of the Aqua Teen Hunger Force. In two episodes he voices the Wisdom Cube and in the other he plays The Creature from Plaque Lagoon.

His most current work is on Metalocalypse, a cartoon on Cartoon Network about Dethklok, the world's most popular death metal band. He designed and created the look of the five band members, directs the bulk of each season, and works with the show's co-creators/writers Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha.

Schnepp directed the 2009 Dethklok Tour with Mastodon, providing a heavy metal movie of the fully animated music videos played to every song of this sold-out tour.

Jon has co-produced and directed on the three seasons of "Metalocalypse", and is currently working on the fourth season.

Schnepp co=directed Season 4.1 of The Venture Bros..

Schnepp has done variant cover arts and helped write all four Dethklok Comic books.

Schnepp was featured in The Damned Things music video for "We've Got A Situation Here".

In 2011 Schnepp directed music videos for the bands I Set My Friends On Fire and Forbidden 

[holkimcardie1]

Hi, Jon!  I'm one of the two HELPeRs for Metalocalypse!  But I do have a couple of questions for you.

First, we have heard from Brendon that the show is going back to the 15-minute episodes of the first & second seasons.

Second, Adult Swim had a premiere schedule bump a couple of weeks back that said the 4th season premiere for Metalocalypse would be April 15, 2012.  Long time to wait, but it also means you guys get to do it right.

But there was also a note that there would be 12 episodes.

This is much less than the season length for seasons 1 & 2, the original 15-minutes episodes.  Is this just 12 episodes then and then 8 more later? 

Or could it be 12 episodes...... and then a ...dare I say it, a movie later?  Because 8 15-minute would make a good movie length.

[holkimcardie1]

Now, my second question.  Actually, this is more settling something with a friend & fellow Metalocalypse fan.

She swears that Brian May has played on the show.  Matter of fact, the intro to "Go Into The Water".

As a fan of Metalocalypse, I know that while there have been a great number of musicians voicing characters on the show, the only one who actually played her instrument on the show was Emilie Autumn for "Dethharmonic".  She played the violins.

Brendon played all the guitars first season and used a drum machine until Gene Hoglan was hired for the first CD.  As of the second season, Gene played the drums.  The main theme was ever re-done with him playing.  (Re-done completely or just the drum parts I don't know, but I noticed it right away.)

I think that the reason it sounds like Brian May played on the show is that Brendon was very influenced by him and just can  play like him. 

Who's right?  No matter what the answer, I will get it to her.

[SwimMod_Luuv]

I have some questions:

Metalocalypse has a lot of fantastically horrific background elements that, while graphic, play almost subliminally as horror elements under the broader comedy.  Is the horror genre as inspiring to you as cartoons when approaching Metalocalypse?

Are you a horror fan, and do you have any horror related dream projects you'd like to do?

I think this stuff is on my mind because I just read that you'd signed to direct a segment for "ABCs of Horror", is that at all intimidating to step into that realm so fully alongside so many other genre luminaries? 

[Dark_Lord_Khrima]

Metalocalypse has had a lot of really cool musical guests in past seasons. What musicians that haven't appeared on the show would you like to have on at some point in the future? Also, what musical guests can we expect next season (if you're allowed to tell us)?

How did you go about deciding which clips to ultimately use in Space Ghost? It seems like the interviews would give a ton of material to work with and a lot of the humor came from how that material was edited together, so I'm just wondering what you looked for when deciding which clips should be cut and how stuff should be strung together.

[GodspreadThin]

I love the Wisdom Cube. Would you like to own a model of all the characters you've played? Because a Wisdom Cube one should be easy enough.

[poisonbella]

Hi Jon thanks for joining us! I recognize your name from seeing it on Melalocalypse. I have a few questions about odd stories, maybe you can answer them....well, first of all i love all those shows!! i really enjoy them. Wow, that is great that you get to work for them. sometimes i think that adult swim airs certain shows as a sort of subtle or subliminal sign....do they? for instance, a week or so ago, we were talking about the symbolisms in the new britney spears video, (hidden symbols etc such as colors and a mind control theme, ruby slippers...etc)

hmm........well i noticed that on adult swim later that night, they aired two shows with the all seeing eye in it...(the one where they were operation on an eye and it was on the tv screen...after that, superjail with the all seeing eye..

what makes you decide to put such symbolisms in the show? is it subliminal? does it affect us in some way by watching?

im really curious and interested in this sort of stuff which is why i just have to ask!

do you have any crazy or funny stories to share too? adult swim related? thank you

[poisonbella]

oops sorry i didnt explain myself there, they also played family guy with the hannah banana episode, like hannah miley is some sort of android....i mean, is that true? not an android... MK'd??? im sorry for these questions, its just something i read about and i have to ask!

oh yes i love all the scenes in metalocalypse! its very well animated!

[viperxmns]

Hello Jon, I'm a huge fan of your work; I have a question about Space Ghost Coast to Coast:

An essential part of any show is editing, but I feel like SG in particular exhibits its own kind of magic in how it's edited, especially in Space Ghost's interactions with the guests, and how the guests' interviews are portrayed. Can you tell us a little about working on SGC2C? Was there anything you had to cut that you wished could have stayed in? Thanks!

[NOTdubbed]

Dear Jon,

How many people do you hope to have killed in the show (Metalocalypse) before it ends, in total? I would say 5 mil is a good number to shoot for personally.

Have you ever done the wisdom cube character to annoy your friends and co-workers? If you haven't, I think you should because it would be hilarious.

Can we ever hope to see more Space Ghost Coast to Coast? ....ever?

Do YOU think that Dr. Girlfriend is just a transgendered dude? I mean, does it cross your mind at least once in a while?

[katt_goddess]

First, thanks for taking the time to float in and deal with all of us!

I have to start out by saying that Metalocalypse especially has brought waaaay too much in the way of entertainment to the store where I work. You will never believe how many times the stress and tension of dealing with the consumer hordes has been alievated by my attempting to play DethMetal on a toy ukelele whenever things got to be too much. The cashiers thank you for being part of that.

Of all the hats you seem to wear / have worn [director, design artist, writer, producer, etc.] , which gives you the most enjoyment?

And, a question I'm asking anyone I can remember to, if a drink were made / named for a character you've done, what would that drink be [and maybe a basic recipe if it's something completely novel]?
For the record, doesn't have to be alchoholic either.

[SwimofTruth]

My question for you Mr. Schnepp is... what inspires you to do what you do? In my view there is a CLEAR downgrade in content with programing and content with most networks, Cartoon Network is most notable so... how do you stay inspired to help contribute in the creation of quality material? I think Metalocalypse is just amazing.

[Masta_ShakeZoidberg]

First off, i love your work, and im proud to say it,

first question, Is it hard going back in forth between show or projects? or do you like to stay commited to one at a time?

second question, While working on Metalocalypse do your ear drums bleed from the constant metal music?

thrid question, If this was the 90's, do you think any of your shows would work?

Forth question, Whats was your favorite show from the 90's ?

Thanks MSZ

[lupinfan83]

First of all, let me say Metalocalypse is one of my favorite shows.  Will fans ever know what happend to the band member Toki took over for?  Also, who created Dr. Rockso, the rock n roll clown, that does cocaine? 

[westpark]

Hi Jon, any chance SGC2C to come back? Or is that a done project?

[pirateking42]

Hello!

I was just wondering if you know of any new Dethmerch that will be released along side season 4?

Thank you for everything! <3

[CDRhom]

Hi Jon. I just wanted to say "Thanks" for all the entertainment you and your crew over at Titmouse have given to us.

[CartoonPlanet]

Hey Jon, I've been a HUGE fan of Space Ghost Coast to Coast ever since it was on Cartoon Network in the 90's. I've been in love with Cartoon Planet as well, which should be obvious because of my username

Were there any guests you really wanted to be on SGC2C that never worked out?

Who is your favorite character and what is your favorite episode?

[scrapyard]

dear jon schwepps:

who would win in a fight - tommy blacha or carl

[JonSchnepp]

There are currently 12 Episodes in production right now, what happens next is in the future...

[JonSchnepp]

It's all the maestro of metal known as Brendon Small. He has many influences, and he'll be the first to tell anyone that he is a Brian May and Queen fan. We first connected  on our mutual love of the 80's "Flash Gordon" movie, as well as the David Lynch "Dune".

[JonSchnepp]

I am inspired by most genre media, horror being one of the main ones, alongside science fiction, thrillers, and surreal action comedies.

I have several dream projects, some of which I am currently developing.

I am truly honored to be a part of "The ABC's of Death". To be on a list with all these other film makers from around the globe is fantastic, and I'm going to do my best to meet that massive collected talent pool with my own twisted take.

[JonSchnepp]

I'm not able to tell you or confirm or deny anyone who is on the new season, but I will say they are all awesome!

Space Ghost was truly a great blend of the writers and the editor/director. The mixing up of the recorded interview and re-dialoging done in post, followed by camera placement, pauses, finding those tasty shots of the celebrities blinking, yawning, looking board, and lip smacking was some of my favorite moments. Also adding inane new bits of surrealism was my bag on the show. They should bring it back!

[JonSchnepp]

Please send me thousand and four (3004)  hand made, hand painted Wisdom Cubes , or just one, as well as the Creature from the Plaque Lagoon (the red bodied,  head filled with teeth dude, shopping at furniture store), to the following address:

Attn: Jon Schnepp

Titmouse Inc.

6616 Lexington Ave

Hollywood, CA. 90038

[JonSchnepp]

It is all random, just like all connect the dot conspiracies.

Subliminal edits are done for our own amusement, and if someone sees a frame that we put in (114, the blues devil flash skullface), then thats cool.

We have put in many fun flashframes and quick cuts, its up to you the adience to figure them out, and then connect those dots.