Dominic Polcino
“Working on a project because you really like it, really helps feed the creative force.”
Winter is coming, but the laughter is already here. Veteran animator and director Dominic Polcino unleashed his wicked sense of humor on the most recognized television series in the world with Game Of Thrones Animated.
The last installments of the 8-episode animated series on Dominic’s YouTube Animation Vault channel, includes a walk-of-shame peasant commentary and a grand song-and-dance finale number – basically everything you won’t see on the HBO original.
If you’re thinking, who is this Dominic Polcino taking on my beloved GOT? Well, he’s been nominated for an Emmy and worked on three of the most popular prime-time animated shows of all time: The Simpsons, King of the Hill and Family Guy. And, he is admittedly a mega-fan of GOT, so his spoof series is a tribute not an insult.
Just in time for the big premiere, Dominic Polcino found some time to answer a few questions:
What can fans expect from your series Game Of Thrones Animated?
Dominic: The Game of Thrones spoofs are shot animated parodies, kind of like the old Mad Magazine TV and movie spoofs. They lovingly rib the shows for their failings, but also nod to why we all love them anyway. They’re best watched if you’re up on the show because there’s a lot of inside gags.
Of all the shows to parody, was there something that pushed you to focus on GOT?
Dominic: Along with many other people, GOT is a show that I like a lot. I only want to parody things I really know from back to front. More fun can be had that way, winking at the audience at the smallest fan detail.
Tell us about your process for creating — do you start with a script or begin animating from only an idea?
Dominic: I usually get a basic idea or concept, then write a script. That way I can get it out to actors who I know and we have something to work with. After the dialogue is recorded it’s all just me sitting in front of my computer with Storyboard Pro. I figured out a few years ago how I can make shorts using just the one program.
What can you share about your casting process for this project?
Dominic: My first shorts I grabbed six or so friends and got them into the record booth we have downstairs where I work. None professional actors, but brimming with unbridled talent. I was actually surprised how many non-actors are just looking for the chance to ham it up. And they did fantastic! Since then I’ve just been recording my own lines with my iPhone in a closet, and getting recordings emailed to me from my favorite actors from that day.
If you had to pick one episode, which is your favorite?
Dominic: I guess I like the bag of faces gag a lot (A Girl is No Fun). Just two sisters, Arya and Sansa sharing their word experiences together.
And, how about your favorite episode of the original HBO show?
Dominic: Hodor’s a classic. But I also like anything season 2 or 3 where the show focused mostly around Tyrion. Also, any scene where Daenerys kicks ass!
How did you get in animation?
Dominic: I gravitated to animation early in life, because I liked art and film. I wound up in Film/TV at UCLA where I made my first shorts.
What was your first big break in the business and what did you learn from that?
Dominic: One of my first breaks was The Simpsons season 2. It was a formidable education, perhaps 80% of what I still use in my bag of tricks I got from there. I learned to always make the most of wherever I find myself.
You’ve worked on some of the most successful animated shows ever, what’s that feel like?
Dominic: I am fortunate to have worked on a lot of popular shows that I also loved to watch. It’s inspiring. Working on a project because you really like it, really helps feed the creative force. Even if it might pay less money. People forget, back when The Simpsons started, it was a gamble. Everyone working on it knew it was special, but no one could have dreamed it would go over 30 seasons. The same with shows like Rick and Morty.
Out of all of them, what do you consider to be the best episode you’ve ever worked on and why?
Dominic: Mortynight Run was the first Rick and Morty episode I directed. It’s a great episode, but I also feel pleased that I was able to get into a new show’s style, so the personal challenge was there. The same could be said for Pretty, Pretty Dresses, my first King of the Hill.
What’s been the hardest part about working in animation? And, the best part?
Dominic: The hardest part is sometimes the politics, or learning how to lead and follow in a collaborative system. The best part is how the more you do it, the better you become. It’s inevitable as long as you keep trying new things.
Would you ever consider creating and directing live-action projects?
Dominic: I’m currently the Supervising Director and Art Director of HarmonQuest, which mixes live action with animation. It’s a blast. I would definitely be up for anything live or animated – as long as it’s funny and tells a worthwhile story.
Since GOT is about to end, do you have another animated parody in the works?
Dominic: I have a couple more that are already up – a spoof on Twin Peaks, and a four- part Doctor Who series. I still haven’t decided what’s next. I think I may start posting completely original content and see where that goes!
Watch Game Of Thrones Animated now at Animation Vault: http://youtube.com/animationvault
