An interview with Matthew Senreich, the guy who gave the world Adult Swim’s popular stop-motion television series “Robot Chicken”.
For those of you who are unfamiliar, “Robot Chicken” is a comedy program for people who played with toys as a kid and then grew up. The Adult Swim series stars action figures in quick, “Saturday Night Live” type skits aimed at an adult audience with hilarious and shocking gags.
The Sentinel
Firstly, could you give your title and maybe a little bio that tells me how you got to be an employee at Adult Swim?
Matthew Senreich
I’m the co-creator of “Robot Chicken” and one of the owners of Stoopid Monkey and Stoopid Buddy Stoodios. As for how I got to be an employee at Adult Swim, they liked the idea that we wanted to make a sketch comedy show about toys and now I play with toys as my job.
The Sentinel
What does animation as an art form allow you to do? What are some of the freedoms of expression or storytelling animation allows?
Matthew Senreich
Animation gives you the freedom to think beyond what’s possible in reality. More drastic movements. You can play with visual style and movement of characters.
The Sentinel
Are there any animators or cartoonists who inspired you early on?
Matthew Senreich
I grew up reading comic books, so I found most of my influences were from there. For me though, it’s always storytellers that grab me. Right now, I’m fascinated by Brad Bird and especially his commentaries on his movies.
The Sentinel
How has animation changed since you first started working at Adult Swim?
Matthew Senreich
Stop motion has seemed to (have) been revived, which is great. It’s flattering and exciting.
The Sentinel
What is the best part about your job?
Matthew Senreich
I get to play with toys!
The Sentinel
Are there any other shows that you think do a great job of animated storytelling?
Matthew Senreich
Hopefully all. Whoever you work with, you establish a working process that feels right. I’m a producer/writer who likes animation. Animators become your actors for the words you put on the page.
The Sentinel
Are there any shows, movies, artists, come- dians who influenced you as a child?
Matthew Senreich
Gosh, everything geek. Star Wars continues to influence me to this day. An amazing tale of good vs. evil. I am a child of pop culture. I grew up on Saturday morning cartoons. I grew up on, 80s comedies. I think that’s what has inspired me to be where I am.
The Sentinel
Is there anything you’d like to let me know about your job at Adult Swim that I wasn’t able to cover in these questions?
Matthew Senreich
Adult Swim is a place where you get to succeed or fail with their support and it’s an amazing collaborative process working with those guys! Love them!
The Sentinel
Plug the show so the readers know when to watch.
Matthew Senreich
“Robot Chicken” (airs) Sunday nights! Adult Swim. Midnight. Watch action figures do things that you may not think they should do.
