Going to way out to the BOONDOCKS with Carl Jones

I got a chance a while ago to chat it up with Carl Jones. This is the KEY ANIMATOR/ Producer,... MR. #1 PEN for Aaron McGruders BOONDOCKS (on ADULT SWIMS (CARTOON NETWORKS))! For those that may of been living under a rock and don't know about the "Boondocks" The cartoon is the first program televised by Cartoon Network to win the Peabody Award as being nominated for a NAACP Image Award. Mr. Jones has worked on various animated projects from "The Playpen" for Roc-A-Fella Films to a sketch comedy with Aaron McGruder called "Super Rumble Mix Show" Carl has also released a signature line of designer toys called the "Hoodiez". Check out the convo below....

How is it that you grew up in Germany was your dad in the military?

Well I didn't actually grow up in Germany. My dad was stationed there so my mom was pregnant while she and my sisters traveled with him so I ended up being born in there .But I left Germany when I was like 2. 

At what age did you leave and what do you remember about it?

pacifiers,big plastic keys,breast milk,ummmm,I think that's about it. 

 

 

Have you ever been back?

nope 

 

 

How often do you travel outside of the United States?

Unfortunately I have forfeited my opportunity to see the world because of my fear of flying. I was once asked by Sony to travel to Korea to oversee some production in Korea and that meeting lasted every bit of 5 minutes. 

 

 

Which Voltron lion would you want to ride in?

Ok now I'm about to reveal the geek in me by know this information but I would have to say I'd have to be the Black Lion pilot (no pun intended),the one that makes up the head and calls the shots. Although I never understood why he was called the Black Lion pilot but he wore red and the Blue Lion Pilot wore black,go figure. 

 

 

What was the first candy that you fell in love with as a kid?

Pop rocks, well it was my favorite until the rumor went around saying that if you drink Coke and eat the candy at the same time it would kill you.The funny thing is that made more kids eat the candy. I remember my friends guzzling 3 liters of coke and packs of pop rocks to see if it would really happen. 

 

 

How did you hook up with McGruder?

Man I actually ran into him on the street on Melrose in LA. while I was there on a visit. 

 

 

From what I gather you are pretty much self taught,.. how did you learn to animate?

Well I was an Internet junky and a read-a-holic so I read lots of books and gobbled up as much info as I could get online. I also took full advantage of the Internet by reaching out to the pros for guidance and help. Plus I had a few really dope mentors that taught me a lot. 

 

 

What was your favorite toy you received for Xmas and do you still have it?

My all time favorite toy was definitely my giant Godzilla that had the lever in the back of his head that would make him > stick out his fiery tongue don't have it any more but I wish I did. 

 

 

Do you have any other passions outside of art?

Yes my passion outside of art is without a question spending time with my wife and kids. Sometimes with the constant grind of the television industry .Its easy for me to get consumed in my work and therefore I can sometimes neglect the vital source of my inspiration. I mean they propel me to do the work that I do. So when I get a chance to come up for air I intensely cherish the time I get to spend with them,its a passion like no other. 

 

 

What prompted you to go 3 dimensional with your artwork?

You know its funny, I think when most artist draw they see their work in 3D anyway. Even though its a flat piece of paper you use perspective, and volume to manipulate the viewers eye so that it gives the illusion of 3D. Like sometimes my son look at a drawing of a character I did and he would say daddy what's on the other side of his face as if he exist in real time and space and you can turn him around. 

 

 

How much hand illustration do you do vs computer for the cartoons that you have worked on?

I do a little of both. When I was drawing the Boondocks strip I used a tablet pc but now I like to use good old fashion paper....recyclable when I can. 

 

 

What will you be doing 15 years from now?

Man I can barely tell you what I will be doing tomorrow,slow down! 

 

 

What are some of your favorite fine artist?

I am a HUGE,HUGE,HUGE fan of Mr.Jago! He is an amazing talent! I wish I could do what he does honestly. 

 

 

What are some common misconceptions of being an animator?

That they make lots of money. 

 

 

How would you describe your personal dress code?

Pretty simple man. Rocawear jeans, White Tee, Tims and a baseball cap. 

 

 

If you had a chance to redesign and American icon what would it be?

The statue of liberty, I would put her in some high heel boots, a short mini skirt standing next pimp. I think that's a better representation of liberty in this country. 

 

 

What did you do on the movie ATL?

I did some conceptual art that later inspired the drawings you saw T.I. doing in the film. 

 

 

What are some of the unseen obstacles that you had to traverse with your toy collection HOODIEZ?

There really hasn't been any obstacles have been going pretty smooth. I am actually developing a sorta stop motion animated show with them. 

 

 

Drop a jewel for the people that may ever want to get into animation?

Don't get into animation for the money. If you have a love for it that's the only thing that's going to give you a fruitful career. Also it takes 50% talent and 50% hustle, so find the thing you do best and master it. Build up your portfolio and then hit the block! 





tell a friend to tell a friend so we can BUILD!!!


Just our own personal jewel to school fools,.... The word BOONDOCKS (as defined by Webster's) means a remote rural area. The words origins was introduced to English by American G.I.'s in the Philippines during the early years of the 20th century. It derives from the Tagalog (the major language of the Republic of the Philippines) word "bundok", meaning "mountain". The word was further popularized in the hip hop community by EPMD who claimed to be "Straight out the BOONDOCKS!!!


.... and Carl does the voice of the character "Thugnificent" (the character with the two big afro puffs) from season 2 of the Boondocks.