Zoovie
A Warm
and Fuzzy Tale
Medium: Animation
project overview
Project Overview
Title: Zoovie: A Warm and Fuzzy Tale
Roles: Director, Writer, Casting Director, Music Director, Character Developer, Performer, Music Composer, and Executive Producer
Key Cast: Asher Roth as Cosmo the filmmaking penguin, Carri Champion as Pennie the zookeeper, and myself as Michael the other zookeeper, with cameos from my wife and daughter.
Duration: 16 months complete
Location: Home studio and Powerhouse Studios in Austin, Texas
Roles and Responsibilities
Creator: Conceived and developed the original concept for the film.
Director: Led the creative vision and direction of the film.
Executive Producer: Oversaw the entire production, ensuring the project stayed on track and met quality standards.
Producer: Managed the production process, coordinating various aspects of the film.
Writer: Developed the script and storyline for the film.
Casting Director: Selected and cast the voice actors for the film.
Music Director: Directed the music for the soundtrack, ensuring it complemented the film's narrative.
Character Developer: Created and developed the characters, bringing them to life through animation.
Performer: Performed music on the soundtrack.
Music Composer: Wrote original music for the soundtrack.
Voice Actor: Voiced the character Michael, the zookeeper.
director Notes
Zoovie: A Warm and Fuzzy Tale is a film that holds a special place in my heart, as it is the first animated film I ever created. This project was a labor of love, and I took on multiple roles including director, writer, casting director, music director, character developer, performer, and music composer.
The film stars Asher Roth as Cosmo, the filmmaking penguin, Carri Champion as Pennie, the zookeeper, and myself as Michael, the other zookeeper, with cameos from my wife Siggi Bennett and daughter Jett.
The journey of creating Zoovie was both challenging and rewarding. I had no idea how to make a movie, so I turned to "Creativity, Inc." by Pixar founder Ed Catmull for guidance on management and production. The insights from this book were invaluable in helping me navigate the complexities of filmmaking.
The story of Zoovie is deeply personal and autobiographical. Cosmo, the penguin, represents me, while the zoo symbolizes the NFL, and the tiny tuxedos represent the team I was playing for at the time.
Like Cosmo, I was unsure if the NFL was the right place for me and was exploring other interests, with making movies and cartoons being my biggest passion. Cosmo's journey of falling in love with filmmaking and attempting to create a movie with his friends mirrors my own experience.
The process of making Zoovie was a crash course in the animation business. The learning curve and financial liability were significant challenges, and management was the toughest aspect.
Directing voice actors was also more challenging than I anticipated, but I managed to guide them effectively. The cast, including Asher Roth and Carri Champion, volunteered their time and talent, and I flew them out to direct them in my home studio and at Powerhouse Studios in Austin, Texas.
This level of personal involvement and collaboration is rare in today's industry.
The film is wholesome and heartwarming, capturing the essence of pursuing one's passion despite uncertainties. The experience and insights gained from making Zoovie independently have profoundly influenced my approach to future projects.
Zoovie is a result of immense dedication and passion. It is very meta, reflecting my own experiences and journey. I am deeply thankful to everyone who participated and contributed to the project.
I had no idea how to make a movie, so I used "Creativity, Inc." by Pixar founder Ed Catmull as my guide for management and production insights.
Final Cut
Creating Zoovie: A Warm and Fuzzy Tale taught me just how much of a collaborative effort making a movie truly is. Just watch the credits at the end of any film, and you'll see the countless talented individuals who pour their imagination into the project.
During the making of this film, I made friends and lost friends, but each person contributed to the magic of the final product.
This film solidified my love for the art of making movies for the big screen.
There were many things I did wrong and many things I did right. Balancing my NFL career with making this film left room for error, as I had a tight schedule with practice, games, health, and overseeing the project. Despite these challenges, we figured out a good flow and made it work.
Zoovie premiered at Soldier Field on Chicago Bears Family Day, at Soho House in Los Angeles, and at Gillette Stadium. These premieres were incredible experiences, and I am thankful and grateful for the hundreds of people who contributed to the making of this project. Their dedication and creativity were invaluable, and this film would not have been possible without them.
Adventure Awaits…
with love + imagination
-MR. TOMONOSHi!