This friday marks the 10th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants.
Q: From marine science to a hit animated series, what sparked your imagination to create SpongeBob SquarePants?
A: The spark came from working on an animated show on Nickelodeon about animals called Rocko's Modern Life. When I started thinking about what type of animated show I could do to be unique, I thought of something underwater, something that was different, like an odd animal invertebrate.
That was when I thought of a sponge.
Q: The show appeals to adults and children alike. How do you achieve that multi-level humour, and how do you decide when you've reached the limit of what is appropriate for the younger viewers?
A: We base most of our humour on the characters and the way they act.
Often it's not about how clever they are, it's just how silly they are.
Most kids and adults can identify with that and they don't have to be privy to the latest pop culture references either.
Q: Where did you study marine biology and how did your interest in the ocean lead you to SpongeBob?
A: I studied marine science and art at Humboldt State University. I eventually landed at the Ocean Institute. I was an instructor and often staff artist.
The institute's wide range of educational programmes were geared toward all ages.
It was at the Ocean Institute that I created The Intertidal Zone comic, which later became the inspiration for the SpongeBob SquarePants series.
Q: How would you sum up your vision for this show?
A: A show that stars a nerdy goofball, an innocent, that takes place in a surreal undersea world inspired by surf/tiki kitsch and nautical nonsense.
Q: You were a marine science educator and an animator, but a third element so dominant on this show is comedy. What were you trying to do with the show comedy-wise, and where did you draw your inspirations?
A: We [my crew] were just trying to make a show that makes us laugh and is appropriate for kids too. We focus on comedy that comes from character and try to stay away from topical humour. The shows are not written from scripts and are written by the storyboard artists.
Naturally, this results in an emphasis on visual or physical comedy.
Q: Did the actors bring things to the characters that weren't in the writing?
A: An actor's performance can often make a line that is not intended to be funny, funny.
There is always room for improvisation.
Q: When the show began to explode, what was your reaction?
A: Disbelief. I thought we would be cancelled after the first season. - Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants screens on Nickelodeon everyday.
