Angry Alien Productions faq

Frequently Asked (and occasionally asked) Questions

(updated April 30, 2007)

RSS feed: For angry alien news updates, I've replaced the mailing list with an RSS feed. For info about RSS feeds, go here.

shiman bio questions
cartoon production questions
questions about the bunnies
technical/viewing issues
misc. questions
infrequently-asked questions
questions i made up

shiman bio questions
Q: What inspires you?
A: To get inspired to create content (about bunnies or anything else), I need to feel inspired in my daily life. Because I work from home, which can feel isolated at times, I need to find and use resources to help keep me motivated and inspired. These sources come from multiple places: hanging out with and meeting new people who inspire me; watching media that inspires (a great movie or TV show); a constant stream of books to read; walks through the neighborhood, etc. I also find a great deal of inspiration via the internet. My del.icio.us bookmarks will give you a feel for the kind of stuff that inspires me (I also use this site to track various online bunnies press).

Q: How did you get started drawing cartoons?
A: I've been drawing stuff since 1976 (I'm 37 now). I went to Boston University and got an undergraduate degree in International Political Economy and International Communications. My interests have spanned a variety of realms, and at the time I felt this area of study accurately represented what would constitute a fulfilling career. and a graduate degree in Media Studies. After grad school, I took a sabbatical while working part-time to make my first animated short. I started my sole proprietorship Angry Alien Productions in 1998 in order to earn income through more creative projects (digital design, electronic production, illustration and web graphics, e-greetings). The discovery of Flash software was a breakthrough for my cartoon workflow, as it provided an immediate means of distributing my creative work online to a huge global audience.

Q: Where did Amy's Diary come from?
A: Amy's diary is Amy Forstadt's actual 3rd grade diary! She & I have been best friends since 1977. When she unearthed said dairy, we decided to get some friends together and have them narrate a few select entries, to which I did some interpretive animation. But those events indeed occurred. Amy's cat really did drink toilet water...out of the toilet.

Q: Why Angry Alien?
A: When I first started my little biz, I needed a logo. I had sketched some sample ideas with ridiculous names (such as this one), and the image of a testy alien standing next to a rotary phone tapping his foot just spoke to me. I figured, 'eh, why not' and it just stuck.

Q: Why bunnies?!
A: One day as I sat in front of my computer checking email (what else is new), these bunnies approached my desk and pitched the idea of doing the re-enactments. Feeling mildly threatened, I agreed, and the collaboration began! That's the story they like to tell. What really happened is I sat there sketching all the possible creatures who could re-enact classic movies in 30 seconds, and out of all the candidates (kitties, beavers, mice, elves), the bunnies struck me as being just the critters to do such a thing.

cartoon production questions
Q: How do you create your cartoons?
A: I use the software Flash for the coloring and animation. Prior to that, I generally draw everything by hand on paper using a lightbox. I scan the drawings in using Adobe Photoshop, then convert the bitmap art to vector art using Adobe Streamline. This system works nicely for me; I'm sure all Flash artists have their own preferred way of doing things. If you want to find out more about Flash, there are some great resources such as Flashkit.com and Moock.org. I belong to a Flash usergroup here in Los Angeles which offers lots of support and helpful resources.

Q: In Star wars Bunnies, I noticed the Jason mask in the trash compactor scene.
What gives?
A: I thought it'd be a fun cross-reference. As well as a reminder that Jason is ever-present.

Q: Do you take requests?
A: Absolutely! Before you submit any requests, suggestions, ideas, etc., be sure to read the site terms. Then take a peek at the Request Corner!

questions about the bunnies
Q: Does the 30-Second Bunnies Theatre Troupe have an agent?
A: Yes! His name is Duck.

Q: What's the bunnies' favorite drink?
A: They love a well-made carrot latte.

technical/viewing issues
If you're having problems viewing any cartoons from the Angryalien.com site, check out this page.

misc questions
Q: How frequently do you release new bunny cartoons?
A:The current batch of Starz-commissioned bunnies re-enactments premiere on Starz, Starz on Demand®. Additionally, Starz.com now hosts the re-enactments, so I link to them when they go online.

Q: Some of the movie titles listed as "To-be-bunnified" have changed. What up with that?
A: Movie titles on the to-be-bunnified list may be subject to change for logistical reasons such as scheduling. The bunnies apologize for any disappointments!

Q: Why haven't you responded to my email?
A: I've been receiving so much wonderful correspondence from everyone (for which I am tremendously grateful!), I just haven't had a chance to respond. Please know that I do read every email, and that everyone's requests are duly noted. And thank you all for your kind words, suggestions, and input.

infrequently-asked questions

Q: What's your favorite post-apocalyptic scenario?
A: Robots and mutants live in harmony.

Q: Most impractical Halloween costume?
A: When I was five, I went as a present. I wore a giftwrapped cardboard box. I remember walking into everything, and couldn't move without whacking someone.

Thanks for stopping by!
- Jennifer