Animator Kirsten Lepore is the writer and director of an upcoming episode of Cartoon Network’s popular show “Adventure Time.” A majority of her career has been spent in her garage, which is actually her workshop, carefully moving tiny, handmade characters in the worlds she’s built for them. The films she made at Maryland Institute College of Art and CalArts, “Sweet Dreams” and “Bottle,” won countless awards and screened at SXSW, Slamdance, the Vimeo Awards, the Annie Awards, among others. She’s made work for big names like Google, MTV, Whole Foods, Nestlé, and Nickelodeon, upholding her own raw but charming style no matter the project. Kirsten talks about her knack for cooking, the challenges of being a one-woman band, poking a bit at her peculiar side, and stepping into a big director role with “Adventure Time.” She’s a self-proclaimed weirdo and that’s the way she’ll stay.
Name: Kirsten Lepore
Current City: Los Angeles
DOB: March 1985
Current Gig: Working on the Adventure Time episode! Which I think will air sometime this year. Also expect some more Google Doodles out on their homepage throughout the year!
What are you listening to? III, by Badbadnotgood
What piece of media changed you? Oh geez, there are so many things....I know it's cliche, but one of the pivotal moments was watching the original Star Wars Trilogy for the first time in 6th grade - pretty late for my age, actually. From the practical effects/creatures, to the music, to the far off worlds they created, it definitely inspired me to make my own crazy worlds.
Who is your career role model? I feel really fortunate that many of my career role models are also friends or contemporaries. People like Julia Pott, Mikey Please, DANIELS, Allison Schulnik, David OReilly, Adi Goodrich, Jenny Slate and Dean Fleicher-Camp are all making a living creating unique and diverse art in their own amazing, unique styles. I aspire to do the same.
What is a tool you can't live without? A sharp knife, big wooden cutting board, and a stove. If I couldn't cook, I think I'd get really depressed. Also, can I throw some good speakers in there with a sub? I need to dance too.
How do you take your coffee/tea? I'm an uncaffeinated person, actually - but when I do, I take an espresso with one sugar
What's your spirit animal? Hmmm, probably an elephant. An elephant never forgets. Although, people tell me I look and act like a koala and apparently they're very horny.
Music Featured in Episode 16 is by Dubb Nubb
Wild Dreamin’ (album)
- These Whole Spaces
- Where Does the Time Go?
- I Dreamt
The Best Game Ever (album)
- Ahm Nam Nam
- Soldier
Sunrise Sleepy Eyed (album)
- Back Roads
- Kindergarten Wedding
New Bones (album)
- Geometric Shapes
- Buttons
Our featured MusicMakers are Hannah, Delia, and Amanda Rainey, or Dubb Nubb. Find out more in our She Does Music episode 16.5!
“It’s not the thing that looks like everything else that someone hired you to do that’s going to get you work. It’s the really unique thing that you made for yourself that showcases something new that’s going to get you hired.”
Related Links:
Making of "Bottle" (in 1 minute)
Clips Featured in This Episode:
Adventure Time Exclusive Clip from Kirsten’s Episode “Bad Jubies”
Credits:
Produced by Elaine Sheldon and Sarah Ginsburg
Sound Design by Billy Wirasnik
Illustration by Christine Cover
Production Assistance by Alijah Case