creator profile: World Doctors’ Bart Batchelor and Chris Neilson

Bite on Mondo’s got another Q&A to share, this time with World Doctors creators Bart Batchelor and Chris Nielsen. Here ya go!

(1) How did you learn about Bite on Mondo?

We created a webseries called Archeologists, which was the spiritual predecessor to our series World Doctors. Josh Bowen saw that and hunted us down. Literally, Bart was avoiding his calls at work because he thought Josh was a bill collector. Finally we connected and learned all about the Bite on Mondo program and how we could participate.

 

(2) What was the pitch process like?

Pitching is always a lot of fun, and each one is a little different. Originally, we sent off many ideas at a time – paragraph long ‘mini-pitches,’ but now we nail it down to one or two that we’re passionate about.  Our pitches with BoM have always been over the internet or phone, very casual.

 

(3) What was the production process like? Who did you work with and how was the team constructed?

Production varies depending on the project and we’d assume on the project creator’s resources. For instance, World Doctors is all done in house while Tuck and Ranger was shipped out. Josh and BoM helped us find an animation house who could work with our style.

 

(4) How did you get involved in the cartoon industry? What inspired you to create your own show?

Fresh out of University we launched a show with The Comedy Network called ‘The Woodsmen’. It was a blast to work on and set the tone for our future work together on many other projects.

 

(5) What has been the most rewarding part of creating a show?

Definitely fan interaction. It’s amazing to know that there are people out there who like your work and want to see more of it. A group of guys did an excellent cover of one of our World Doctors songs – that was so cool to see. And perhaps a little selfishly, once you have a show you begin to grow attached to your characters and you get to learn so much about your own process along the way.

 

(6) What has been the biggest challenge that’s come from creating a show?

Sometimes, no matter how much you love a project, other people aren’t interested. And that’s alright. There’s a time honored mantra: kill your darlings. Or stick them on the shelf until you get bored of them – whatever. A specific challenge – originally the show was titled “Borders without Doctors”. Legal got cold feet about that around two weeks before we launched the first episode – and one of us was on vacation!

 

(7) What advice do you have for new creators that are developing and or producing their first show?

Go in with a solid idea but be ready and willing to collaborate – nobody creates something perfect right out of the box. Except for us, maybe. But, through it all, try to keep a core vision intact because that’s the heart of your show.

 

(8) What have you learned as a creator having gone through the process of creating for Bite on Mondo?

Countless project management skills; we learned new and hilarious ways to work with talent. We’ve learned how to make work that’s fun, in our style, but also more accessible to new viewers.

 

(9) What does the audience have to look forward to with the series going forward?

James and James are just getting started. We’re experimenting with making the shows a little longer, and even a continuing story or two. But don’t worry, they’re still just as stupid and doctor-y as ever.

 

(10)  Do you have any other thoughts and or comments that you’d like to share?

Creating and building World Doctors, and our other Mondo projects, has been a huge next step in our creative careers. What Bite has created is a hugely important showcase and proving ground for creators and animators from all walks of life. This is an amazing opportunity for anyone who’s interested in trying their hand at creating a show from scratch with support from industry veterans.