Interview with Michael Moodoo
Michael, what's your story?
Well, I'm a professional animator and entrepreneur. I have three sons and I live in Pasadena, California USA. I am an artist and I've always loved to draw and create artwork for people.
What you were like when you were a kid?
When I was in first grade, I used to draw and write my own "Snoopy" cartoons and sell them door to door in my neighborhood. I must have been pretty successful, since I don't have any of those left. But my Mom still has some of my school pictures from that time. On my school picture it says, "25 cents". Lol :) I guess it's safe to say I've always been an entrepreneur!
What are some of your businesses besides LovBun & Friends?
Sure, I created an award-winning puppet-show called "Moodoo Puppets" which performs live events at parties in Los Angeles. Kids and parents love it! I also make award-winning educational DVDs, including "Puppet Power", which teaches kids how to make puppets using reused items like juice boxes, egg cartons and paper cups, and "Drawing Power!" which teaches kids how to draw dinosaurs, animals, pirates and more.
Where did the LovBun characters come from?
One day, when I was working in Park City, Utah at the Sundance film festival, these amazing characters just popped into his head. I quickly drew them in my sketchbook before they could get away. My first thought was, "Wow, that's the coolest character I've ever seen!"
Who encouraged you to make LovBun & Friends into a toy line?
One of the first people to say "LovBun needs to be a toy line" was a friend who is a famous artist named William Stout. I had grown up cherishing his artwork, including his famous Dinosaur book which helped inspire the movie "Jurassic Park". He came to my one-man show in Pasadena and saw my comic book art. He took one look and said, "You have to make a toy line of these characters."
Other friends who are big designers in the toy industry also said that, so I got the message. I hopped on a plane to China and met the toy factory manager, and started making toys!
What are you plans for LovBun in the future?
Right now we have 6 LovBun & Friends characters, with plans to make many, many more. I want the world of LovBun & Friends to be a colorful fun place that is safe for kids. I want parents to feel good about LovBun & Friends, knowing that we always encourage positive conflict resolution and promote loving behavior.
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