Lackadaisy | Podcast interview with Tracy Butler and Fable Siegel
Skwigly are excited to present a chat between site contributor Mel Cionco and the creative duo Tracy Butler and Fable Siegel, directors of the smash-hit indie animated short film Lackadaisy.
Missouri-based Tracy Butler studied Biology in college before embracing her true path in the visual arts, and went on to work for a small game development studio as an illustrator and concept artist, her roles eventually spanning 3D character artist, animation and art directing. It was her comic Lackadaisy, inspired by the history surrounding the century-old home she’d recently moved into, as well as her appreciation for cats, that garnered her international attention in the mid-to-late naughties. A story of bootlegging jazz cats that would ultimately get itself an Eisner award in 2011, its most recent iteration is a phenomenally successful animated adaptation. Bringing on board Fable Siegel, an incredible artist whose body of work includes animation for Titmouse, Starburns, Hazbin Hotel, Game Grumps as well as storyboarding for shows including F is For Family, Ben 10, Adam Ruins Everything: Reanimated History and Wacky Races, the highly anticipated, 27-minute film was released at the end of March to much excitement, following a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign in 2020.
Joining forces with Spike Trotman of Iron Circus Comics, the team massively exceeded their initial crowdfunding goal of $85,000 grand, eventually raising over $330,000, ultimately allowing them to realise the dream of many an indie artist and filmmaker and create a 27 minute film on their own terms and true to their vision.
Upon its release, Lackadaisy became an online phenomenon, with over 3.5 million views in its first week. Boasting an enormous roster of fantastic artistic talent, a solid cast and engaging music by Sepiatonic, the film has also caught the attention of prominent figures such as indie legend Ralph Bakshi, illustrator Tyson Hesse and director Lilly Wachowski.
Stream the podcast below or direct download here.
For more on the project visit the official Lackadaisy site.