Meet Slavik IA & Jack Kasprzak

We had the good fortune of connecting with Slavik IA & Jack Kasprzak and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Slavik IA & Jack Kasprzak, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Slavik: I think The Daily Mobster is a story anyone can relate to, and it focuses on the most important aspect of stories, characters. And we’ve got plenty of those. Eighty to be exact, though the first season will see only twenty or so. We think our vision for the Digital Graphic Novel experience on the web will be something that will attract a lot of fans of mobsters, noire and dark humor. Jack, Roberto and I believe in this story, characters and vision to make it big!

Jack: For me, the desire to start a business begins as a very personal one. It, of course, has the long-term goal of being a self-sustaining and growing avenue to financial freedom but it also fulfills a desire to be self-sustaining in a personal sense and to fulfill a very real internal passion or need. When Slavik and I joined forces to create and develop IP, it was always with the intent to grow them into successful revenue models, but it wasn’t until we zeroed in on The Daily Mobster that we really scratched an itch to do just that but also explore larger questions about life and character through storytelling. It has really allowed us to express our own brand of drama and humor, tied in with unique visuals, and give the audience the most unfiltered and direct version of the stories we want to tell.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Slavik: I stopped thinking of myself as an artist some time ago, I really like the word creative as it suggests action, the action of creating, building, practicing and ultimately perfecting. Creating gives me the ability to express my thoughts, feelings and ideas from other mediums such as music, philosophy, visual art, cinema and technology. I really enjoy things that are weird, but that are done in good taste. I think what sets me apart from other artists is my latte art, since I am a beginner, it’s not good, but I keep on trying with every new cup – the lattes themselves are not too bad though!

Jack: Over the years I have found so many ways to express myself in various mediums, be it through film and animation, writing, illustration, fine art, or even music, I find the very act of bouncing around and exploring to be the art itself. Additionally, I have always found that cross pollinating mediums is often the most effective, refreshing and perspective changing way to explore the creative medium. Going to a museum, reading a philosophical book, and taking a walk in nature can be just as influential on say filmmaking, if not more, than watching other films – just as in the same way as watching and studying film and television can be incredibly informative and inspiring in creating illustration and printed content which can be seen at work in The Daily Mobster. If I had to describe my visual aesthetic, I’d say it often tries to capture the simultaneous darkness and humorous parts of life and story, often juxtaposing stark or bold visuals with playful or whimsical characters and story. I have a penchant for black and white imagery because I love its appearance of simplicity in the monotone contrast, while it actually is incredibly complex and seems to trigger something dreamlike, otherworldly, or supernatural as it so rarely occurs in our normal everyday life and nature.
The journey is not easy, and it’s a constant process, a minefield of challenges, riddled with self-doubt and the now popularized and overused “imposter syndrome.” But I’ve come to realize that those feelings are simply side effects of growth, of risk taking, of trying new things. Growth comes through discomfort and when we get to new places and accomplish new things when we place ourselves in uncharted waters. I often use one aspect of a project, business or creative endeavor to anchor me in what I know such as a specific visual style or language I’m used to and then drift away and explore in another such as the business product, the written thematic tones and subtext or even the delivery medium. Then vice versa, when it calls for a more conservative business decision it can often pair nicely with a risky or new creative or visual decision.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Slavik: Endorffeine for no-nonsense coffee (Chinatown), Bay Cities Deli for the Godmother sandwich (Santa Monica), Old Man Bar for the Old Fashioned (Mar Vista), repeat that seven times, throw in the ocean a few times and after this, their life will never be the same.

Jack: Los Angeles is an unmatched pastiche of style, architecture, landscape, people and food, both deeply transient and long and storied in its history. If I had to take a friend on a quick tour to give them a feel for Los Angeles I’d likely start with one its many nature wonders, as they were here first. El Matador is one of the most unique beaches and well worth the stairs down the cliffside. Griffith Park and its grand view of the valley below, the Hollywood sign and the Observatory is a classic and iconic vantage point to really get the lay of the land. As for food and drink, just head to the streets downtown around Spring, along Sawtelle on the westside, or Koreatown, the options are truly endless, and you can find just about any world cuisine. And lastly, I’d have to take them on something film related, as Los Angeles was practically founded by and around film. Skip the touristy walk of fame or Hollywood Blvd and either see an old 35mm at the historic or revival theatres.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Slavik: I’ve received a lot of support from fellow artists and mentors that have helped me immensely throughout my journey. Bruce Gionet is a 3D artist that has helped me break into the industry with the help of Jonah Hall, a very experience VFX Supervisor. Another mentor has helped me get into IP development is a VFX visionary Scott Ross. When I first contacted Scott, I didn’t think he would reply, as I was a starting artist, and he was a co-founder of Digital Domain. Not only he did, but he guided me with insight that gave me the starting tools to write, direct and navigate the industry. He told me to “Thank him” in my Oscar speech – perhaps one day. There are many more, such as Matthias Whitman, Scott Meadows, Sascha Flick, all industry veterans that have helped me along the way.

Jack: There’s an endless amount of people to thank and mention for my inspiration and creative drive ranging from my parents, teachers, professional mentors, and friends. But a few of the most pivotal have been people that took risks on me and helped push and challenge me in a new direction. Jim Schumann, a longtime director and executive producer from Dreamworks Animation, Nickelodeon, and Film Roman was the first to take a risk and help me direct my first episode of animated tv after I had been entrenched down the route of character animation and animation supervising for so long. Another person I have to thank for much of who I am today is Robert Solana Taylor, who has really pushed me to foster my creative visions, lean into my nerdy or unusual interests as well as my specific personal voice. He has introduced me to so many inspiring films, books and stories along the way and has been a force of support in helping me to believe in myself, which is so often half the battle.

Website: https://dailymobster.wordpress.com/

Image Credits
Photography by Jermaine Saunders.