💫 SPOTLIGHT / INTERVIEW 💫

Meet Jonathan Nolan and his animated web series Nightworks

Jonathan Nolan is a writer, artist, poet and published author and game designer. He is the originator of the FASERIPopedia retroclone OSR superhero game and its licensed spinoff “FASERIP Tidal Wave Comics sourcebook” range created in cooperation with Tidal Wave Comics. Most recently, he has written and published EPIC FANTASY, an OGL-D&D game combining the entire OGC SRD from the world’s most popular fantasy role-playing game with FASERIPopedia’s wildly successful rules.

More recently he has expanded his business to include animation productions and other film and TV related projects, all self funded.

Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind "Nightworks Episode 1 - The Night-Adapted Eye"? What drew you to explore themes involving the Toynbee Tiles, Mothman, and Jupiter?

I stumbled over Mothman as many people did by reading John Keel. Researching it deeply I was the first person in the world to discover that the Our Haunted Planet book by John Keel was also the inspiration for the reclusive man who created the Toynbee Tiles. This entire matrix redolent with folklore evolved from my obsessive fascination with these real life mysteries.

Your background spans across various creative fields, from writing to game design. How did your diverse experiences influence your approach to directing "Nightworks"?

I wanted to infuse my storytelling into the script in ways that are not always superficial or obvious. Animation relaxes an audience and that allows my horror background to spring surprises and fearful moments on the viewer. Also my strength as a narrative creator translated well to the animated series in this case.

Could you share some insights into the challenges you faced while transitioning from game design to animation production? How did you overcome these challenges?

Game design involves the creation of characters and settings. Animation has the same features in some cases but radically different problems to solve – making movements naturalistic, adding a soundtrack and ambient sound effects and so on.

NIGHTWORKS- The Night-Adapted Eye

A young woman becomes entangled in a strange conspiracy of suppression involving the Toynbee Tiles, Mothman and the planet Jupiter!

The synopsis of "Nightworks" suggests a complex narrative involving conspiracy and mythology. How did you go about balancing these elements to create a cohesive story?

I make the story in season 1 of Nightworks the intensely personal one of the lead character, voiced so beautifully by Katie Anderson. That throughline allows any number of distractions or digressions as long as we always return to the protagonist at the end.

Your director's statement mentions encountering disruption and tragedy during the production of "Nightworks." How did these experiences shape the creative process, and what lessons did you learn from them?

Mothman is real. Its curse is real. There is no lesson to learn other than: “There are no answers. Only choices.”

Can you elaborate on the significance of self-funding your film projects? How does this approach impact creative freedom and artistic vision?

With no investor or exec producer to answer to and no need to make bad deals for distribution, I have total creative freedom.

"Nightworks" is described as a project closest to your heart. What personal connections or experiences influenced your passion for this particular story?

I have studied these phenomena since the age of 14. Mothman has been in my life so long I’ve forgotten a time when there was anything else.

The film industry is constantly evolving, especially with advancements in technology and changing audience preferences. How do you see animation as a medium evolving in the future, and what role do you hope your projects will play in this evolution?

Animation enhanced by AI is now the norm for all mainstream film making. “Live” film making is now a sideshow curiosity. Animation is the comet; old fashioned film making is the dinosaur.

Who would you like to acknowledge and credit for the success of this project?

John Keel, Kaylen Paynter and Katie Anderson. Without my leading ladies I am nothing; without the work of John Keel there is no story to tell.

Could you share insights into how you're refining your approach to ensure your creative ideas deeply resonate with your audience as you embark on your future projects?

My animation is “hand made” so primarily I am constantly trying to improve my craft as an animator. I am also constantly writing sketching and studying to better decide on a style for each of my animation projects. I have come to learn however that “story is king.”

What quote best captures the essence of your identity and vision as a director?

“The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile but that it is indifferent, but if we can come to terms with this indifference, then our existence as a species can have genuine meaning. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.” ― Stanley Kubrick