Creator questions
What's your name (real or screen, your choice)
TOG: (That One Guy)
Tell me about yourself, age, where you're from, what you do, anything you want others to know about you, sex, etc.
31, originally Goodyear AZ.
I do a bit of everything, 'stuff', one might say.
Male (of course.)
What brought you to the Zootopia fandom?
Technically you, Cimar and Sarsis, aside from the film and CallMeGameBoy bringing up fanfiction on the film.
So you were brought to the fandom mainly through fanfics. What made you decide to start writing your own?
I literally had another drop it into my lap. I was asked for suggestions regarding a 'James Bond' take on the set, and after making said suggestions, they told me "Know what? I think you should just write the story. You've got more ideas than I ever considered, and I think you'd actually do the baseline justice." It was an unexpected response, to say the least, but I'd be a liar if I said I didn't absolutely enjoy the idea and subsequent foray into a creative subject I had yet to personally enter. Though, overall, I think they just didn't want to actually write the story. A brief moment of consideration. And earnestly, I can't blame them, there. My own ideas have since run rampant, and while I know where I want it to go, the how and why are less clear... I hadn't fully considered the effort involved in making a coherent story, much less one that could be considered engaging and considering the source material, characters and potential offered by end result, with limited time, was a Frankenstein's Monster of slapstick Bond and my own personal issues crashing together in an apparently entertaining mess.
Who is your OC today?
Frank Archibald Furter.
What animal are they?
A relatively diminutive wolf.
What do they look like? Special markings, colorations, etc.
No real patterning. Solid black aside from slowly going gray.
What inspired you to create them?
I needed a chef in the first arc of Agent Wilde, and so my pun-filled brain dubbed my personification as Frank Furter, the reason should be pretty obvious. xD
What are they like?
Equal parts peppy and reserved, a constant storm of emotion below a forced calm exterior, but genuinely finds joy in bringing people (mammals) joy with his cooking.
How much of yourself do you see in Frank?
Quite a bit, overall. A few taps at the desk to think over the question in full. I guess the key points would be; Wolf, pack animal, I take a lot of pride and care for family and those I consider friends. I enjoy cooking, which is why I made him a chef. I'd love to own a restaurant that just serves random comfort food on a given day. It's possibly my favorite hobby.
What's their family life like?
Up until recently, virtually non-existent.
Why is Frank's family life non-existent?
Mainly due to the immediate family being either non-existent or so far gone he can't deal with the ignorance they wilfully bring to the table.
Do they have a love interest?
Yes, yes he does. Though how she enters the story is yet to be figured out.
Is Frank's love interest a wolf as well?
She is, though the time they get is an absolute crapshoot. Frank treasures what they do.
Do you have any stories written about them or that they're included in?
Just cameos in Agent Wild vs Doctor OhNo, one to come in Mountains out of Molehills, one in Crimson & Clover, and technically one via the Skye High News Network, but under the moniker of TogDoesStuff.
What's your take on hybrids in Zootopia? Can they happen naturally or with scientific help? Or not at all?
The hybrids I've come across in the fandom have mainly been scientifically sound insofar as genetics, but the factors regarding predator to prey make them a difficult subject. We do have existing examples of predatory animals like felines mating with herbivores- i.e. rabbits, to produce 'Cabbits', so overall, there's brevity to the idea of an extensive range we may simply have yet to see due to natural circumstances.
How do you think culture should be used in fics?
Completely dependent on both the author and intent. I've abused such with reckless abandon, though I would caution against venturing heavily outside cultures one is not directly related to, so long as one researches the source properly and uses that source appropriately, I don't see an issue in incorporating a given culture with moderation. That said, I prefer to use my own familial background for it.
What background is that?
Predominantly Irish and Scottish, both traceable to Hebrew origin. I tend to place more emphasis on the immediate origins rather than the root bloodline, as I've got more limited knowledge regarding the Hebrew roots overall, and don't wish to mar the history therein.
Ultimate Zootopia question. Are you a WildeHopps shipper or do you prefer them with a different ship?
Absolutely WildeHopps. They balance each other out like the two sides of a coin. Without exaggerating the other, they both have similar core issues, and their personalities hit a true, stable grounding.
For the purpose of the OC interview the setting is the creator's OC is about to be interviewed by my co-owned OC Vicky Chola. A north american grey fox vixen in her mid 20s. They're both in a studio booth with headphones on and microphones to speak into. The interview we did earlier about the creator and their OC is considered a pre conversation between these two before going on the air. Vicky will ask questions based on the answers provided by the creator. Enjoy!
"Welcome everyone to another edition of the Characters of Zootopia show! I'm your host Vicky Chola and I have someone very special with me here today. Another one of my family, My uncle, Frank Furter. Thank you for joining me uncle Frank."
"Hey Vicky, Kristy chased any other mutts up a tree, lately?"
snorted loud laughter "Ah ha, no, just dad."
snicker "Sounds about right, you doing okay, pup? Been far too long."
"I know. I'm good, just super busy now. How are you holding up?"
sounds of scratching at an ear "I've seen better days, but that's what age does, I suppose. How's things in the suburbs? Sandcastles are fun at first, but when you realize you've literally made a glass house, stones thrown tend to either blow out a wall, or just sully the view." Snorting and wheezing at his own commentary.
giggle "It's nice. Nothing like home but nothing ever will be. Alright, lets get this show on the road. So, where are you from?"
"Originally? Pearizona, but I've-" snort "jumped around quite a bit, as you're aware... That couch was home for a long while, and the company afforded was more than acceptable... At least until the pizza incident of '07..." Choked back gales of laughter "At which point-" murmuring "I went to stay with 'Auntie Pearl.'"
"Auntie Pearl? You don't mean-"
"One and the ... Not before a run in with her uh... 'family members'." A slight choking sound.
"Yikes, how'd that turn out?"
"As expected, ten tons of hell, mixed with moments of hope. All exaggerated by absolute insanity." Chuckling "At least until I ran into ye olde uncle."
"You mean uncle Firn?"
"Yeah, that couch kinda... formed an alliance, I guess." Said with a wistful glint in his eye "It was our common ground, at least at the start."
snort "Do you still have that couch?"
"...Noooo..." Scratching at an ear "...Yes. "It may be falling apart. But it's cushions are stuffed with memories, kit." Absentmindedly puffs out a few cool blue flames from his snout
"Don't catch my studio on fire. So what are you doing now?"
Snorts "I make no promises" pats out a small flame on the desk "These days, just trying not to throw stones in my pretty new glass house. Nothing new, really, just trying to get by like everyone else, I suppose."
"Uh hu, so what's with the rumors I keep hearing about a 'kitty' hanging around your house?"
"Purely circumstantial. Also very true."
"And how are things progressing on that front?"
brief pause, followed by a slow exhale of purple flames "Slowly... But the ring is there to mark the promise." drumming claws on the desk "The promise to return, no matter what comes."
squeals "Will there be wedding bells soon?"
The drumming stops, claws retracting into a slight fist. "It's at least a season out, possibly longer... But we're working on getting our lives sorted out before we're going to be ready for that." Light sighs resulting in blue flames. "It's been a rough year for both of us, but we'll get there, no matter what."
"Oh I'm so excited!" clears throat "But let's keep going. What are your plans for the future?"
"These days? I'm just working on a career that'll make for a relatively comfortable life together, no more uh... Pyrotechnics for this old wolf." Snicker "Mostly." Impish grin
"Well I certainly hope things will work out for you. Unfortunately it's time to bring things to a close. Thank you so much for coming on."
"A pleasure, as always... Give Pops my best, Vick." Chuckle and a knowing nod
"And thank you viewers for joining us again."