Interview with Karen M.C. Kane

By Daniel Rolnik On June 30, 2011

Welcome to the world of Karen M.C. Kane, a producer, writer, animator, and director. She’s always working on something cool in relation to video, so be sure to be on the lookout for one of her many websites. We had a long conversation on the recent radical infestation of turtles in Los Angeles, but that’s not included in this piece. And yes, that’s her tattoo…

Daniel Rolnik: What’s Bad Ass Fever all about?

KK: Bad Ass Fever is a philosophy, a way of life and it also happens to be the name of my multi-media empire in the making! In a nutshell, Bad Ass Fever is an all-consuming lust for living life to the limit. You can recognize an individual who has the fever by their endless need to create, invent and otherwise make this wild world a better place and inspire others with their renegade ways. I only want to tell stories about people with Bad Ass Fever.

Daniel Rolnik: What do you think of artists who aren’t willing to tattoo their life philosophy on their arm?

KK: I think they are probably more focused and sane than I am. My tattoo is really a permanent reminder to myself because I am easily sidetracked by new and shiny adventures. Also, in case I get heat stroke in the wilderness and forget who I am, someone could find me and easily type Bad Ass Fever into google and help identify me.

Daniel Rolnik: What’s the best way to have fun in Los Angeles?

KK: The best way to have fun in Los Angeles is to open your eyes to what’s around you. From cool neon signs to the endless array of off-the-wall characters on every corner, this whole place is a constant playland. When I remember to do it, I share some of the fun I have found on this site http://thenameofthegameisfun.wordpress.com/

Daniel Rolnik: How did your documentary City of Lost Carts come about and how do people view it?

KK: I participated in a way cool film event where you have 5 days to make a short doc from scratch. I was already obsessed with shopping carts and when we got art as our category this amazing shopping cart photographer I had found online became the perfect subject. For me the funnest part is that the film ended up being selected to be on this educational film website where people take a quiz about the movie! I am hoping to get my hands on the answers and turn that into its own fun project.

http://learning.snagfilms.com/film/city-of-lost-carts

Daniel Rolnik: Out of all your jobs, what’s been the weirdest?

KK: I haven’t done anything weird like wrangling snakes or anything but an odd job that stands out is my one day stint at a theme park dressed as a french’s mustard bottle. There is a real thrill that comes from spreading spicy mustard goodness to young and old alike!

Daniel Rolnik: Why do you have so many websites haha?

KK: It’s an addiction and possibly a personality disorder. I experience these extremely excited moments where I come up with what I think is the most brilliant idea ever and I go buy a domain and get obsessed with it for days and then the high wears off and I forget all about it.

Daniel Rolnik: What program did you use to create the most awesome animation ever “Sunglass Lives”?

KK: It literally brings tears to my eyes that you like Sunglass Lives. It was one of my first experiments in flash. Also, it was my first time trying to play guitar from a lesson I found on the internet.

Daniel Rolnik: What are you planning on launching by the end of 2011?

KK: My number one project for 2011 is my plan to launch Bad Ass Fever with a kickoff event on September 16, 2011. That date will mark my five year anniversary of being in Los Angeles and it will be an event to celebrate all my favorite people whose Bad Ass Fever have inspired me!

Daniel Rolnik: And lastly, what’s the greatest arcade game of all time?

KK: Haha! Ms. Pac Man Hands down. In fact, I am such a fan I’d love to organize a Ms. Pac Man Super Conference! Maybe you can help me with that! ☺