Producing his own role in animation
Fifth in a series of interviews with filmmakers, actors, and others involved in the inaugural Plymouth Independent Film Festival, scheduled to open July 21. For screening locations and times, visit www.plyfilmfest.org.
Carl W. Adams is the director of development at Soup2Nuts, an award-winning TV production studio in Watertown. Among the company's credits is ''Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist," a cartoon series that ran for six seasons on Comedy Central, earning two Cable Ace Awards, a George Foster Peabody Award, and an Emmy.
Since then, Soup2Nuts (formerly known as Tom Snyder Productions) has produced shows like ''The Dick and Paula
Adams was interviewed via telephone and e-mail recently about working in the animation business and the workshop he is leading at the Plymouth festival on July 22.
Q: So, your animation studio is based in Watertown?
A: We have 40 animators here, under one roof. Every time we go to L.A. or New York, people ask us, ''617? What area code is that?"
Q: Are you from around here? How old are you?
A: I'm 36, and grew up in New Bedford, went to college in Fitchburg, and now live in Brighton.
Q: How did you get into this business?
A: I went to Fitchburg State and did an internship at Tom Snyder Productions. I was a graphics major, and after my internship I realized I [was not good] at graphics, but liked the company, so I got a job in the warehouse to stay around Boston. That led to sales for a couple years, and then when Tom Snyder met Jon Katz they created and launched ''Dr. Katz" for Comedy Central. Very soon after that, they asked me to come work on ''Dr. Katz" and work on the newly formed TV business. I've been here ever since. I think it's been 14 years. . . .Yikes!
Q: What's a typical day on the job?
A: I guess today is typical. I got in today and checked e-mails first thing. Then I got a coffee [from] Dunkin' Donuts. I usually have production and development meetings right after that. But today I met with some internal people to talk about a new show we are starting to develop . . . came back and watched a rough cut of our new show on [the Noggin network], and made a couple notes for the producer. I read a lot of pitches and maybe watch pitch tapes of existing shows that are in development here or maybe of potential talent to use down the road. . . . OK, now I'm even boring myself. . . . Basically a lot of my job is visiting and pitching and just getting relationships going with networks, talent, and writers. Then it's easier for me to go through and recommend show ideas or pitches that I think may have a home somewhere. Then the final part is trying to launch them, or at least oversee them, creatively.
Q: What projects are you working on now?
A: As for things in production . . . right now I'm an E.P. [executive producer] on a show that I also co-created, called ''O'Grady." I'm also helping launch and run our newly formed shorts division called ''Condensed Soup." And I'm working with the Cartoon Network on their new show that launches later this year.
Q: What are your thoughts on the Plymouth Independent Film Festival? Were you surprised to hear that Plymouth was launching a film festival?
A: Well, I'm not sure if I was surprised they had one or not. But I'm excited to hang out a bit and what it's all about. When I heard about it, my initial thought was, ''I'll do it, because my sister lives there and maybe I can get some dinner and visit my new niece."
Q: Tell me about the workshop you're holding.
A: I know that we will be showing some old stuff -- Dr. Katz, Dick and Paula, Home Movies -- and some new stuff, [like] O'Grady, and some shorts we have just done for [the Cartoon Network] and for our own enjoyment.
"Animation: From Soup2Nuts" will be shown on July 22 from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor, 180 Water St. in Plymouth. Admission is $10. Tickets are available at the customer service desk at Independence Mall in Kingston (cash only), online through TicketWeb at www.plyfilmfest.org, or by mail, with a check payable to Plymouth Independent Film Festival and sent to Lisa Mattei, Festival director, PO Box 1256, Plymouth, MA 02362. Emily Sweeney can be reached at esweeney@globe.com. 
