The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
EntertainmentFilmThe Latest

Genndy Tartakovsky Talks Directing ‘Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation’

by Jae Thomas (@jaethomas) May 25, 2018
by Jae Thomas (@jaethomas) May 25, 2018 0 comments
102

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is coming to theaters June 13th, and is sure to be filled with all the fun, laughter, and pandemonium of the previous two films.

Pending the release of his new animated picture, we chatted with director Genndy Tartakovsky about some of his directing methods and how the cast, crew, and technology brought the movie together.

Were any interactions between characters based on the experience of going on a cruise with your in-laws?

Genndy Tartakovsky: I did tell them, “Look, so this is the way I’m positioning the movie, you know I’m going to say, my in-laws,” and they were loving it up. I do like them, we get along. It gets too much sometimes like any in-laws, but generally, they’re really nice and they did pay for the whole trip so it’s very generous, but I don’t think any specific things that they did made it in probably it was just the overall feeling. You know, because all our characters are so specific.

So some of the actors bring up their time with you because they don’t spend a lot of time together. Do you have any methods you consider unorthodox when you’re coaching actors in the booth?

Genndy Tartakovsky: Well, one thing is you can’t tell them how to say it. Because we write it, we storyboard it, we put scratch voices on it, we screen it; it gets scrutinized. By the time it comes to them, it’s kind of figured out and so you want them to better it, and at the same time you still want them to be on pace and on timing to what we’re doing with the picture. And that’s tough. Especially with Jim Gaffigan, I did one little line reading and he’s like “Let me do it!” Because they’ve got very unique timing and they’re amazingly funny and so I’m always very conscious about never giving them a line reading unless they ask for it and because they will always find a funnier way to do it, then we’ll adjust after. But they’re very amazing, they’re cordial. With Andy I’m laughing through the whole session, especially because his Johnny lines are really goofy. And Kathryn is amazing, Keegan is great, so yeah.

How do you find it easy to help them connect with the other characters that they’re not running the lines with?

Genndy Tartakovsky: I do it.  I think what Kathryn was saying is —

You get in character?

Genndy Tartakovsky: Yeah! I pretend. Sometimes it depends how I feel, it depends who I’m doing it with. Some people just want to read, some people want it to really feel the real acting between. Because you’re trying to get the right timing and if someone’s just doing their lines without the in-between lines, especially in a scene where they’re playing off another character, that’s really hard. And so, we’ll record Adam, and then a month later we’ll get Kathryn but they’re having this big scene together. Then I’ll remember what Adam did and the I’ll mimic it to her as we reread the lines. And it’s hard, I’m not from an acting background so it’s hard for me. But luckily through all my TV work, I would always direct the voice actor in the booth, so I had started doing it a little bit. But in TV, it’s really funny, we always get the whole cast together. Dexter was always with Dee Dee and the three Powerpuff Girls were always together and that made it a lot easier because they feed off each other. And then when I got into features, we were able to do one group recording on the first movie, and that’s it! And then from then on, from the second movie through the third movie, everybody’s by themselves and it sucks because you want that interplay.

How much has the technology changed even though it’s just a short span over the course of these three films?

Genndy Tartakovsky: It changes every year because especially for Sony Pictures Image Works, they have to stay on the cutting edge because they facilitate all the big, live, action movies so they’ve got to be very competitive with everything new and for us it’s basically the same. I think it’s just they figured out a way to do it easier. Like with the animation on the first one, we struggled because I wanted Drac to have this expression and then this expression and then completely break his model, and so the animators had to literally redesign it each time. It took a lot of time. Now all their faces are so much more pliable that they can do it much quicker than actually starting from scratch. So it hasn’t changed that much.

When you got to collaborate with George Lucas was there anything specific he taught you, or anything you learned from him that you brought with you later in your career?

Genndy Tartakovsky: The one thing he said, I had like three or four lunches with him that was about it for our interaction, but the one thing he said that I thought was brilliant was, he goes, “All people really want to see is a puppy thrown into the freeway.” And what that means is a puppy, you instantly love it. Everybody loves a puppy. It’s cute, it’s adorable, it’s innocent… and getting put into the most horrific situation. That’s what that means. And I thought that was a really, very simplistic way to explain that you just want to care. Depending on what you’re watching, I don’t think a lot of people are going to cry at this movie, but hopefully you’re on board for the silly fun. But that was the one thing I always kind of kept.

I don’t know if you’ll be a part of Hotel Transylvania 4, but does this one wrap up an arc for you?

Genndy Tartakovsky: For me, yeah. I think especially because I got to write this one with Mike McCullers it feels like a lot of my voice from all my other work. Especially at the end there’s this big action sequence that I think will take people by surprise because it’s big, it’s fun, it’s dangerous, it’s epic. But for me, I think I’m done. At the end of the second one I yelled that “I’m done!” You never know. What’s happened in the industry Is because of the Netflix’s, the Hulu’s, everything, and the studios, there are so much more opportunity to do my own thing and after I finish the Samurai Jack season five I’m like “These are my roots, I need to develop my own stuff.” I have my own movies and shows that I want to do so I decided after this movie it’s going to be my own thing.

I thought “Monster Tinder” or “Zinger” was pretty brilliant. Did you come up with that bit?

Genndy Tartakovsky: Yeah! It was myself and Michael McCullers.

What’s the secret to finding what kids find funny in all these different generations?

Genndy Tartakovsky: It’s really as I reflect on everything I’ve done, I remember when we were doing Dexter I thought people love it because it’s kind of quirky, and the idea is good because he’s a scientist. I thought it was all concept. Then went I actually went to my first comic book convention for Dexter, people would come up to me and they’d go “Oh my God you captured the brother-sister relationship so perfectly.” And I was like “What?” What people loved was that they found accessible the relationship. So, it wasn’t all the things that I thought I was doing, but what I got right accidentally, in the beginning, was the brother-sister thing. Because it was based on myself and my brother, because he would have all the good toys and I would want to play with him and he wouldn’t let me play, I had to play a certain way; so it was that and because it captured this universal feel of siblings, that’s what made it really accessible and successful. So from that point, I started to think about it a little smartly if I could, because really with comedy, I don’t know what you like, I really don’t know what a ten-year-old likes. Yeah, probably a fart or a burp is going to work but you can’t do a movie full of fart jokes. Maybe you can, I don’t know. But it’s low hanging fruit, even though we do a couple of really good fart jokes that are very character built, comedy is hard and what I believe is funny is sincerity so if it’s a true joke. I don’t personally like a lot of one liners, it’s just kind of clever and it’s like “oh okay you came up with a funny pun,” but especially in this movie there’s so much more physical humor, and timing humor, and rhythm; you might not be laughing but you have a smile and it’s very fun to watch. It’s more of a fun experience. To get a belly laugh, that’s so hard. We’ve had multiple screenings and when all the kids and adults are laughing at the same joke, that’s gold.

I love that blob that you can just tear him to shreds and he keeps going and he’s just like “No big deal.”

Genndy Tartakovsky: It’s funny because he really grew from the second movie to be of such a popular character so now he’s almost like part of the —

Creating the voice for blobby, the little blob, is that just you blowing bubbles? Is there a little technical enhancement there?

Genndy Tartakovsky: No. I mean we definitely put sound effects to mask my voice with it. But no, it’s just like *makes bubbling noise* and that’s it. Every time we used to do storyboards and we’d pitch it, the sound effects, it’s really like you’re playing on the floor with a car. It’s all very natural, if you can forget about your security of people watching you be ridiculous. I love watching Steve Buscemi record because he’s an amazing actor, he’s on Boardwalk Empire, he does all these amazing roles and then we go “Can you bark happily and then howl?” I feel guilty because he’s so much more than just what this is, but he just thinks about it for a second and then he just pops into it, and he nails it, and it’s amazing, and it’s got all the feeling of it.

Do you write dialogue for Blobby in your script? Do you give him a subtitle, so you know the attitude of the bubbles?

Genndy Tartakovsky: Yes, we do. For sure.

The reason I ask that is because of James Gunn, he has a Groot script for Guardians of the Galaxy where he writes the dialogue for Groot. So, when Vin Diesel says, “I am Groot” he knows what Groot is saying with the intent of “I am Groot.” So you know the intent of what Blobby is saying with all the bubbles?

Genndy Tartakovsky: Yes, absolutely.

Awesome. Now these three movies are a trilogy, what do you hope people will take away from them overall?

Genndy Tartakovsky: I think fun, laughter. This is a comedy, we’re not trying to make you cry or anything. There’s an emotionality to it and there’s a family so I think it’s bringing this family to life and that there are silly, funny movies that you can sit back and enjoy and not think too hard about. I’ve always said there’s a place for a When Harry Met Sally comedy, there’s a place for a Dumb and Dumber, and there’s a place for an Airplane. They’re all three very good comedies, but very, very different. But in animation it seems we’re only supposed to do whatever the Pixar or the Disney style of animated film, but why? Why can’t we do Blazing Saddles a comedy— just as good, but just in a completely different way. That’s what we’ve always tried to do. When I came into this franchise I’m like, “Yeah, it’s Dracula, and he’s crazy and erotic, and you got Adam Sandler as the voice. Why not embrace all that and make it a cartoon? It still has heart and real human feelings at the core, but on the surface it’s goofy.

Last question, was there a lot of thought into making the release date a Friday the 13th?

Genndy Tartakovsky: I think it just landed that way. It really did. They were very nervous about moving it to the summer. I was too initially, because we’ve been so successful in fall, why do you want to shift it? But at the same time, you look movies that are released in the summers and the ones in the fall, and there’s just as many kids every single day. It’s accessible to everybody during the summer. And then with the Friday 13th date, that came after the idea. We initially started making the movie for the fall, but it was a cruise already and then it was a summer vacation and then it seemed like it was a natural fit.

Genndy TartakovskyHotel Transylvania 3
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Jae Thomas (@jaethomas)

previous post
Kathryn Hahn and Keegan-Michael Key Talk ‘Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation’
next post
Get Your Free Tickets To ‘Ocean’s 8’ Here

Related Posts

Renowned Restaurant Fresco by Scotto Debuts a New...

October 22, 2025

Cedric the Entertainer Reflects on The Neighborhood’s Final...

October 22, 2025

It: Welcome to Derry Season 1 Non-Spoiler Review

October 22, 2025

New York City Wine & Food Festival Wraps...

October 22, 2025

Bernadette Peters, Sutton Foster & Leslie Odom Jr....

October 22, 2025

James Callis, Shaul Metzstein & Nick Mohammed Talks...

October 21, 2025

AIF 2025 Festival Opens with Mamoru Hosoda’s Scarlet

October 21, 2025

Tea, Treatments, and Tranquility: Naturopathica Hosts Intimate Event...

October 21, 2025

GoingDry.co Celebrates Sober October with Tremble in SoHo

October 21, 2025

New York City Wine & Food Festival Soared...

October 21, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

Lifestyle. Music. Entertainment.
Info@theknockturnal.com
New Cover Out Now ⬇️

Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company, where office life meets absurd comedy. 🪑 
Stream it now on @HBO. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/la-premiere-hbos-the-chair-company/

✍️: Katherine Wright
-
#TheChairCompany #HBO #HBOOriginal #HBOShow #BingeWorthy #MustWatch #StreamingNow
@justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The @justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The Leag, one of LA’s most talked-about underground sports events. With celebrities, athletes, and creators filling the sidelines, the night captured the energy of competition and culture colliding under the lights. 🏀

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/justin-bieber-leads-skylrk-to-victory-at-las-underground-sports-phenomenon-the-league/

✍️: Parris Rose

-
#JustinBieber #SKYLRK #TheLeag #LosAngeles #SportsCulture #Basketball #UndergroundSports
@nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about t @nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about their journey as six members, a long, inspiring adventure that’s led them to a major milestone: their first-ever full-length album, Blue Valentine. 💙

The project dives deep into the complexity of human emotions, wrapped in NMIXX’s signature MIXX-pop sound. 🎶

“The story of NMIXX is still unfolding.” 

Full Article 🔗 https://theknockturnal.com/nmixx-blue-valentine/

By @EmmaSalehi 

#NMIXX #BlueValentine #NMIXXBlueValentine #MIXXPOP #NMIXXComeback #KpopInterview #TheKnockturnal #Kpop #KpopNews #KpopGirlGroup #NMIXX_BlueValentine #HAEWON #LILY #BAE #JIWOO #KYUJIN #SULLYOON #엔믹스
Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of @beetlejuicebway? Now you can! From now until Halloween, @tempotimessquare hosting an unforgettable Beetlejuice Suite experience where every corner is bursting with spooky charm, strange surprises, and a whole lot of Netherworld flair. 💀✨ 

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a little strange and unusual, this is your chance to step into the world of the ghost with the most. 👻 #BeetlejuiceBroadway #TempoTimesSquare #BeetlejuiceSuite
#ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when y #ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when you least expect it — and flinch when you do. 👀💥

Full review out now.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/park-chan-wooks-no-other-choice-is-dark-gripping-and-bitingly-funny/

✍️: Ishan Wankavala 

-
#NoOtherChoice #KoreanCinema #Cinephile #FilmReview #NewRelease #MustWatch
📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining 📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining boundaries with each track, image, and evolution. Dive into our exclusive to uncover the artistry behind the name. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/woodz/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#Woodz #Kpop #ArtistSpotlight #Editorial
EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to elect EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to electrifying new heights, bringing “I WANT IT” to life with unmatched energy, confidence, and flair. Every beat, every move, every note is a reminder that STAYC don’t just perform—they command the stage. 🌈💥

From their glowing visuals to powerhouse vocals, @stayc_highup deliver a night that’s equal parts spectacle and soul.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/stayc/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#STAYC #StayTunedTour #IWANTIT #STAYCgirls #STAYChighup #Kpop #ConcertHighlights #ExclusiveFeature
Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new film, exploring its unique darkness. 🌟

#ParkChanWook #NoOtherChoice #TheAx #KoreanFilm #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook tea Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook teases his probable upcoming project Genocidal Organ! 

#ParkChanWook #GenocidalOrgan #NYFF #NYFF26
Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in his latest film @nootherchoicefilm. 🖤🎬

#LeeByungHun #NoOtherChoice #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun refl Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun reflects on 20 years of film, from South Korea to Hollywood! 

#LeeByungHun #Hollywood #KoreanCinema #Film #NoOtherChoice #NYFF26 #NYFF
Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what it means to move forward together in their latest comeback. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/cix/

✍️: Emma Salehi

Photo Credits: C9 Entertainment 
-
#CIX #GOChapter1 #GOTogether #TheKnockturnal #KpopInterview #KpopNews #CIXComeback #CIX2025 #KpopFeature #CIXFans
It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North Ameri It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North America on their ‘Stay Tuned’ tour! 💖

Watch their energetic and fun filled show near you 👀🌟

#stayc #kpop #kpopconcert #iwantit #staycstaytuned #staytuned
Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷 We had the most a Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷

We had the most amazing day of inspiring panels, activations and networking at @femalefounderworld, with @eyebuydirect! 👓
Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joa Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joachim Trier for their sixth cinematic journey, co-writing Sentimental Value, a poignant exploration of family, memory, and reconciliation. 

-
#Screenwriting #Storytelling #WritingForFilm #FilmWriting #NYFF2025 #NewYorkFilmFestival #IndieFilm
At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to l At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to life in Sentimental Value, portraying a character whose journey through family complexities and personal discovery resonates deeply. 

-
#RenateReinsve #NYFF #SentimentalValue #NoraBorg #FilmFestival #Actress
@nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as @nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as a director, bringing his story to life with precision, collaboration, and attention to every frame. 

The film reflects his dedication to emotion, storytelling, and cinematic craft. 🎥

-
#JoachimTrimmer #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Director #Filmmaking
We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the emotional process behind her latest film. ✨

-
#IngaIbsdotterLilleaas #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Cinema
Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ellefanning in conversation at this year’s @thenyff.

-
#ElleFanning #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #RedCarpet #Cinema
✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performa ✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performances, the 2025 #TeenVogueSummit brought together voices shaping fashion, culture, and activism today. 💬🎶

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/2025-teen-vogue-summit-recap-full-of-fun-fashion-and-connection/

✍️: Zipporah Pruitt

-
#TeenVogue #TeenVogueSummit2025 #TeenVogueEvents
#TeenVogueCommunity #TeenVogueStyle
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch