Q: Who IS that? A: Shad Petosky, PUNY entertainer

Name: Shad Petosky
Twitter: @punyent
Websites: punyentertainment.com, facebook.com/hugepuny, https://plus.google.com/u/1/114569207739733336492/

What's your job?
"I co-founded PUNY with Vincent Stall. We're an 'interactive entertainment studio' best known for animating 62 episodes of the design-oriented preschool show Yo Gabba Gabba! Hello kids. I'm THE PRESIDENT and creative director, which means I feel responsible for everything. My day-to-day is finding and working with clients, financials, initial concepting, and doodling things to execute or change. I also decide what's next, which is usually based on my myriad of interests or whatever an artist or programmer working in the studio is into. We've designed restaurants—Black Sheep Pizza, Haute Dish—tons of online games, a bunch of TV pilots and developments—Fox, Comedy Central, IFC Channel, Nick, Cartoon Network, BBC America—did bits for four feature films two with wide release in 2012, print illustrations for The New Yorker, uh...oh yeah, a couple Interactive set things for live shows.  We also work with our equity partner FRWD on mobile and media for a bunch of Fortune 500 companies and we're building enterprise-level metrics system for some clients. We recently started doing more live-action video because our clients want it. We're all over the place—I need to stay interested."

Other than your job, what are your claims to fame?
"Not 'fame,' but generally people ask me about my old job. I was a partner with Zander and Kevin Cannon and co-founded Big Time Attic making comic books and graphic novels. Also, I filmed a viral video in 2006 of a drunk squirrel in my yard; a journalist told me it was Minnesota's first viral video. There is an interview of me on a syndicated show that people see everyone once in a while. With the TV and fIlm work I've got to work and have dinner and mess around with a bunch of actually famous people. My oldest cool story that isn't a secret is that I helped Johnny Cash throw a small birthday party for June Carter Cash, in the hotel where I worked. Oh yeah, and I owned Pink Hobo Gallery so ran around there taking photos and pouring illegal drinks...that's how a lot of people know me."

What's your relationship status?
"Married to Anna for 11 years, with a three-year-old son and one-year-old daughter."

Where are you most likely to be seen?
"With working as much as I do and having young kids, It's usually spur of the moment so it's more events than regular haunts. Art openings. Anything at CO Exhibitions or XYandZ, Haute Dish, Jetset, 112. I'm hosting a monthly comedy show at Huge Theater, so it's easy to see me there on the stage for $5. I like to go dancing: Jetset, Record Room, Hell's Kitchen, wherever hip-hop is but I don't like to personally know the DJ—they're watching. I take my kids to the Walker on Thursdays; they think the Sculpture Garden is a playground. We also go to Nick Universe a lot. I have 80 free passes left. When I travel I don't have family obligations so I feel like i have more regular haunts in other cities."

Where are you least likely to be seen?
"I doubt I'll ever go to Transmission. I'm not big on the urban dive bars. I like a lively going out, not a hang-out scene."

With whom are you most likely to be seen?
"I can't plan a night out so if I'm not with Will Shepard—a comedy writer—or Dave Schroeder—a musician, EYEO festival producer—I'm usually alone but know enough people to have boring small talk for an hour or two anywhere. I'm always stoked to see Kate Iverson. I work with Kristoffer Knutson and Halley Georgeson and dig tagging along to the next thing with them."

Where were you born?
"Kalispell, Montana. I moved to Minneapolis in 1998."

What neighborhood do you live in now?
"North Minneapolis."

What's your ride?
"A 1999 Subaru Forrester, my second car after a 1982 Subaru Station Wagon. I plan on buying a 2018 Subaru."

What's the best way to start a conversation with you?
"I like being approached in whatever way. I want to talk about me and them and design and cartoons and business and politics. When I go out I do it because I really really want to talk to people over the age of three. The only thing I am uncomfortable with is someone asking for a job at their current employer's party.  We also don't really use contractors or freelancers or take unsolicited ideas for shows; we try to only take on what we can handle as a studio."

Photo courtesy Shad Petosky

Jay Gabler

Jay Gabler (jay@tcdailyplanet.net, Twitter @JayGabler) is the Daily Planet's arts editor.