We scroll through social media and see pieces of what people’s lives are. Where they ate, what they did, and who they saw. For those in the public eye we see the big moments; the late-night show appearances, the most exciting of days, and the incredible announcements. We often look at them in awe and imagine what it is like to spend just one day as them.
How often do we actually see what a real day in the life of someone looks like though? The behind-the-scenes, raw, sometimes stressful, routine or spontaneous, unfiltered life. The unannounced, unrehearsed, and unseen. Perhaps it’s beyond our wildest dreams, or not far from what we’ve imagined. Either way, we want to cut through preconceived impressions and get to the truth of successful peoples’ stories.
Danny Casale, known as Coolman Coffeedan on YouTube, grew up getting in trouble for doodling during class. Although he did not considered himself an artist, he enjoyed the creative process of transferring the cartoonish images from his brain and onto paper. He’s taken those sketches as an adult and transformed them into incredibly successful cartoons that add some happiness to countless timelines.
Coolman’s Universe also just participated in a Web3 initiative Reli3f to raise funds has for Ukrainian aid efforts -Reli3f, a humanitarian initiative birthed upon the innate artistic commitment to narrate stories in times of hardship, launched its second nonfungible token (NFT) collection last week, raising over $300,000 for recognized Ukrainian charities and taking their total to over $1.5 million. Drop 2 featured Reli3f team member Aleksandra Artamonovskaja, alongside the creator of the Coolman Universe, Danny Casale and music icon Sia under her alias Bianca ’de Medici, among many others. In addition to his new NFT venture and the launch of the Coolman’s Universe, Danny also released his first book late last year.
As part of the Into The Life series, will pull back the curtain and give a glimpse into the lives of the people that we find interesting. We are driven by the desire to discover the in-between moments, the before and afters, and the epiphanies along the way, that all come together to create the person they are today. We want to get to the essence of who they are now, and what shaped them throughout.
Flanelle Magazine : Who were you 10 years ago, and how have you evolved since then?
10 years ago I was 16, had Justin Bieber swoopy hair, and was a total creative, hopeless romantic. I jumped at every opportunity to create my little movies and sketches that I would then upload on YouTube for my audience of a few thousand. I doodled all over my school as I waited for the bell to ring. On the lunch trays, on my calculus notes, on the radiator next to my desk in 6th period Chemistry… whatever would help pass the time so I could get home and start working on my movies, music, and cartoons. I dreamed of a day when I didn’t have to worry about school and I could stay home and create all day. I’m happy to say, I’ve evolved into being exactly that! Take out the Justin Bieber swoopy hair and replace it with James Dean swoopy hair and you have modern day 26-year-old Danny Casale.
Was there ever a time of doubt for you, in terms of career? How did you overcome that?
Yes, the first year I took off from college was a wild learning experience. I got fed up with film school and dropped out to focus on making my own films and truly starting my career. I was 21 years old at this time. I moved back to my parents house to launch my video production company, started scouring Craigslist for gigs, and starting shooting / editing music videos for rappers around New York for $100 a pop. It was truly learning by doing, jumping into the piranha tank, and just figuring it out as I went. But it was tough. All while running around NYC, crashing on friends couches, sweating in the boiling summer heat and sometimes not being able to afford a train ticket back home… I saw my friends who stayed in college having a blast. Partying, hooking up, and hanging out. I couldn’t help but feel I made a mistake and was now outside of the loop. I would get depressed, but I trucked along, hoping this would pay off in the end. I think I overcame that by little ticks of validation along the way. A slightly larger paycheck, meeting a cool new musician, undergoing a brand new adventure while shooting… all the small stuff that I wouldn’t have experienced if I stayed in college.
At what moment did you realize that you’ve ‘made it’? Did that feel like you had imagined it to?
The day my first animation ever went completely and utterly viral, titled “Snakes Have Legs”. At this point it was 2017, which means I had been creating stuff and posting it online for a decade straight. I always wished for a video to resonate with people enough to go viral, but it never happened… until it did. It was wild to think that my dumb 3AM creation was being shared around the world by millions. It honestly felt incredible. But I knew that was only the first domino. It was time to build and start getting to work!
What do you do when you hit a creative roadblock?
Go for a walk, consult with a creative friend, or have a drink. Or all the above.
What is your typical day like? Is there a secret routine to success?
Nowadays, it’s a battle to randomly create without a goal or agenda. As things get busier and more people demand your time and attention, I find it’s more important than ever to block off time for YOU. Admittedly, I don’t have it completely figured out yet. But I’m very fortunate to have really good folks in my life who help take care of the nitty gritty so that I can focus on my art. I would say, if there’s any secret, it’s keeping a to-do list and sticking to it. And keeping care of your mind and body. And calling your mom!
What is something you do every day that people wouldn’t expect?
Air drum. I randomly do it at least multiple times a day. Not sure why, but it’s fun. I also flip myself off in the mirror every morning and every night. I like to think it keeps me humble.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
An email from Mark Ruffalo, where he told me to make a friend with fear, because fear is oftentimes an indicator that you are progressing in life.
Where do you hope to be 10 years from now?
Somewhere comfy with my loved ones, watching a thing that I made on a big screen, laughing together, and celebrating afterward with a delicious meal. And then I’m going to go home and flip myself off in the mirror before bed.