Something New, Just in Time for Halloween

Hi!

For all concerned parties, AXES is still alive and kicking/swinging/whatever. With production essentially done, it's been a continuous matter of mapping out its future. I am optimistic that, if you are reading this, you're probably interested in seeing the darn thing. To that end, I'm working on the best way to make it happen.

In the meantime, though, I also have a new project very early in the works. Stylistically, it's going to be a nice departure from AXES. This is a stand-alone short, hopefully under five minutes, so it's a bit less daunting than, y'know, a TV show. That's all there is to say, really, but how about a teaser image?

Enticed? Hope so.

Hey, animation is done.

In the spirit of keeping people up-to-date, animation for the the quarter-hour pilot was finished about two weeks ago. Can't really say why there wasn't an immediate update littered with exclamation points, but we assure you, this is most exciting news. There's still a fair amount of audio to be done, but I feel comfortable revealing the final image from the pilot to a deserving public.

Spoiler Alert: We fade to black.

In other news, I also managed to put together my animation reel between then and now. This actually does contain some AXES footage (and a bunch of other cool stuff), so to those who haven't seen it, please check it out.

 

 That's all for now. Keep your eyes and ears open, because there will be some sort of screening/viewing opportunity of the completed show in the near future.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First Act Nearly Compl- WHAT IS THAT?!

It's true. After nearly 18 months of work, Episode 1: Act 1 is very, very close to being done. A few little animation tweaks need to be made, and there's still some sound and music left to bring in, but we've pretty much got a watchable little piece of entertainment.

Now because animation is a pretty solitary process, I occasionally go insane. These bouts of madness manifest themselves in many different ways: unintelligible babbling, self-flagellation, conspicuously smelling people, baking cookies for the wrong holiday...the list goes on.

And sometimes I just do this:

This is an animation frame exported directly from Flash, and there is indeed something off about our good friend the Slumberjack. Every time I see this drawing, it becomes more odd and a unsettling, but I will not be changing it for the final animation.

That is because the camera will not capture any of this tomfoolery, cutting the frame off at the beefy Trogdor arm. Sometimes it's just fun to do stupid drawings to let off steam, and I wanted to share one.

There are actually a lot of little Easter eggs that will be on screen the final version, but in the meantime, this will be our little secret...

Silly Human Sounds

  Well, it's been over a year since production started on AXES, and we're about to meet a major milestone: The halfway point! That is, the first act of two is very nearly done, and I don't think I find that disheartening. The good news is, this 15-minute chunk works nicely on it's own, perhaps even as a standalone pilot. More on that as it develops, but in the meantime, who wants to read a lil' filmmaking lesson?

  For those unfamiliar with the dialogue recording process for animation, there is an odd yet necessary practice of recording various grunts, groans, and screams for each character. On top of sounding like bizarre pornography outtakes, these miscellaneous exclamations do serve a greater purpose.

  Without these noises, our fight scenes would be awkwardly stoic, smaller moments would seem empty, and our characters would lose some of their personality. Without them, AXES wouldn't feel right, and you, our devoted audience, would notice. Also, I wouldn't have been able to make the following embarrassing little compilation featuring our talented cast. What good sports, I assume. Enjoy.

Empty Walls

People stop me on the street pretty much, like, all the time, asking if there's any conceivable way they could contribute to AXES. My typical response is to tighten my parka, disguise my internationally-recognized voice, feign deafness, and punch them in the neck - but not today! So far, AXES has been a pretty small operation, but now we could really use your help. That's right, you know what's coming...

I am proud to announce our OFFICIAL KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN!

Okay, not really. In all seriousness, Kickstarter is a fantastic site and has helped many deserving folks, including some great friends of mine. I wouldn't count it out of the production's future, but money is not what AXES needs right now. (Note to all: I will not reject money.) No, what AXES could use is a different kind of help. Let me explain.

This is Finn's room.

Yes, it's supposed to be depressing, but it shouldn't be boring. One movie poster isn't nearly enough to showcase Finn's blaxploitation obsession, so these walls need to be filled with some original, hand-crafted sight-gags.

As is the case with most things, these posters take a lot of time to create, and there is quite a bit of wall space. So really, what it has taken me a really long time to say is: We want other people to make funny movie posters so we don't have to.

If you'd like to join the ranks of "A Clockwork Black" and "Shaft Saves Christmas," either email us at axesofevilofficial@gmail.com, send a Facebook message, or utilize some other logical form of communication. We'll give you all the details. Anyone who wants to help out, (in addition to having their poster scotch-taped to Finn's wall), will also be featured here and get a special thanks in the credits.

Still Groovin'

For those keeping track, it's been three months since the last update. Just thought I'd bring attention to that.

Production hasn't stalled, but nothing too new or exciting has been going on. Sadly, AXES did not win the NYTVF Pilot Competition, but we are currently exploring a handful of other, more vague avenues that I'll hopefully get the chance to talk about later. Regardless, congrats to the finalists, though I'm sure they're all probably jerks and also cheaters.

But enough about those sellouts. There are more important, bigger congratulations in order, as our very own King Solomon, known by day as Erik Cheski, is engaged...

...to be married!

The happy punims. And to clarify, Erik is on tour with SOUTH PACIFIC, not the actual Navy.

 That's all, see you in three months.

Screening with an Audience

  This past Sunday, against the stiff competition of the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, the AXES OF EVIL pilot preview screened in front of a crowd of one solid dozen! Featuring the footage submitted to that pilot competition I've been droning on and on about, the screening was organized quickly, before AXES could possibly be eliminated from that pilot competition I've been droning on and on about.

I forgot to take pictures, but this was pretty much how it went down.

  Composed of AXES fans and members of the cast, the audience was a great group, and the response was indeed enthusiastic. Some highlights: "Congrats, it looks awesome!""So funny, can't wait to see what happens next." "I laughed my axe off!""Where's my credit?"

  Most gratifying was the flurry of unforced laughter throughout the nine-minute preview. It's tough to step back after spending an hour matching mouth movements to a joke you could have sworn was funny six months ago, but regardless of where AXES goes from here, there's no better measure of success than a reactive audience. That and money.

  In all seriousness, though, thank you to everyone who made it! Your laughter is why we're doing this in the first place. To those who couldn't make it, this won't be your last chance - there's definitely more to come. Much love.

Deadline Passed! (A Good Thing.)

It's done, it's over, we made it! The submission period for the NYTVFCCPC, (not an officially recognized acronym), has now officially ended. We've received confirmation that the AXES OF EVIL application has been received and that all materials are in order, so now that wonderful waiting game can begin. The 25 finalists will be announced sometime close to February 29th, but even if AXES isn't among them, it was great to have some sort of deadline to aim for, instead of just animating into an endless void.

Of course, there's still a bunch more work to be done, but now, after having this deadline looming over the production for about four months, I think it's time I went to sleep.

Until next time, good night everyone...

Official Logo (Great for T-Shirts)

And now, it is my great pleasure to present to you all:

The official possibly temporary but for now totally official logo for AXES OF EVIL!

I mean, it could always use more axes, but I thought we'd go for something a little more elegant. You know, because I take myself too seriously.

If you were directed here from facebook, this really isn't news - the logo being my profile picture and all - but there's more fun coming soon!

Initial Homestretch

Well, the aforementioned comedy pilot competition deadline is just over a week away, and the actual animation is finally done. 

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Now I just need to put on a little bit of sheen, assemble the entry materials, and of course, finalize the SOUND, courtesy of Axes co-creator Sean Brogan. I just thought I'd take a short break from working on this thing in order to provide a quick update, which I'm now realizing is not really a break. I should probably go to the bathroom or something.

Anyhoo, here are some more screen captures. Salivate away, and expect another update at the end of the month.

Deadline in Sight! (Good Thing?)

Well, since the last update was...

Oh, early October... wow, okay.

There's a reason for this apparent neglect, though, as we've been working very, very hard because we hope to enter AXES OF EVIL in the New York Television Festival Comedy Central Short Pilot Competition! The deadline is January 27th, requiring an 8-15 pilot presentation, and 8 minutes of animation, no matter how crappy, takes a long time. As of now, we have a little over 5, so with a month-and-a-half to go, we're in decent shape, but there's not really much time to slow down or proof-read blog entrees.

It's very exciting, though, as the winning pilot receives a development deal with Comedy Central! You can enter a sketch show, sitcom, animation - anything that would fit under the Comedy Central banner - but you shouldn't because we don't want any quality competition!

So don't.

Full-Frontal Nerdity

To those who are unaware (i.e. those who don't live with me), my average day is broken down as follows:

9 hours: Working for money/barrel-bottom scraping

2 hours (If I am lucky): Rotting in the subway

7 hours: This Axes thing

5 hours: Sleeping/Dreaming

1 hour: Eating/Bathing/Misc.

   Now that you know far too much about me, prepare for a little more. A few weeks ago, I used some "Misc. Time" to help direct a music video for good buddy and AXES OF EVIL voice-actor Joshua Desjardins, pictured below.

Bow-tie: Straight
Wearer: Not so much

  More recently, the video itself was unleashed upon the world, and has already made all of us very rich... in spirit or something. But yes, it's gotten some great responses, and even been featured on a few websites and blogs, including TV Addict and a meticulously detailed breakdown from FizzyPop. It's an unabashedly silly song and video, but it's also kind of an anthem of joy and pride and being yourself and there are lots of pretty colors, so watch it. I'm proud to have been involved.

Oh, also, the video itself:

Biggest Update Ever! (So Far!)

Get excited! As promised, an actual, fully-animated preview, in living color! Yes, this is the first cut of the  first scene of the first episode of the first... animated series starring a time-travelling King Solomon, at least as far as I know.

So, yes, without any more messing about, the video!

Don't forget, you can click the youtube icon for additional viewing options, like fullscreen n' stuff.

Someone please let me know if I can change the viewing settings here.

Keep in mind that this is not the ultimate final version, as there are a few little technical glitches and timing issues, as well as a lack of any sound effects or music. Nonetheless, it functions as a wonderful little preview for the madness and hilarity ahead.

Thanks for sticking around so far, and don't forget to tell all your friends, acquaintances, and co-workers!

Recording Complete

Great news: One phase among the multitude has been completed. After a rousing session earlier this week, all of the voices have been recorded! There for the occasion was another member of the AXES family, Matt Portman, who came all the way from the West Coast just to make sure everything went smoothly. Actually, he just happened to be in New York this week, but it was nonetheless great to have him. There were only two actors for this final round of recording, but jeepers did we ever have fun!

First, we had reigning "love-meister" Nate Chapman of Dateocracy fame as the Slumberjack...

Pending proposal for a live-action adaptation.

...and ABC Family heartthrob Zander Eckhouse in the role of God.

Seen here posing for a Windows XP background.

Both gave great performances, and really took the care to bring actual depth to their characters. I would like to take this opportunity to semi-publicly thank all those who have volunteered their time and talents to AXES thus far. Everyone, without exception, has given it their all, which will make my job much easier as I continue to animate this thing. With every session, I've been increasingly happy with my decision NOT to do all the voices myself. The next update, (hopefully) later this week, will be the BIGGEST EVER, so hang onto your modems!

Bible Comics!

Guess what? There's been progress.

   Last week, we successfully recorded even more voices, and there's just one more session on the way, most likely mid-September. In the meantime, there is kind of a lot of other work to be done, so I've begun some storyboards and - as referenced previously - actual animation!

   I may post some videos soon, but since posting pictures is far less complicated/labor-intensive, here are the completed storyboards for the opening scene, gloriously off-model. (Note to self: Make model sheet.)

As can see (if you do that whole "click and enlarge" thing), it is a very lovely recreation of everyone's favorite Old Testament romp. Now that I have it as a reference, I know that it will at least sort of work on screen. Only 1400 more drawings left before it's animated, so I'd better get moving.

Sunshine and Such

Still plugging away... backgrounds... storyboards... organizing the second and hopefully final recording session for next week. Speaking of which, a shout-out and thank you to Solar Film/Video Productions for providing AXES with recording facilities. Quality studios are hard to come by, and they're usually super expensive, so I must express my appreciation to owner/president/oddity Eric Lau. Also, filmmaker friends, if you're in the NYC area and are looking to improve your production chops, I oh-so-shamelessly must point you to Eric's monthly lighting workshop. He's done some seminars on behalf of Apple (COMPUTERS!), had Oscar-nominated participants, and I'm seriously done plugging now.

  With the nod to Solar behind us, I feel it's time to go in the complete opposite direction and post something with a flagrant lack of sun, so here it is: the tower of the Electrocutioner.

Maybe some day I'll have something to show besides backgrounds, like possibly animation or something. You won't want to miss it!

Sound Studio Success!

What a week! The first recording session for Axes is over! Lots of fun, fantastic cast, but I'm glad to be through it. With production ramping up, there may be some changes to this here blog, which might mean fewer updates, but rest assured: progress is happening. And now, as a partial non-sequitur, here's a poster from Finn's room. Is there anyone out there who would NOT want to see this movie?

Our Neo-Pop Phase? Something Like That.

   I was just taking a trip down memory lane, (or the online equivalent), and came across this old gem. Although it's not directly related to AXES OF EVIL, it does mark the first animated collaborative effort of the AXES team, (that is: the creative team, not the characters). It's a bit superfluous, but given the success of a certain movie this past week, it's at least sort of relevant. Also, I have nothing interesting to say about production right now. How disconcerting.

Mini-Update: Evening in Harlem

Although I learned last time that "Mini-Update" results in "Mini-Interest," there hasn't been a lot of progress this weekend other than additional casting and artwork, (exciting, but more of the same). Eagle-eyed viewers might have noticed some Christmas signage within the previously posted butcher shop background, but been confused by the lack of Christmas weather. This update remedies that baffling conundrum, and showcases the versatility of these backgrounds. Not only is the winter setting more clear, but it's also nighttime!

Because we wanted to make the sight gags harder to spot.

Admittedly, this is a baby-step. I won't be posting every single tiny bit of artwork associated with Axes in the future, but these backgrounds are the brunt of production right now. I'm also learning a lot about both Photoshop and After Effects, so hooray for career-related skill development!

Friendship, Love, and Meat

  Amazingly enough, we actually got some responses to our casting call, and it looks like we may be on track to record within the next two weeks. Don't let that discourage you or your thespian comrades from e-mailing us, though, as there are still some choice parts remaining. There's still a chance to join our talented cast.

  Speaking of our talented cast, (segue alert!), our very own Nate Chapman has just unleashed his own project into an unsuspecting world. Since he's been working so darn hard, and it's turning out really incredible, here's a link to Dateocracy! As the host, Nate explains the concept pretty succinctly, so I won't overdo it here, but it's a more-than-nifty online dating show with a bunch of fun, interactive twists. Go support Nate and Dateocracy with your participation!

  Back to Axes, though, because that's really why we're all here, (unless you are one of the many who got here by mistake). All you media-lovers may now sink your teeth into this freeze-frame worthy background, unless you're a vegetarian, in which case you may silently disapprove.

  Don't forget to click the picture in order to get a full-size view. There are a lot of mediocre sight gags and details, and five seconds of eventual screentime won't justify the thought and work put into them. Okay, that's all for now. You have our permission to have a good weekend.