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!

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.

Make a Choice: Contribute Your Voice

   The script should be completely finished by the end of this week, so we are about to enter a new phase of production: VOICEOVER RECORDING. We already have a talented handful of performers confirmed, but there are still a few parts, both major and minor, that still need to be cast. We have super-professional recording facilities available as well, so it won't be long before we have an aurally transcendent vocal track. In the meantime, we've got this blog space, so why not use it to extend a casting call to our biggest fans!?

   If you or anyone you know, (based in either the New York or Los Angeles areas), are interested in participating, please send an email expressing enthusiasm to axesofevilofficial@gmail.com, subject line: CASTING. We've got characters of all ages, genders, and nationalities, so even if there's no place for you in the pilot, who knows who we'll need down the line. Résumés and links to reels are encouraged, but not necessary. Headshots... significantly less necessary, but who doesn't like pictures?

   Speaking of pictures, what would these updates be without some sort of visual stimulation? Thus, here is a forest floor background, which will be integrated into the previously posted Canadian vista shot. In fact, it already has! We'll be sure to post it once some additional elements have been added.

(Our) First Animation Test Video Ever!!!

   This past week has seen quite a bit of action for us, production-wise. We've had an acceptably productive pair of script meetings, begun to solidify our marketing (i.e. awareness) strategy out west, and even managed to churn out the following animation test, featuring the Slumberjack's home turf.

   So behold, as we start with this masterful sketch:

which leads to this delightful rendering:


and then, finally, this video composite:

  Once again, this is just a test, so there are a couple of rough edges to iron out. The pink void that takes up the entire second half will be replaced with a background of the forest floor, followed by fighting and frolicking, we promise. Keep those modems running, there's more to come.

Solomon's Palace

   Here's an itty-bitty little behind-the-scenes update for you. A work-in-progress of our very first background from Solomon's impressive palace. It's a bit sterile, could use some more furniture, and the lighting effects are incomplete, but this is essentially the style we're going for.

Note: Solomon does not reflect final animation design. It's just a silly drawing.

   There are many reasons we started this production blog. The first and most obvious is to spread the word and make people care about this thing that already means a lot to us. Second, it keeps us accountable if we have an audience clamoring for, or at least curious about, more updates. Third - and this is theoretically where it gets fun - we want feedback.

   If you have an opinion about any aspect of the show, share it. Want to discuss your favorite character? Have a question about our production techniques? Think you could make a better background and have time on your hands or, better yet, own a television network and don't know how to fill up all those pesky timeslots?! Tell us. Use that comments button. Be our friend! It would be wonderful to have a community of AXES OF EVIL aficionados, and might even make the world a more magical place.

   Just remember, we weren't being facetious in our inaugural first update: we want this to be a happy, fun, and safe place. Criticism is welcome, but please be aware that this past season of American Idol has provided everyone's tear-ducts with enough of a workout.