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...

Initial Homestretch

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

!

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.

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!

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.

Character Introduction #1: The Slumberjack

   Plucked from various times and places in order to fulfill their collective destiny, our heroes are ready for their introduction! Actually, just one is. We have to space these updates out. Since you've already gotten a taste of King Solomon, let's start with someone a little bit less familiar.

The Slumberjack (Louis LeBlanc)

Age: 36

Plucked From: Ontario, Canada, 2079 AD

   Before becoming a superhero, Louis was a mere lumberjack-turned-environmentalist, protesting against the mistreatment of his arboreal neighbors. Without giving too much away, that career went south, and Louis found himself living in a Canada far removed from the idyllic, syrup-guzzling nation we know today.

   One night soon thereafter, Louis was blessed with the power to induce narcoleptic tendencies in his foes, a power he received in a dream. Thus, the newly-christened Slumberjack became a beacon of hope; a Canadian beacon, if you will. Alongside his sidekick/mascot, the Slumberjackrabbit, Louis has had enough adventures to provide fodder for his own spin-off series, but we're getting waaaaay ahead of ourselves. What's important to note, though, is that there was no shortage of activity for the Slumberjack, and he developed an unfortunate addiction to crystal meth in a foolhardy attempt to stay wired and fight crime 24/7.

   Once he joins Solomon's team, he provides a near-endless source of joviality and brute strength, but traveling through time causes him to crash hard. He's a lovable guy, but his methamphetamine-fueled buffoonery only serves our show's ultimate message: DRUGS ARE BAD, KIDS!

  Alright, that's a fair enough little biography. Stay tuned for more real soon.