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 #5: The Electrocutioner

Your wait is over, eager readers, as the final member of the team is revealed!

The Electrocutioner (Anonymous Finch)

Age: 36

Plucked from: London, England, 1240 AD

   During the height of his career, Anonymous was a living legend as a killing machine, having essentially picked up where the plague left off. He was so well-respected that all future executioners would take on his moniker as a tribute. In short, life was good for Anonymous, until one fateful night, when he was struck by lightning during a routine execution. Interpreting it as an act of God, a newly-recovered Anonymous adopted the attitude that it was not his place to take lives. Not only was he guilt-ridden over beating out smallpox in London's death poll, but he was also out of a job, so he left.

   Next came a pilgrimage, the discovery of his electric powers, me revealing the plot of the second episode, and Solomon. As part of the team, Anonymous is thankful to have a noble purpose in life, but his attempts at pacifism are tragic failures. Here's a tip: Don't let this man walk your dog.

   And that's it for the team, but that doesn't mean the fun's over. There's been plenty going on behind-the-scenes, so check back real soon.

Mini-Update: It's Good to be the King (We Assume)

   Oh, goodie! The crew just had a pleasant and productive bicoastal meeting. More on that later, but I was just so darn excited I thought we could all use a nice little update. Below is simply a test, combining the soon-to-be animated characters and backgrounds within Adobe Flash. Eventually, we'll get AfterEffects involved and there will be some really cool shading and textures and movement and sound and PASSION AND ENERGY AND FIRE!!...

   ... but this actually looks pretty decent for now.

Clearly ecstatic to be involved.

Soon, we shall introduce the final member of the team, but try not to let the anticipation keep you awake.

Character Introduction #4: Slaughterhouse Jive

Now this is where things get weird. Again.

Slaughterhouse Jive (Finian "Finn" Mathers)

Age: 19

Plucked from: New York, United States, 1982 AD

   Born a poor white child in Harlem, NYC, young Finn grew up enamored with African American culture, a longing outsider within his own neighborhood. Actually, he was more enamored with African American pop culture, forming his perception not from his surrounding reality, but instead from blaxploitation classics, early hip-hop, and stage acts. Stereotypes were increasingly enforced and accepted with everything he saw, from early minstrel shows to cutting-edge stand-up.

   By age thirteen, Finn was a good-natured, but wildly misinformed "afrophile." Alienated by both his schoolmates and his sexaholic single mother, Finn was able to secure a job at a butcher shop. Then, after eating a radioactive Christmas ham given to him by his boss, his melanin output increased tenfold and he became, in a word, black. Also, he got some superpowers or something.

   So yes, we agree that Finn is a bizarre, somewhat controversial character, but bear with us here. Finn isn't simply a misguided twist on the "token black" teammate so prevalent in today's entertainment. We of course plan to use him as a vessel in which to explore a number of other sociopolitical themes, an axe-wielding John Howard Griffin, if you will. Or maybe our pilot will get picked up by a wary network, and we'll be forced to change Finn into a genuinely African political activist named Malcolm Axe. Sigh... one can dream.

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.

Character Introduction #3: Nurse Hatchet

Oh, boy! It's another character, and she's a lady!

 

Nurse Leslie "Hot Lips" Hatchet

Age: 32

Plucked from: Melbourne, Australia, 1932 AD

   First thing's first: Leslie is borderline psychotic. After growing up on her family's koala farm and spending much of her childhood as a medic for the fuzzy little guys, she decided to leave home for Melbourne and become a fighter in the city's underground women's boxing league. For years, Leslie thrived in the ring, but after some dude at a costume party told her how hot she looked in her nurse outfit, she realized her fate was sealed within the world of medicine.

  Then came World War I, and Leslie proved herself an outstanding nurse. She didn't lose a single patient, including a handful that had been declared legally dead by the time they made it to her tent. Following a particularly brutal battle, Leslie found that all of her scalpels were in use, and successfully operated on a soldier using a fire axe. (To be clear, this was not an amputation, but a stress-fueled bout of appendicitis.)

   After the war, she was easily able to find a job at a hospital, but she soon grew dissatisfied with effortlessly saving people's lives. In order to satisfy her blood lust, she started to let a few of the most despicable of her patients die. Essentially, she got her kicks from playing God. Enter Solomon.

   Among the team, she probably has the most outgoing personality. In other words, she scares the shit out of everyone. After all, she's been exposed to violence and injury all her life, and has been completely hardened to it. Actually, she kind of likes it. A lot. Almost as much as we like her!

  Up next: I haven't planned that far ahead. Enjoy your barbecues and fireworks tomorrow, fellow Americans. Non-fellow Americans, enjoy your regular, unworthy-of-celebration Monday.