Animation Pitch

(this project might actually have been chronologically before the character/space exrecises, but eh)

In Production Process, we had to create a mock animation pitch to a network. My group and I were assigned Cartoon Network, so we decided to pitch to their subsidiary, "Adult Swim." I was the team leader, art director, and co-character designer. The idea we came up with was "Wasteland University," an animated comedy about college in the post-apocalypse. Here's the show's "Bible," reposted for your viewing/reading pleasure:

Introduction
Only two things are known to have the tenacity to survive an apocalypse: cockroaches and college. In a world devastated by several such society-ending catastrophes, several small colleges are scattered throughout what’s left of the earth. One of these is Wasteland University. From all around the world (or what’s left of it) young adults travel to Wasteland University in hopes of picking up a trade that can lead them to a better life. That, or simply to have a few good years while they can. Regardless of their intention, Wasteland University is a shining beacon of hope and adventure to an exhausted planet.

Characters
Eric: After a nuclear winter set in, no one in Canada really seemed to notice. However, tourists stopped visiting and Canada’s government collapsed. What was left of the citizens took up jobs farming in central communes as a means to scrape by. Eric was part of such a family. After living a basic life for most of teens, Eric was immensely surprised on his 18th birthday to learn that his parents had saved up enough money and resources for him to make the journey to Wasteland University, the closest University to them. After loading the family’s Volvo with his things and then hitching the Volvo to the family’s donkey, Eric promised his parents he’d make a new life for himself and be someone, somebody that could bring sense back to the world. However, Eric hasn’t a clue what he wants to do and is currently undecided, He’ll decide someday, he swears.

Naros: After the ice caps melted, Mexico, Texas, and Southern Florida were completely flooded. However, civilization survived by means of remote floating atolls in which a small community could thrive off the sea. However, after living so long out on a remote island left to themselves, distant cousins soon become immediate cousins and, well, certain irregularities begin to appear. Naros is the latest batch of children born to one such atoll, and is sporting the latest developments. Naros has webbed feet, hands, and gills. Shocked at this state of existence, Naros’ parents cast him out in search of more refreshing waters, namely that of a separate gene pool. Naros swam until he eventually reached the shore of a larger land-mass, and wandered for days. He eventually found himself on the doorstep of Wasteland University. Although he’s enrolled in classes, he has his eyes on other sights: the ladies. However, he’ll need the best of luck in picking them up, as he only speaks Spanish. Chicks dig accents, though. And webbed limbs too, right?

Erma: Erma and her family lived quite peacefully in Melbourne, Australia… that is until a nuclear strike in China caused the tectonic plates to shift, sending the Australian continent in several directions. While they drifted across the ocean to parts unknown, a savage impromptu government was set up by biker gangs, dividing the already-split land-mass into territories. Always in search of the fuel for their motorcycles, wars were commonplace. Erma adapted quickly and fought for her life on a daily basis. After many years of drifting, Erma’s little piece of the ol’ Outback nestled itself onto a larger, unknown landmass. Once the gangs left in search of better things, Erma ventured out herself. Being an orphan, she had little choice. Eventually, she came across Wasteland University. Being the only source of stability in her life, Erma attends WU although she has a hard time adjusting to a schedule of classes, instead sticking to her old ways of patrolling the streets for fuel.

Red/John: Friends since birth, Red and John always looked out for eachother. John, the oversized African-American, and Red, the quick-thinking white kid. As they grow up they grew inseparable, eventually proving themselves on the football field as a phenomenal Quarterback/Block combo that led their local High School to a series of undefeated streaks. After a belated nuclear blast during a football game in an already-post-apocalyptic world, Red and John awoke to find themselves quite literally joined together. However, being BFF’s they just laughed it off and went on their merry way. As anarchy spread across the globe, Red and John’s combined talents of quick-thinking and brute force brought them many a victory in defending their hometown. Hearing of their skills, Wasteland U enlisted them in their own “Football Team,” which is used for protecting the campus’ land from invaders seeking to conquer more territory. Despite their deformity, Red and John are quite happy with their new bond. They’ve found themselves to be quite the success with the ladies… after all, two is better than one, if you catch my drift.

Here's a cast pic, for size reference:



Finally, here's three episodes (out of 10) that we came up with:

101: Pilot "Noobie First Years"
Today is Eric's Orientation. Jostled and pranked on by other students, gaping at all the strange people, unable to find the important places on campus, he's the only "normal" person on campus as well as the only one to seem surprised at the oddities that the Apocalypse has rendered on the world and humanity.

106: “MAH: Mututally Assured Homecoming”
Homecoming. Parade, football game, banquet, everyone has a part (something to do) except Eric. While at the same time Wasteland U Intelligence gives a report that the rival school is planning a covert attack to vandalize their mascot. With this information the school decides to launch a preemptive nuclear attack of their own. Half the school wants to, the other half doesn’t. Eric sees this as his opportunity to play peacemaker.

110: “Spring Breaking Point”
Party at the end of the world! It’s spring break and the whole gang is going to Ft. Lauderdale…or what’s left of it! The Atlantic Ocean is gone; all that’s left is a crater with a diameter from West Palm to Miami. Everyone just wants to have fun, but after a massive earthquake the city is destroyed again and they’ll need the help of Pike (a Snake Plissken wanna-be) to Escape from Spring Break. Along the way Eric falls in love with a replicant (Blade Runner).

... and this was all for a mock animation pitch.

(©Us 2006)