NOVEL SIMPLE 94. Titled titles.
What would be the most suitable TV series for a television channel? The programming must have enough content for this channel to run 24 hours a day. Achieving this is possible with some milestone series that grab people's attention. At times, a great series can even have double programming in the morning and in the evenings, the kind that can create a widespread fan following wherever they are aired. "Dexter's Laboratory" is one of those great series any company would wish to have. Therefore, his project in his free time is the "Dexter" series. However, he understands that the company's focus should not be on series production, and it's much better to concentrate on deliverable films.
The work on a movie can be quite laborious and challenging due to the quality required frame by frame. In a way, if you work independently, making a movie can yield better returns on your time investment.
Among the selection of movies, "Hercules" may be the one with the best opportunity. Some design challenges may arise, but there's no doubt that everything can be solved with Pixar's Caps program.
The Carson family's van entered the luxury comics factory compound.
-Are you happy with your new phone, son? - Thomas asked.
Seeing his son playing with the phone, the programming was poor and meager, but it was surely the latest in technology at that time.
-It's an unnecessary expense, Father. - Billy said, holding a large phone with limited functionality.
-I hope you'll use it during those curious adventures I never thought you'd enjoy. - Thomas said, smiling. He found it good to scold his son for his misbehavior.
-Are you calling me a party pooper? - Billy said, playing along with his father's banter.
-You misinterpret my thoughts. I'd call it mature. - Thomas said, adjusting his suit and stepping out of the car alongside Billy. The factory was deserted, even more so than expected for a Sunday. Near the entrance, there was Raimon's old junker.
-Thank you, Father. - Billy said.
The chill on the first floor of the Lux Comics factory is almost natural. Billy has grown accustomed to the smell of paper and the sight of workers scurrying about, moving from one place to another. This time, the production was in a state of passivity, with only a few workers printing comics.
The series from Lux Comics ranges from issue 66 of Slam Dunk, issue 67 of Ghost Report/Yu Yu Hakusho, and issue 14 of Neon Genesis Evangelion. In the United States, the continuity of these franchises has given them a certain popularity, coupled with the unique charm of the artwork. It's important to highlight the application of innovative techniques that even now comic artists secretly praise.
-Billy, how's everything going? - Raimon asked, dressed in a Spider-Man hoodie and slippers. In his right hand, he held a bowl of gummies, chocolates, and other candies.
-I didn't think you worked on Sundays. - Billy said, raising an eyebrow at Raimon's curious appearance.
-I don't work on Sundays. I come because I have nothing better to do, and I make the most of the day here. - Raimon said.
-Like what? - Billy asked.
-Well, beating the high score on the arcade games. I've gained some skills that I've been practicing for the past two weekends, and of course, making money for the company. - Raimon said.
The company had a total of six video game machines, including the most popular one among the company's employees, Pac-Man. The game that even Anne dares to play sometimes when she's waiting for Billy, who often draws late into the night.
-I assume all this comes after checking the accounts. - Thomas said.
-Of course, Mr. Carson, I even handle the tasks that Miss Anne doesn't like to do. - Raimon said nervously.
The Carson bosses were quite strict. Raimon thought.
-It's good to hear that. You're the one in charge of the little investment fund we have in hand. - Thomas said.
-I wouldn't call it little, but yes, I handle that, Mr. Carson, and I review the accounts with Jack, Mr. Murphy, and Miss Anne as well. I also assist in the financial analysis of the franchises and negotiate with the banks. - Raimon said, proudly thumping his chest.
-You never cease to amaze me. - Thomas said.
-Thanks, boss. I think I'll head to the game room. Ahhh, do you guys want some gummies? - Raimon said.
-Thanks, Raimon, but we just had lunch. - Billy said.
-Excuse me. - Raimon said, fleeing in a hurry. Deep down, he felt they would give him more work.
-He's quite the character. But nobody in the company denies his talent. One of the top graduates from Stanford University, with an average above 9.0, and recommendation letters from his professors. It's just his eccentricity that gives everyone the creeps. - Thomas said.
-I like his eccentricity. - Billy said.
-Come, you have something to show me. Both Anne and me. - Thomas said.
-Of course, I'll show you, I've only been able to work on some general tasks, but I already have something. - Billy said.
-Your new animation series? - Thomas asked.
-Well, it's just a concept for a 2D film I want to make. Remember the Hercules comic? They're good, but I think a movie could be a game-changer for the company. - Billy said.
-I thought you were going to make a series. - Thomas said.
-I tried for a while, but a series is a long and tortuous process. A movie might be more suitable for me. But I do plan on a series, an interesting one, eventually. - Billy said.
-I haven't read the Hercules comic, son. - Thomas said.
-I've made some sketches so far. I've been working on the backgrounds on acetate to improve the image quality, using some tricks I learned from Hanna-Barbera. And, well, I'm still exploring Pixar's Caps system. They sold a rather interesting version to Disney, but with the new expenses, the program has made a qualitative leap in quality. John Lasseter teaches me a bit, and his students also share some insights. - Billy said.
The room was filled with several acetate sheets painted with tempera, some tracings on a light table.
-Look at this scene. - Billy said.
It was the introductory scene of Hercules, featuring Greek mythology from the time when the Titans ruled the world, imprisoned in the depths of Tartarus by the women from the jar. The shots were custom-made, and the 20-second reproduction design was quite satisfying.
-It's interesting to venture into the world of animation, as long as you don't neglect your other responsibilities. - Thomas said.
-Father, what matters is what we create now. Did you like it? - Billy asked.
-Of course, it's an impressive drawing. - Thomas said.
-Good, this is what I want to create. For now, we only have two floors in use at the company. We can use the third and fourth floors to create our animation studio. Initially, my idea is to work alone until later on when hiring a few artists allows us to produce a larger series. - Billy said.
-What do you think, Anne? - Billy asked.
-As long as the investment isn't too significant, creating a series isn't that complicated. Obtaining the programs from Pixar and buying the necessary equipment is a straightforward task. Now we need to consider many other issues like dubbing, music, direction, and editing rooms, which can be more costly. As long as production can be kept at a minimum viable level, it's doable. - Anne said.
-Let's start preparing the upper floors. The fourth floor is the smallest. A large production studio and a small one could eventually be created, but building one right now can't be determined by a quick calculation. - Thomas said.
-We'll inquire with Pixar. - Anne said.
-Yes, that might be the smartest move. - Thomas agreed.
-Since you've decided, here's another project I'm working on: Dexter's Laboratory. I'm adding a cartoonish preference to the aesthetics. - Billy said, showing a short clip of a young boy with orange hair in a white suit and a girl in something resembling a ballet outfit behind him.
Dexter's shorts are each 7 minutes long, making it easy to work on the series. But even if I were to create 30 episodes on my own, I can't pitch the series to Cartoon Network; they've left a lot to be desired. It's much easier to try with a movie. - Billy explained.
....