This is the full version of the drawing that was used for my interview in the Register. Also a useful height reference for me. Watch me disregard it in every ensuing drawing and shot for the next several years.

What’s this? Why, could it be that it’s the opening shot of the first episode of a certain upcoming cartoon? It could. In fact, one might even say that that’s what it is. And look, it’s in color! The cartoon is probably going to be in flat color, or at the very most cel shading, but trust me, it’ll be pretty. Don’t worry.

Subcategory: drawing. These are the frames I have done. There are 14 of them. They are of George getting stuck in a door and me having a personal crisis over Bri’s hair everything.

Secondly, merchandise. Remember that thing I came up with three months ago, with the reduced cost t-shirts? I don’t think it’s gonna work. I’m sorry, guys. The current method doesn’t work at all, I’m at a complete loss as to how else I could do it, and since the t-shirts aren’t something of any special importance to me in general, I’m discontinuing the idea for now. To be absolutely clear, though, THERE ARE STILL SHIRTS and you can still buy them and I’ll still be designing more in the future. The only difference is that they’re available at Skreened, which is, in reality, absolutely no change at all. They’re pretty awesome quality, too. Hopefully, later on in my career, I’ll be able to work out something that satisfies my Thoreau-ian need for independence.

Which makes it a prime time to unveil that I’m working on a cartoon. Should I have said that first?

Anyway, NaCaScriMo. I’m doing more than scripting, or even storyboarding and scripting, as I get antsy if I try to go more than a few days without attempting to make something just for its visual value, but I thought NaCaScriStoAndAnMo was just a bit too far from the original title. Also I’m not completely sure how that would be pronounced.

So. NaCaScriMo. I’ve made up the system based on zero experience with NaNo and barely any more with creating a complete animation, so we’ll see if I make it through the month without an emotional breakdown. The system is as follows:

6 “points” worth of work a day, which will amount to 180 at the end of the month, with a starting frame equaling 6 points, a written idea equaling 3, a storyboard panel equaling 2, and each frame equaling 1.

When I think about actually doing that much work in a day, every day for a month, I feel a little faint, but NaNo is supposed to almost kill the participants, isn’t it? If I worked according to my actual confirmed capacity, there would be no challenge. Anyway, I’ll still be uploading things, but they may be, you know, haphazard collections of frames and bits of writing. I’ll try my best for you, though. I feel terrible when I don’t. Really, a little bit of me aches, like I’m cheating on you.

“Well, gentlemen, would you look at the time, I should really be going, so if you’ll just make way, I’ll be out of your, uh, fuzz.”

And later:

“Yeah, so anyway, I’m pretty sure I’m their prisoner now.”

Moments from now:

“KREE”

“SWEET MOTHER OF GOD.”

-

This was meant to have a lot more to it (it was also meant to be on time) but, well, here.

Oh, and the owl slug’s back. And its design has changed. It may be showing up in animated form sometime soon, which means drawing quite a lot of it, so I figured I may as well introduce the carpel tunnel-lite version now.

“Boo.”

-

So what I have for you today is a little different than normal. I made a gif!

Each frame was drawn by hand, which is why it gets wonky near the end and looks as if the Ghost Monkey has instantaneously shot forward and Marcus has bounced off him, even though Ghost Monkey is a ghost and therefore not solid. I miscalculated where Marcus and Ghost Monkey were supposed to be, I think, and then carried that mistake through the proceeding frames. There’s also a few less concrete issues, like the speed at which Marcus falls and his fairly wooden posture throughout the fall.

But yeah, moving picture. I have successfully animated something! Achievement unlocked!

First, we have some of my friends from GIA: Jake,

Ren,

Tony,

And Megan, the recipient of the letter herself.

After that, I rambled sappily about the anniversary of Radio Trees for a bit, so we have everyone’s favorite trio.

Finally, I’m being Dipper Pines from Gravity Falls this year for Halloween, so I drew him/me as him.

More to come, don’t worry. It’s just that there’s quite a lot of measuring going on with that other thing I’m working on.

The Ghost Monkey makes George nervous.

Most things make George nervous.

Marcus doesn’t like the Ghost Monkey.

EXT.  FOREST – LATE MORNING

A large, sentient, pink blob (GEORGE) moves through a shaded forest. He has some snails and an anthropomorphic bee (MARCUS) on his back. Behind them is a floating, skeletal monkey head (GHOST MONKEY). The GHOST MONKEY speaks in monotone and seems to believe if he follows them around long enough, he’ll succeed in scaring them, or at least kill a few hours. MARCUS is clearly annoyed, and has resorted to simply ignoring the GHOST MONKEY. GEORGE, as always, looks worried for his own safety.

wide shot

GHOST MONKEY

Ooo, I’m a ghoooost…

MARCUS

I am ignoring you.

GHOST MONKEY floats down toward George.

GHOST MONKEY

BOO!

GEORGE makes a “meep” noise, speeds up.

close-up on GEORGE, freeze frame

NARRATOR

This is George.

action resumes, MARCUS falls off GEORGE as GEORGE “runs”

close-up on MARCUS on ground, freeze frame

NARRATOR

This is Marcus.

action resumes, MARCUS looks up at GHOST MONKEY

MARCUS

Now look what you did.

close-up on GHOST MONKEY

GHOST MONKEY

Are you scaaaared?

freeze frame

NARRATOR

This is the Ghost Monkey.

action resumes

medium shot of GEORGE, now fairly far away, still “running”

MARCUS

NO. I’M NOT.

[opening credits/theme song]

EXT.  SHIP ON A LARGE LAKE – AFTERNOON

MARCUS and a human girl (BRI) dressed as a gladiator on a boat, BRI leaning against the steering wheel, MARCUS looking over the edge next to her. It’s pretty clear from the way they talk that they spend a lot of time together. There’s an air of laziness to their conversation, which we come into with no context, and in the middle.

BRI

Well, yes, but I’ve never seen a possum, so–

A giant creature with the upper body of an owl and the lower half of a slug (OWL SLUG) descends upon the boat and perches on the mast, BRI looks up at it.

BRI

Oh no.

close up on Bri, freeze frame

NARRATOR

This is Bri.

action resumes

OWL SLUG

KREE!

MARCUS looks cautiously over at BRI.

MARCUS

What’s that?

BRI

It’s been following me around for a week. I don’t know how to get rid of it.

MARCUS

And you’re still alive?

BRI

I haven’t been attacked yet. I think maybe it’s waiting.

BRI walks toward the mast the OWL SLUG is perched on and yells at it, waving her arms as she speaks.

BRI

Hey! You! Go away, get out of here!

OWL SLUG blinks

BRI

Go on, shoo!

OWL SLUG doesn’t respond

BRI yells in frustration, takes a deep breath

BRI

Go. Away. I do not have food. I will not be food. This is the middle of a lake.

OWL SLUG

KREE!

BRI and MARCUS immediately cower

OWL SLUG takes off

MARCUS straightens up, BRI opens one eye and begins to lower her arms

MARCUS

Hey, it lef–

OWL SLUG (in distance)

KREE!

BRI and MARCUS flinch

EXT.  FIELD – AFTERNOON

MARCUS, GEORGE, and BRI are in a field. MARCUS is lying down while BRI sits with her arms around her knees. They’re trying unsuccessfully to comfort GEORGE.

BRI

You know, he’s really not all that scary. He’s just a monkey.

MARCUS

Not even. He’s a dead monkey. He can’t even touch you.

BRI turns to MARCUS, getting momentarily distracted by ghost biology.

BRI

Well, he can, like, pass through you. And make you feel all cold.

GEORGE shivers. MARCUS gives BRI a meaningful look.

BRI

…But he can’t touch you. Right.

MARCUS

Really, he’s no harm, and he’s just bored.

BRI

You know, I’m pretty sure George is the only one to ever be scared by the Ghost Monkey.

MARCUS

Probably.

BRI stands up and faces GEORGE.

BRI

Okay, do you want me to teach you how to throw a punch or something?

GEORGE and BRI look down at his blobby form with no proper appendages.

BRI

Right.

BRI studies GEORGE for a minute, one hand cupping the other elbow, and the other hand supporting her chin.

BRI

Geez, you’re pretty much defenseless, huh?

MARCUS

Bri!

BRI

Sorry. I guess you could roll over people, right?

MARCUS

You know, he could. See? You don’t need to be afraid. You’re bigger than everybody else, and we’ve finally figured out a way to use–

The OWL SLUG lands several yards away from them in the field, but still clearly there for BRI. BRI looks shaken.

MARCUS

Bri…

BRI

Not again. Okay. Back to the house. Okay?

MARCUS

Bri?

BRI grabs MARCUS by the wrist and jumps on GEORGE’s back.

BRI

Hyah!

GEORGE starts “running,” MARCUS and BRI hold on to his back.

INT.  BRI’S HOUSE – AFTERNOON

MARCUS, BRI, and GEORGE are in BRI’s house, surrounded by food from the grocery store, watching television. BRI is eating a banana. Outside, unseen, the OWL SLUG has returned. The GHOST MONKEY is looking in through the window.

GHOST MONKEY

Ooooo….

MARCUS

We’re not letting you in.

BRI

Are there any chips left?

OWL SLUG

KREE!

everyone flinches, GEORGE hides behind BRI’s armchair

MARCUS

Okay, that’s it. We have been in here for four days. You are talking to the owl slug.

MARCUS drags BRI toward the front door.

BRI

But…

MARCUS continues steering her out and towards the telephone wire the OWL SLUG has landed on, still holding the banana.

OUTSIDE

BRI

This is ridiculous.

MARCUS

Give it a try, there’s nothing to lose, right?

BRI

Fine.

BRI looks up at the OWL SLUG. Behind her, GEORGE is visible, coming timidly out of the house.

BRI

Hi.

OWL SLUG blinks.

BRI

Could you please leave? You’re really loud and distracting, and I don’t know what you actually want.

OWL SLUG does not react.

BRI

Would you leave if I gave you this banana?

OWL SLUG blinks again, focuses on the banana.

BRI slowly steps toward the OWL SLUG and shakily holds the banana up to it.

OWL SLUG suddenly gobbles up banana, causing BRI to recoil, then screeches again and takes off.

MARCUS

See?

OWL SLUG (in distance)

KREE!

All flinch. A few moments of silence pass.

MARCUS

It actually worked.

BRI

Yeah, I guess so.

MARCUS, BRI, and GEORGE look around, a little surprised at their apparent victory. GEORGE turns tentatively to the GHOST MONKEY, who has followed them around to the front of the house. A moment passes as GEORGE seems to consider something.

GEORGE

Meep.

The GHOST MONKEY is not intimidated. GEORGE screws his eyes shut and attempts to somehow displace the GHOST MONKEY. Instead, he passes through him, completely failing to in any way remove the GHOST MONKEY and only harming himself. He shudders at the cold sensation and seems to give up again.

FADE OUT

The end! I’ll return in two weeks, hopefully with artistic goodies for you. Until then… reread the pilot? Oh, and maybe tell me what you thought. That’d be helpful.

And just as she’s finally drifting off to sleep, a giant, animalistic shriek all too close shocks her awake with the sort of petrifying panic she’s come to associate with waking up.

A gigantic owl with a …slug’s? lower half. (Why are the mutants always so big? How is the streetlamp even holding its weight?) It doesn’t seem to care that she’s there and, god, she isn’t even scared, either. Just annoyed.

Yeah. The apocalypse thing is getting old.

–

Hoh god this is late. Sorry about that. But it’s finally happened: a colored version of the owl-slug that I actually like. It occurs to me that I finished the original drawing around this time last year. I’d spent weeks working on it, drawing rows and rows of what turned out to be biologically inaccurate feathers, doing the pattern on the right wing, repositioning the head, working out the kinks in the flow of the feathers around the eyes. I even put three little stripes (not included in the colored version because it would have given me carpel tunnel) on every single feather. It was that wonderful sort of drawing that never goes wrong and never feels rushed, I just worked on little bits of it when I could, and eventually it was finished. I remember that for days after I finally decided it was done, I carried it around in my backpack (as I did all my drawings, to be fair) and pulled it out to show anyone who would look. Oh, those days before I discovered the internet.

I really didn’t mean for this to get so sunlighty, but, god, I just love sunlight so much. Also, when I first drew it, I wanted it to be a three panel comic (one for Bri sleeping on the bench while the owl-slug lands silently on the streetlamp, one for the wakeup call, and one for her realizing it’s just another gigantic, indifferent mutant and calming down) but by the time I finished this, I realized there was no way I could draw the owl-slug again on that scale.

So. Yeah. Here. I feel like I should save this for some special occasion (anniversary, 1000th view, etc.), but I’m awful at withholding awesome stuff.

Oh, sidebar: guess who’s getting a DeviantArt account? I was talking to my friend, Sallie, and she suggested it, and I told her she was a genius and then a couple minutes later my phone died and hung up on her and I couldn’t call her back. So… Sorry, Sallie. Thank you for being a genius. Anyway, you can see the profile here, although the only big difference will be that you can buy prints over there, and you can see more of my work over here. If you’ve got an account, though, you should definitely say hi.