Thoth...

Mister Six, whom all the girls

22:10 / 29.03.04

first run, might do something completely different, thought you might like to hear...

>> thoth (mp3)

01:21 / 30.03.04

Pretty amazing. I'm hoping Impulsivelad considers Zebra (www.zebramag.com) hosting Thoth Boy, the soundtrack is quite trippy and nice, too.

02:45 / 30.03.04

Schmee- So far so perfect! I love the "Egyptian" element to the music... and it is trippy in the best way. Fantastic job.

Mr. Six- Since I've been working with Thoth Boy for a while now it was all before this Zebra stuff. My and my artist are producing mini comics of the project (in a much more cartoony and superheroy style than the main Thoth Boy comic) as a promo. And I'll have to ask but I'm sure you'll be able to use the Thoth Boy minis if you're interested.

20:18 / 30.03.04

absolutely groovy. I already have an aesthetic in mind; I'm seeing some high contrast, neat little designs. when I get the chance I'll probably take a crack at storyboarding it. but, fab job so far, schmee

03:07 / 31.03.04

By the way, in case you haven't figured it out carly is my animator. (God, it sounds so cool saying that!) And the fact that your music is sparking her imagination brings a huge smile to my face.

06:17 / 31.03.04

right on. hoping to take it somewhere more interesting in due time. again the jpeg is just a part of the process of creation on this side, no intentions there, merely a framework in which to work things... =)

and i agree with carly's sentiments, as well as yours.

11:21 / 31.03.04

I was wondering about the vocals… are you planning on doing that sexy whispering into the mic thing you do or singing? The whispering might work nicely if we add some incantation elements… kinda like an acoustic sigil, but it might slow down the action where as singing might speed it up. Maybe in combination of the two… don’t know what are your thoughts?

18:56 / 31.03.04

the vocals is the real stopper for me, i'm still trying to kick it around - the points you make are just one of the problems, my other concern is that the work not sound too serious, which those tendencies might convey.

i'm experimenting with variations, but i tell you one thing that would really help would be lists of things like incantations that would be appropriate, more background on the story itself or anything else that can help me build vocal references that are appropriate to the series.

the minis for example do help a lot as it lets me see what directions you're looking at.

gonna keep plugging away until something tickles the right bones. just glad to see we're all happy so far.

19:32 / 31.03.04

Okay, I'll send you the scripts for the whole story and the minis as soon as I get home. Also, I'll try and work on possible lyrics which you'll be free to use, change, mutate, add, or throw away as you see fit. Probably headed your way before Friday. I've never actually written a song so I'm warning you that it might suck horribly. Luckily I'm working with a talented people.

19:39 / 31.03.04

Another option I was telling Carly about is leaving out lyrics all together and going for just instrumentals. It'll take away from the whole cartoon theme song element I wanted to play with but might be nicer with the visuals.

Any 'lithers lurking about out there come out and help!

19:55 / 31.03.04

yeh, I completely agree with leaving it instrumental. I was just telling Alex that lyrics might limit the scope of the video, because there would be the tendency to illustrate what was being said (or sung, more accurately).

for the actual look of the piece, I picture it in high contrast...mostly black and white with some deeply saturated color here and there. rather cartoony, but in an action cartoon sort of way, not like Tex Avery or anything. Lots of running around, some freeze framing maybe, and some split screen stuff, too. very highly stylized, and designed up the wazoo. any input is more than welcome.

actually, it might be fun to play around with the whole comic book aesthetic...

22:24 / 31.03.04

sounds like a plan - i agree that you will have more flexibility by avoiding lyrics. i can focus more on developing a melodic construct (there kind of is one now, but it's not very apparant), which can then be produced in different emotional backgrounds, from frantic and fast paced, to slow and sad, to comical - with the melodic element being what ties it all together.

hopefully have some more stuff in a couple of days.

22:25 / 31.03.04

Carly- I was thinking for the flying around bits you could look at Peter Pan as opposed to say Superman. Something more fluid and glidey (something very organic) instead of some alien punching through the air.

03:29 / 01.04.04

Also about the actual story... I wouldn't want to just retell the comic. I want this to be a different story altogether.

I definitely want to show Herman as a regular guy. Then insert imminent threat, he turns into Thoth Boy, and action ensues. I want there to be running, flying, shooting energy balls from his hands.

rather cartoony, but in an action cartoon sort of way, not like Tex Avery or anything.

Might I suggest: Bruce Timm and Genndy Tartakovsky

12:36 / 01.04.04

And I'm still totally up for voice-overs, esp. since I'm right here in NYC!!

00:50 / 03.04.04

yeah I was totally thinking Bruce Timm, maybe a little Shane Glines, but absolutely NOT a carbon copy of either, or any. Ripping off someone's style is my abhorance. But there will definately be an influence of the B.T. Batman stuff in there. And I hear what you're saying about the flying; I'll keep it in mind.

As for voice acting, I won't mind reading the tracks, and actually if you need any girls (especially screams LOL) I am more than willing...I'm in NYC, too.

04:28 / 03.04.04

Yes, yes, you're all in NYC while I'm stuck here in sunny Miami... bastards!

Shane Glines is excellent! Even better than Bruce Timm (at least a bit more fun and quirky but in that same vein.)

So we've got potential boy and girl voices... which means I've got to bang out dialogue. So how do we want to do this, carly? I write a proper script and you story board around it (making changes as you see fit) or I let you do your thing and I write around it or you send me a plot and I write a script from it and you story board? pant pant Okay, I think I've gone through all the options. Whatever way will be easier and funner for you.

13:09 / 03.04.04

traditionally the script comes before the storyboards. When I'm boarding we can make adjustments, as often happens. But you can go ahead and script it. Remember, this is your baby

13:25 / 03.04.04

Okay, I'll start on a script but you have to tell me what you'd like to draw? Who do you want to villains to be? Just boring guys in black suits, ancient Egyptian Gods, Lovecraftian horrors? Let me know and I'll get on it.

12:37 / 05.04.04

I listened to this over the weekend - excellent work!! I love the music & the whole style and feel of it. Nice bassline too, great production quality!

16:21 / 10.04.04

Carly- I've just sent you the frist draft of the script. Can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Schmee- Anything new? Once Carly and I've hammered out a working script I'll send it your way.

22:30 / 12.04.04

And just for fun... page 2 of the promo mini comic. (In case you're still interested Mr. Six.)

01:35 / 13.04.04

What can I say? I love it! When I get the chance I'll board it. I have a couple of ideas for some of the shots, but it would be better if I let the storyboards do the talking. some of this stuff (esp. the rotation) will be rather difficult/time consuming, but just as long as you're willing to bear with me, this should be a really sharp video. I look forward to working on it with you and Schmee

02:55 / 13.04.04

Awesome, and like I said in the e-mail, don't worry about changing anything... I wrote this not really knowing what would be feasible for you. So if something is a pain feel free to change it.

Schmee, you've got something in your PM box.

14:54 / 13.04.04

Fantastic!! This looks great - I love the design for the amped-up gov't sponsored Horus. Horus vs. Thoth Boy!!! Very cool...looking forward to the rest. J.C.'s art continues to impress.

03:01 / 21.04.04

I realize I should stop posting these as there will be no surprise left once the comic is out... but this is the last of it, honest. This mini is actually now complete. YAY! Also there are a few pages between these two so if it doesn't make too much sense don't worry about it.

12:56 / 21.04.04

Horus is the god of war?

I love the Big Bird joke!!! These look great. How many pages total is this mini?

00:25 / 22.04.04

that art is fab. I hope my animation does this guy justice.

03:03 / 22.04.04

Technically, Horus is the "God of the Sky" but he's associated with war because of his epic battle with Set.

The mini is sixteen pages. But with two 8 pages stories. The first one in this one, Warbirds, and the second one is The Dark Thoth Saga, which was a lot of fun to write.

And Carly, I'm sure your animation will be fab as well. Don't worry about it. I would love to see your take on TB though. How about a few sketches in two weeks? Is that cool?

13:45 / 22.04.04

sure thing

And don't feel bad about reminding me, either.

18:36 / 22.04.04

Cool.

I wonder where schmee's run off to?

21:10 / 28.04.04

Here's a sneak peek at The Dark Thoth Saga. This page takes place right after the impetuous Thoth Boy inadvertently banishes a Tulpa embodying his goodness, whatever that means.

God help the good people of Hermopolis.

14:43 / 29.04.04

Looks great --- kinda hard to read the text, though, the size it's posted at. But I eagerly look forward to this!

18:51 / 29.04.04

Yeah, don't know why J.C. scans them so small. I mean, I wrote the damned thing and I can't tell you what it says.