The link is here: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/08/13/2009-08-13_fxs_animated_series_archer_spied_as_a_best_bet_for_fall_tv_.html
'What's new and good on TV this fall?" is a trickier question than it seems.
But here's an answer: "Archer."
Because it's clever and flat-out funny.
"Archer" is a half-hour animated show that will premiere on FX sometime in the fall. It's more satiric drama than sitcom, and it's about the people who work in a spy agency.
They don't do much spying, based on the pilot episode. They mostly hang around, pull guns on each other and deal with their dysfunctional lives.
So it's more like, you know, a relationship show.
It has a little "Arrested Development " and a little of "The Office" and maybe some "Mad Men," including a sculpted lead character whose name isSterling Archer .
Archer, who's voiced byH. Jon Benjamin , is the kind of guy who can jet around the world and find a way to artfully put it all on his expense account.
He's also the kind of guy who obsessively answers every phone call from his mother, even when he's in bed with his beautiful fellow spy, Lana.
"I can do both," he whispers to Lana.
Did we mention that his mother runs the spy agency? And that she's fond of phone sex with other spies?
As this might suggest, much of "Archer" is just wrong, terribly terribly wrong, beyondBill Maher wrong, maybe more like "South Park" wrong.
"You build that backdrop that's very familiar, like 'Mission: Impossible' andJames Bond , and then you just skew it really, really badly," creator/writerAdam Reed told TV writers inPasadena last week.
"This job is probably one of the most fun jobs I've ever had," said actressAisha Tyler , the voice of Lana. "I get to spend an hour and a half saying unacceptable things in a very tiny room with no air conditioning."
"Animation cuts you a lot of slack in that you can have your characters do pretty bad things but people forgive them," said Reed.
It's also hard to imagine two live actors getting away with the casual interracial porn joke that works just fine for Sterling and Lana.
That doesn't mean "Archer" is easy to make. FX says each episode takes about a month. But hey, what do we care how much time someone else has to spend to amuse us?
So if someone asks what's new and good on TV this fall, tell them "Archer." Then you might want to turn off your cell phone for a while.
New Pages Print Email
Nothing new to report really. I put up some new pages in the sequential gallery for you to peek at. Just the beginnings to a little story I did with Writer Neal Holman.
Kinda fun, really funny. Experimented with the style and tried my hand at lettering, which is a little tricker than I expected. Take a look!
Work on "Archer" is moving along at a good pace, it was pretty hectic for a bit but the show is looking great and keeps getting funnier! I hope to have more to show you soon!
-Chad
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ACTUAL BIG NEWS Print Email
Alright, the cat is out of the bag, and I can finally tell you all the big news!
The new show I've been working on has been announced!
It's called ARCHER and it will be on FX this fall right after It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia! AWESOME!
Here is a press release:
FX has ordered six episodes of "Archer" (working title), a new half-hour animated comedy series from Adam Reed that the network will launch this fall, announced Nick Grad, Executive Vice President, Original Programming, FX.
style of animation and comedy to such a fantastic line-up."run in film ("Anchorman") and television ("30 Rock"). Aisha Tylers television comedy credits include "Friends" and "Reno 911!" Judy Greers comedy turns include "Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "Arrested Development," "Two and a Half Men" and "My Name Is Earl." Jessica Walter earned an Emmy nomination for her role as "Lucille Bluth" in the Emmy Award winning comedy "Arrested Development" and she is reprising the role for the feature film adaptation of the series.
PS- I drew Archer, the girl, and the dog in this scene...BOOSH!
I'll keep you up to date with all this as info is released!
Chad-
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BIG NEWS Print Email
I was doing pretty good for a while there, but still, even if this is monthly, it's a heck of a lot better than I was doing!
Firstly, take a look in the sequential section and you will see the Henchmen Confidential pages I've been promising you forever! The first 5 pages are up for your viewing pleasure. I had a lot of fun working on this, and Jeremy did a great job with the colors! I'm anxious to continue working on it! Not sure if these are the finished letters or not, I'll check and post the newest version after I find out.
I've also been going a little crazy with my ink and brush lately, trying to get a little more organic with my art, and I've been having a blast! You may have seen the Mighty Loser stuff I posted a little while ago? Well here is the first 2 pages of that story! I hope you like!
I'm currently getting these pages toned and lettered. They should be ready to go SOON!
But in even bigger news, I've switched animation studios! Pretty exciting! I'm still a character designer, but I'm now working for Floyd County studios getting a show ready for this fall! I'll be able to share more soon, like the name of the show and some screen caps. But I'm SOOOO excited about it. So far, it looks gorgeous, and the writing is hilarious. I can't wait to give you some inside scoops!
But that's it for now! Thank you to everyone who had gotten commissions recently, they are always appreciated!
-Chad
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Move A Long Print Email
I'm back! And it didn't even take that long, I may be turning over a new leaf!
My Portfolio is finally done, and looking pretty great! Looking back at my portfolio and resume, there has been some pretty great stuff I've worked on in the past 2 years. It's nice
to see it all together. After I get it printed I'll post a pdf for download.
I also got to go see UP! in 3-D. Their aren't enough great things to say about that movie, it was genius all the way through. The opening was especially heart wrenching, and really
made me invested in the characters. Some VERY adult themes though! I had the "pleasure" of sitting next to a little girl and her dad in the theater, and the questions just kept running
out of her mouth, non-stop. Why is he sad? what is she doing? where is the wife? why is he angry? On top of it, the constant grabbing at the screen. Bleah, kids...
But UP is probably my favorite Pixar movie to date, only rivaled by The Incredibles. I do have to say if you haven't seen it in 3-D you are missing something special. It was REALLY well done.
I was afraid the 3-D would be right in my face the whole time saying "YOU ARE WATCHING THIS IN 3-D!" but it was very tasteful and only added another field of depth. I actually forgot I was
watching a 3-D film for a good portion.
Next on the list- Transformers 2! And to all those who didn't like the first movie, Poo on you, you stink!
Things with Henchman Confidential are moving along well, and I can't announce anything yet, but hold tight!
I'm also going to post another teaser image for a book I'm working on with Neal. I hope you like! It's a lot of fun, probably the most fun I've had in comics in a LONG time!
Talk to you soon!
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bloggin' Print Email
Going to attempt to use this more like a 'real' blog, and update more often. we'll see...
I've been keeping pretty busy as of late, not only with Henchmen Confidential, but getting together some stuff for my new sketchbook/portfolio. All the images are from thing you haven't seen before, and is heavier on the storyboard side of things rather than comics and design. Although, the next book will focus on design work for the xtacles, and other animation projects, character turns, sketches and whatnot. I'll keep you posted on when those come out.
So that has sucked all the time out of my life, and left little time for much else, let alone 'fun' art. So, since today is memorial day, and my wife is busy watching "Maid of Honor" I thought I'd do some sketching. And what do I have for you, but this weird Batman sketch! Just playing around to get my hand drawing again after a week of character turns. Kinda fun, batman can work in so many different styles, I think that is the beauty of a really great design. Anything from the clean and chiseled animated series, to adam west, to dark and gritty. It's also interesting to see him sometimes standing as a hero, chest out or slumped over like a vampire in the night. So, that's kinda what I wanted to do. Growing a little sick of the barrel chested Batman. That's Superman's gig.
-Anyway, have a great memorial day, I'll update soon!
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What happened?!?!? Print Email
Okay, so New Year's resolutions are for suckers...
Wow, I can't believe January was the last time I updated, that is ridiculous! For the 3 of you and my mouther-in-law that still read this, thank you! And sorry I've been so bad about updating it.
So, if you looked around at all, you may have noticed that a lot of stuff is missing. I'm planning on using this site now, and starting fresh, and to do that I needed to do some spring cleaning. So, I
got rid of some of my older art, especially the junk that was sketching from college. Fact is, I'm better than that now, and I plan to show you! So forget the art of Chad past, and look forward to seeing
some new drawings, finished and sketches. As well as new comics, and storyboards! Excited? Believe me? Well you should...
Part of the reason I've been absent for the past four months is I've been working on cartoon pilot's for FX and FOX. I'm hoping to get some of the designs I did approved to show you as their is some really
interesting stuff I'd like to show you. Soon...
Also, I've been working with the talented writer, Neal Holman on a new book called Henchman Confidential. It's a pretty slick book, with lots of humor and action. Kind of a chick flick romantic comedy with
more explosions and under the guise of a superhero book starring the much overlooked henchman! It's been a lot of fun, and I have a little preview for you here! Awesome colors on the page by my good
buddy Jeremy Treece!
Just a small taste, but you'll get plenty more soon enough!
Alright, you know I am still alive, so that should be good enough for now!
I'm working on a sketchbook that should be done this weekend, and I'll post some images from that after it's printed.
Also, I'm still taking on commissions, so please feel free to hit me up!
-Chad
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