Sunday, 13 January 2013

Introduction

In this blog I will be exploring the career of Pendleton Ward. Born July 8th 1982 Pendleton now resides in Los Angeles, California, where he writes and animates his breakout Emmy nominated cartoon TV series, Adventure Time. [1] 



 From a young age Pendleton was very interested in animation due to the fact that his mother was an artist and often worked with animators, sparking Pendleton fascination. It is said that Pendleton began by drawing a number of flipbooks throughout first grade and onwards.[1] 

Later in 2011 at an Adventure Time panel at the San Diego Comic-Con, Matt Groening decided to join the panel as a surprise, recounting that when Pendleton was a young boy, his mother had brought him along to visit Groening at his house, Where Pendleton went on to ask Groening for some sage advice on how to become an animator. However when asked what the advice was, Groening said he couldn’t remember what he had said. [2] 



When Pendleton finished high school, he went on to study animation at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). [1] 

Located in Valencia, California, the school was actually founded by Walt Disney himself in the early 1960s, aimed at both the visual and performing arts in The United states. [3] 

 During Pendleton’s time at CalArts, he met Eric Homan who worked at Frederator Studios, at a “Producers Show”. This allowed him to then go on to work at Frederator Studios. 
He also became friends with J. G. Quintel, who he later went on to work with on The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, before Quintel went on to create his own show, Regular Show, in 2009.[2] 

Early Career



In late 2002, early 2003, Pendleton published his first webcomic “Bueno the Bear”. The webcomic was later removed by Pendleton was he came to the conclusion that it was terrible. [2]


Bueno the Bear website opening, creator by Pendleton Ward. 

However it is still under construction so it is incomplete. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGle0j53utY



However he still holds on the character of Bueno the Bear, not only using the name for social websites such as Twitter. But he went on to create a small short after he began to work at Frederator Studios, called “Barrista”. [2]


Pendleton's "Barrista", featuring Bueno the Bear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuO1aStezKw




Random! Cartoons – Frederator Studios.


“Random! Cartoons” was created as a spin-off show from the Nickeldeon animation show Oh Yeah! Cartoons, created by the Nickeldeon Animation Studios and Frederator Studios, it was premiered December 6th, 2008 on Nicktoons Network. 
[5]
       The creator of Random! Cartoons, Fred Seibert[4], requested for thirteen full-length episodes. During the ASIFA-Hollywood, on January 10th 2007, screened six of the thirteen short. They also held a question and answer session along with a selection of filmmaker from Nicktoons Studios. [5]

 

From those six shorts, two would be selected to become a Tv Series, One short would be turned into a festival Series and One more would go on to be created for a web series. 
The two shorts chosen were Fanboy, which was changed to Fanboy and Chum Chum when it began airing on Nickledeon Novemeber 7th 2009. The other was Pendleton Wards creation Adventure Time¸ which aired on Cartoon Network April 5th 2010. 
[5]

Adventure Time Short/Pilot Episodehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w51IbKIgKco

“Boneheads” was selected to become a festival series and Pendletons second creation “Bravest Warriors” went on to become the web series on Cartoon Hangover’s channel on Youtube November 8th 2012. 
[5]
 
Bravest Warrior's Short.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Laiv0mNJ4Zk

Bravest Warriors

Bravest Warriors Bannerhttp://eqextra.com/arts/2012/11/09/review-pendleton-wards-bravest-warriors/ 
First created in 2006, Bravest Warrior was Pendleton’s second animated series. The series was produced by Frederator Studios and was directed by Breehn Burns, who is not only a director, but also a producer, screenwriter, illustrator and voice-artist. However Burns is better known for being the co-head of Lone Sausage Productions as well as being the co-creator of the award-winning short animation, Dr. Tan.[8]


The story is set in a very distant future, where four teenage heroes-for-hire, travel through the universe to save the troubled alien races and their home planets. The pilot show, which premiered on Random Cartoons showcase, following Pendleton’s first short Adventure Time that was aired a month prier, Followed the Bravest Warriors as the begin their fight against a ‘Tickle Monster’ for the duration of 7 minutes. [8]
 

On November 8th 2012, Cartoon Hangover was launched with the airing of Bravest Warriors episode 1, season one [6] [7. Keeping with the original cast from the pilot for the eight episodes, the only major change was to update and reinvent the characters design, which was left to Phil Rynda the former lead artist of Adventure Time. [8]

                 "Time Slime" 1st Episode, 2012            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpDOscUDQ_0 
 



Comic Cover for Bravest 

Warriors.http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=23483919 

Before the air showed, on October 24th 2012, Boom! Studios published a comic book of the heroes-for-hires adventure at the San Diego Comic-Con.[8]

The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack

Extracts From Flapjack Storyboard
(above and Below)
http://kn8ian.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/flapjack-test.html 

Two years before Adventure was due to air for the first time on Cartoon Network. Pendleton had began work as a writer and storyboard artist on Cartoonist Thurop Van Orman’s new show The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, along with his old friend from California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) J. G. Quintel. [10]

The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack was produced for Cartoon Network and premiered June 5th 2008, before ending 2 years later on August 31, 2010.
[9] 
During his time working on the show, Pendleton really liked how the storyboard artists also wrote the episodes, making the show storyboard-driven. And when it came down to creating Adventure Time, Pendleton went on to also run the show in same way, making it storyboard-driven. [11]










Monday, 7 January 2013

Adventure Time


http://www.comicvine.com/news/green-lantern-animated-adventure-time-and-more-come-to-netflix/145813/ 


In 2006, Pendleton created The first ever Adventure Time to be shown as part of the Random! Cartoons showcase. And before the show was picked up to become a Tv series that would be aired on Cartoon Network, Pendleton posted online. A year later in November 2007, the video has racked up and astonishing 1,000,000 views. 


Pendleton created The first ever Adventure Time to be shown as part of the Random! Cartoons showcase. And before the show was picked up to become a Tv series that would be aired on Cartoon Network, Pendleton posted online. [1]
The first adventure short was based around a boy called Pen & his dog Jake, where the find out from Lady Rainicorn (a half rainbow and unicorn) that the evil Ice King has stolen Princess Bubblegum, with the plan to go and marry her. When during the fight The ice king transports Pen and Jake transported back in time and to mars [12]A year later in November 2007, the video has racked up and astonishing 1,000,000 views.  [1]



http://www.fastcocreate.com/1681874/pendleton-ward-on-keeping-adventure-time-weird

CREATION

http://orangemagazinetv.com/2012/interview-with-adventure-time-creator-pendleton-ward/

After the animated short of Adventure Time, Frederator Studios began pitching the series to Nicktoons Network but was rejected twice. 
They then went on to pitch at Cartoon Network, where Pendleton began by pitching the very first storyboard for “the Enchiridion”, explaining how the show could grow and expand into a series. Cartoon Network saw the potential and approved, airing the first season in 2008.
 [12]
 
Pendleton used a series of “really smart, smartypants people”, aka his writers and storyboard artists, who all had a background in working for indie comics. By having the background in indie comics, it has helped the development of adventure, Pendleton relies on these people to help insert weird and more spiritual ideas into the development of the third season. [12]

http://orangemagazinetv.com/2012/interview-with-adventure-time-creator-pendleton-ward/

Adventure time has its own very distinct style that Pendleton developed throughout his time at California Institute of the Arts, but the style of the show was influenced by his time on The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack. But these weren't only shows that influenced, he really enjoyed the controversial comedy from the Simpsons and Pee-wee’s Playhouse. However he was keen to use more beautiful moments, inspired by My Neighbor totoro a film Hayao Miyazaki’s. 
[12]

From the start Pendleton described adventure time as a “dark comedy”. He always wanted to create a dark comedy as they are his favourite genre, Pendleton went on to say “I love that feeling- being happy and scared at the same time. It’s my favourite way to feel – when I’m on the edge of my seat but I’m happy, that sense of conflicting emotions. And there’s a lot of the in the show, I think.”
Fred Seibert, the executive producer, says the animation style reminds him Felix the Cat and that of Max Fleischer cartoons. But he also says that there are seems to be a lot of inspiration taken from the world of Dungeons and Dragons and in some aspects videos games.
But with all this Pendleton wanted there to be real substance in the world of Ooo, even though it was a world full of magic he wanted everything to seem realistic. 
[12]

ABOUT THE SHOW

http://orangemagazinetv.com/2012/interview-with-adventure-time-creator-pendleton-ward/

Adventure Time
 is focusing on the adventures of Finn the human and his talking magical dog Jake, in a post-apocalyptic land that is filled to the brim with strange and magical creatures.
 Adventure time is set in the “Land of Ooo” [13], which is meant to a post-apocalyptic future set a thousand years after the “Great Mushroom War” where the land was destroyed by a nuclear war, Pendleton went on to say “the show takes place after the bombs have fallen and magic has come back into the world”He also went on to say “I never planned it – I just saw this world as a magical place. The show developed organically – someone would add an element to the world, and it would stick [14].

The main character Finn, seems to be the only human left, was described by Pendleton as being a “fiery little kid with strong morals”, whereas Jake the talking magical dog was said to be based on bill Murray’s character from the film Meatballs, a laid back twenty year old who tends to joke around, but would give good advice Finn.
 [15]

OTHER MEDIA



Along with the show, a serious of grow your own toys have been released, along with  a set of action figures that range from 2 inches to 20 inches. There was also the release of the a 24inch sword that Finn uses in the show [16], and cuddle pillows of Jake & Lumpy Space Princess, as well as there being splat toys. [17]


Just like with Bravest Warriors, Adventure also released a comic book series. The comics were written by Ryan North, an independent web comic creator for Dinosaur Comics. With art by Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb, the comic was launched February 8th 2012. [18][19][20]

After the success of the comics, a spin off series “Maceline and The Scream Queens”, written by Meredith Gran (Octopus Pie) was to be released in july 2012 as a series of six comics, featuring both Marceline the Vampire Queen and Princess Bubbblegum. [21]


Finally on November 13 2012 the first adventure time game, Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why’d You Steal Our Garbage?!, was released for both Nintendo DS and 3DS. Developed by WayForward Tehcnologies. [22][23][24]
There is also an app called Legends of Ooo: Big Hollow Princess, which features a range of characters and places from the show, it focuses on helping Finn and Jake solve a series of puzzles. [25].

Wednesday, 2 January 2013

Conclusion


http://adventuretime.wikia.com/wiki/File:Main_characters_together.jpg
In conclusion, Pendleton has had major success, though there still much to learn about his past and about the man himself, he has created a show that has been able to appeal to all age groups and create a massive cult following.

I chose Pendleton because he has had a real impact on me as a person and an animator. I was able to begin exploring with my style, changing it to incorporate his “free” movements and simplicity as well as keep my own. By trying to use his no-bones movement I was finally able to create interesting and more convincing motions and poses in my work prior to my course. 
The style of his show is something I can really identify with the humour as it is very similar to my own and I adore the weird and wackiness of the characters and places.
http://comicbook.com/blog/2011/12/27/its-adventure-time-at-boom-in-february/
His ideas for his show are similar to ideas that I have, meaning I feel a strong connection with I’m personally. Without discovering his work, I feel I wouldn’t be able to do a lot of what I am to do today as well be able to feel as free to explore my style and ideas for my own work.

http://collider.com/mondo-adventure-time-poster-images-interview/163079/

Tuesday, 1 January 2013

References


1.  "Pendleton Ward Bio". Turner. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
3. Rushkoff, Douglas (1995). Media Virus: Hidden Agendas in Popular Culture. Ballantine Books. pp. 102. ISBN 0-345-39774-6.

4.
 Frederator Studios Blogs | Fred Seibert's Blog | Frederator Postcards Series 6.12
5.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random!_Cartoons
6. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2474952/
7.
 http://io9.com/bravest-warriors/
8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bravest_Warriors
9.
Zeus, Maxie (2008-04-04). "CN Upfront 2008: "Misadventures of Flapjack" Coming This Summer". Toon Zone. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
10. Walton, Zach (March 29, 2012).
 "Cartoon Network Brings Back The Classics With Cartoon Planet". WebProNews. iEntry Network. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
11. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marvelous_Misadventures_of_Flapjack
12. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adveture_Time#production
13.
Pendleton Ward, Part 2: More From the ADVENTURE TIME Creator". newsarama.com. 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
14.
"Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page – Pendleton Ward Interview". Wizards of the Coast LLC. 2011-04-08. Retrieved 2011-08-23
15.
 DeMott, Rick (2010-04-25). "Time for Some Adventure with Pendleton Ward". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on 6 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
16. Goellner, Caleb (2011-08-16).
 "Jazwares Rolls Out 'Adventure Time' Toy Images". Comicsalliance.com. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
17. "Adventure Time Splat Ball Figure - Jake"
. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
18.
Burlingame, Russ (2011-12-27). "It’s ADVENTURE TIME at Boom! in February". Comicbook.com. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
19. Goellner, Caleb (2011-11-19).
 "'Adventure Time' Comic Series Coming From Boom! in February". Comics Alliance. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
20. Sims, Chris (2010-12-21).
 "Ryan North Talks 'Adventure Time' Comic: "The Zombies Represent Friendship" [Interview]"]. Theouthousers.com. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
21. Polo, Susana (2012-04-17). "Adventure Time Marceline spin-off comic announced". TheMarySue.com. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
22. Ward, Pendleton.
 "The Adventure Time DS game will release later this year somet... on Twitpic". Twitpic.com. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
23. "Adventure Time Heading to Nintendo DS Later This Year – News".
 Nintendo World Report. 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
24. "Adventure Time Art". Frederator Studios. 2012-06-03.
25. Itunes Preview.
 "Adventure Time - Legends of Ooo: Big Hollow Princess on the iTunes App Store". Apple Inc.. Retrieved 2012-10-24.