In early May 2009 youtube filmmaker God Jayson Scott Adams asked me if I would be interested in being the animator for a student project, completed as part of his part time film course at South Bank University London. He sent me the audio, which heavily featured *gasp* real freaking voice actors!! (which is awesome to me since at that point all my projects were voiced by me and my friends). I agreed, and a little later we began work on a South Park art
Trailer
So a few days after I finished my first year of university me and Jayson started work on all the visual aspects of South Bank. Because I was located in Middlesbrough and he was in London, he sent over to me via royal mail postal delivery, a CD-Rom filed with a tone of "jpgs" files, with all the characters, backgrounds and storyboards etc. Most of the characters were I believed made in Photoshop, modified from one of the various South Park character avatar maker located online. Being the whore I am, I quickly submitted one of myself.
I spent the better part of a week converting the files into transparent "gif", in order to cut around the green background Jayson was used to working with. Because at the time I was a one trick pony and refused to use anything but Adobe Flash, I created my segments using the vector graphic software while Jace would animate pieces in Adobe Premier to help lighten the work load. The two of us slaved for two weeks straight with little breaks, talking by means of audio conferencing over Skype. In the end between the two of us staying away from the outside world for a long amount of time, we ended up with a total of 17 minutes of animation, which Jaybo separated into 6 daily episodes which were posted on youtube to moderate success.
So without further introduction, a cartoon that needs no introduction, I present to you the entire 6 episode run of South Bank University Animated Series. I hope you the viewer enjoyed watching this as much as myself and Jayson enjoyed...actally hopfully you will like this a little more since making this was a bit of a pain in places. ENJOY!!
Episode 1:
"Become What You Want To Be"
The staffs of South Bank Uni undertake a new strategy in order to sink the likes of scum such as Cambridge Uni, along with their posh upper-class shenanigans. But what evil limes over this unsuspecting London university campus?
Episode 2:
"Info-mercial"
Jaybo, John Perkin, John Kennedy, Femi Oskeyie, and Shayne Little volunteer to create an info-mercial, building awareness for the university. With promises of high grades and easy work, will the boys be able to finish creating a 2 minute, simple, little effort addvert in just over 6 months?
Episode 3:
"Come In And Have a Try"
With the new open door policy in effect, random locals off the streets of London are encouraged to present their all new teaching methods to students. Meanwhile the boys began production on the student film, interviewing said London locals for their valued ideas and input. What could possibly go wrong? *cough*
Episode 4:
"Crazy Goth Chick"
During an interview conducted by the supreme chancellor of South Bank Uni himself, the boys uncover what could possibly the biggest cover up since...the last biggest cover up.
Episode 5:
"C**ksuckinb**ls"
This episode really speaks for itself. Bad stuff happening, can't write about anything without spoiling the plot and stuff...so um...WATCH IT!!
Episode 6:
"Attack Of The Loans"
In the final exciting episode of South Bank University Animated series...final stuff happens. Expositions and such. You will like. I do.
While I believe we both almost went crazy due to the insane amount of time and work we put into it, I really love this cartoon. While I had a few years experience creating cartoons with my own characters and scripts, South Bank was the first series type animation I was ever involved in which I had nothing to do with the writing process, art work or voice acting. For the entirety of the project I got to enjoy making this, without having to deal with all the self hating over critical nature I go through while making my own stuff. I got to be a cog in a larger machine, and enjoy the efforts of a whole string of people, from the creative leadership of Jayson who I really admire...also it paid real money, which is always nice.
Based on the positive response from the real South Bank University, as well as various festivals, screenings and what not, Jayson went on to do a follow up cartoon featuring the same characters. The sequal was called "Brave new world". I had nothing to do with it, but my South Park Bank style character does have a pretty awesome cameo. Check it out; see if you can spot me.
