Hello all,
Let me start by saying that I am a writer (with no visual artistic talent whatsoever), looking for feedback, suggestions of where to go next, etc. I’ve copyrighted and registered this to the hilt, so here goes:
I have written a pilot script and bible for an animated series in the style of Green Acres meets King of the Hill with a little bit of Futurama.
Have you ever wondered what happens to all those probes and rovers that NASA sends to Mars? Why do they all break down and eventually fail to communicate? One person knows what's happening on Mars. His name is Marty. He lives there.
Marty the Martian Farmer follows a seemingly simple farmer and his family and neighbors as they deal with the trials and tribulations of being little green men and women living on the most popular planet in our solar system. In the pilot episode, Marty has had it up to his hat with the rovers, probes, and other space junk that keeps landing on his farm. He's also dealing with a very hungry and destructive cow, and his teenage daughter has just joined a hardcore punk band. Could there be one solution to all of his problems?
We also meet Marty's madcap neighbor, Jimmy, who is building a spaceship in his barn using spare parts from Marty's junk pile and knowledge gleaned from watching too many Earth movies. In future episodes we join Marty and Jimmy as they fend off alien warlords and travel to other moons and planets. With each episode we learn a bit about Marty's secretive past, including his involvement with the now-defunct Mars Space Agency and his real reason for not welcoming visitors.
This sci-fi sitcom will appeal to earthlings of all ages. Marty the Martian Farmer has tried-and-true elements to keep the kids mesmerized – cute alien farm animals, butt-kicking Martians, etc. But it appeals to a much larger audience thanks to witty writing that sizzles with subtly recognizable plotlines and elements borrowed from the cult classic sci-fi/horror movies of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Throw in some teen angst thanks to Marty's teenage daughter, and you've got a show the whole family can enjoy.
I’m ready to bring Marty to life, but I’m just a writer with no real contacts in “the industry” so I’m not sure where to go next. I do have an agreement with an agent, but so far that has gone nowhere. Your suggestions, critique, etc. are welcome. If you are interested in learning more about Marty, or maybe even working with me on this project, please let me know.
Thanks in advance.
Marty the Martian Farmer
http://martianfarmer.com
Martian Farmer,
Once you get your website rolling, let me know here. I'd like to take a look. It sounds like a neat idea, so keep at it.
Thanks.
chickenchop4
Don't stations accept pitches from writer/creators, or just animator folk? Just like a publisher can help authors get images for books, I'd wonder if they could just bring you on, give you a team, and provide/farm out the artwork.
You might want to grab someone who's good enough to maybe do a few designs, and then just make a teaser/trailer based on pieces of script; that way, there's a polished concept of what the actual complete show might eventually look like. When it's easier to "see" the finished product it might be easier to sell it.
(BTW I'm not being contrary, you'd know these things better than I would; I too am curious...)
The site is pretty informative. Well done. Here's the link to a cool alien story at www.martianfarmer.com. Take a look if you like aliens.
I guess they do, but I'm finding how tough (impossible) it is to get pitches to the right people.
That is exactly what I want to do. Frank Sudol, an animator on this forum, has graciously "donated" some character designs. With these, I have put together a simple website (http://martianfarmer.com/). But my skills are limited. Now I just need someone to work with me on a short teaser...
Thanks for your comments.
Marty the Martian Farmer
http://martianfarmer.com
Well, I'd hold off until I got as close to unanimously adored as possible. If most or even half said "your designs aren't very strong" or "it's hard to get gags or story points driven by relationships when a character's trademark is to be without emotion" (just coming up with things as examples, not saying they're true) then I'd step back and look at it from a detached state and think about what I could revise. Wait until all the second opinions you keep hitting up are in love, then just be persistent until they give you five minutes of their time. You don't have to muddy anything, or lose the integrity of your idea. Just tweak, and nail down. Then make those minutes the best five minutes you can.
That's how I'd play it, but that might not even be possible and it's just what's in my head.
I'd be interested to see what could be done with your site if someone zany like chickenchop went to town on it.