Crackerland - Cartoon Pitch

[lavallelee]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Hl1u4udsCmY/TTOh4B69P2I/AAAAAAAABBQ/owtHWfllssE/S1600-R/crackerland-header.jpg

http://www.crackerland.com

The cat is out of the bag, I have been working on this cartoon idea with my good friend Les here in Orlando since 2009.

Crackerland, America’s oldest theme park. Started out as a road side stand, where owner Colonial T. Cracker sold Oranges, Grapefruits and Tangerines to travelers along Florida Highway 71. Sitting on 99 acres of swamp land right outside Okie Dokie Florida. A day of family fun featuring world-class gator wrestling, manatee water ski shows, rides and games.

Their are 3 main characters, who the story revolve around while they work at Crackerland. Best of all, right across the street is their rival, Gee Whizey World a fancy smancy theme park with nightly fireworks, extremely expensive rides and very elaborate shows.

Here are some of my concept drawings. The main Crackerland characters are;

Fredrick Alafaya Flamingo (or Fred) The crazy character, clinically nuts but fun to watch.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_03_04_11_8_03_36.jpeg

Bumby the Manatee (i live on Bumby ave!) Crackerland's mascot manatee, rides around in a shopping cart, very lovable.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_02_04_11_3_30_05.jpeg

Jay O' Gator (Les lived on jay street!) The more normal character of the trio, if there is such a thing as "normal".

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_06_03_11_6_58_38.jpeg

There is so much I can talk about, but why not check out our brand new dot com! http://www.crackerland.com We have been very fortunate that many industry professionals have joined our fight to get on television! We have almost finished our show bible. Then we plan to pitch Crackerland!

Follow our blog & facebook for updates!

- Lavalle Lee McGuirk
- Les Carpenter

[SpiralEFX]

We wanted to share our characters & show I & Lavalle have created.... We met on the Don Bluth Forum about 2 years ago to this very date. We dont know if this goes anywhere but its been amazing the artist of different walks of life have contributed their talents. If you like what ya see, join our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crackerland/119077818161535?v=page_getting_started#!/pages/Crackerland/119077818161535?v=page_getting_started


Sample Some Amazing artwork from Amazing artist

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uCH7F-JBFZU/Tbo8pMkv7eI/AAAAAAAABVI/fEqBY81iOyQ/s1600/Crackerland_sunrise_08_1200.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pCfon8yz7q4/Tbinf6sNlYI/AAAAAAAABU4/zVFG_i-x5K4/s1600/Character-lineup.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R1NzufGGlsU/TaupSGh9o-I/AAAAAAAABSw/Vr3LzjepOGQ/s1600/lovebugs.jpg

[Phrogger]

I'm really impressed with the work you guys have put into this. I wish you all the best!

PS, the PaperWings Podcast has a show on pitching you may find useful, along with some other articles and resources:

http://www.paperwingspodcast.com/2011/03/pwp-002-ten-steps-to-a-winning-animation-pitch/

Also, you may already know about the book by Joe Murray:

http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Animated-Cartoons-Character-Developing/dp/0823033074/ref=pd_sim_b_2

[jeremyhopkins]

Beautiful backgrounds guys! Good luck on your pitch!

[joedorsey]

Congrats on securing the website. I'm glad that you're getting closer to pitching Crackerland. The artwork is great. I especially like the sunrise. I wish you all the best!

[Rodney]

You guys know I'm a fan already.

I think the idea is inspired and see a lot of potential in the characters.
Now I have this sudden inexplicable urge to play putt putt golf... not sure exactly why that is. Actually, no... I DO know...you've reminded me of past times at road side parks... time wonderfully well spent.

Fun stuff Lavalle and Les.
More power to you! :)

[frankenart]

very nice work from all involved in this project.looking forward to seeing this to fruition.really fresh toon thats desperately needed on tv today.

[andrew sharp]

Epic. Thats a huge body of great work. You all have created something real cool:D

[OwenWelsh]

Cool! I love the concept art. Where can I read more about the story?

[lavallelee]

Thanks Meredith, Jeremy, Joe, Rodney, Frankenart, Andrew & Owen!

We really appreciate the support. Les and I really put our heart into this project, and are EXTREMELY excited about pitching it to the networks! I was very very very happy when we secured the website, it was originally owned by some guy in Germany. Some domains are almost impossible to get once owned by another party, we were lucky.

Owen about the story, we have wrote about 50 episode synopsis's in the bible. We still are editing them. We currently have 3 scripts written by local Orlando comedians too! We will put them on the blog soon. :)

Here is the character bios.

http://www.crackerland.com/2010/11/our-show-bible-character-bios.html

[feliceworkshop]

Good luck with the pitch Lavalle and Les!... If you guys make it big am I allowed to brag that I once met you both in Arizona at the Don Bluth Masterclass? ... :laughing:
I love the concept art posted on your blog. Not only you guys worked with a lot of really talented concept artists...but a heavy weight such as Keith Osborn is taking care of the CGI? ...c'mon this spell success to me.
All the best!

[SpiralEFX]

my 2 cents... its been amazing how the thing has snow balled into on epic project..... It started with me & Lavalle thinking of ideas for his flash Cartoon site... it has turn out so much more bigger than that. ... after telling some of my co workers at Disney the premise, a few fell in love with the Characters & story & wanted to contribute art work & ideas to our story. ...from there people i have shown it to were blown away we been bombarded with how much they loved the show.... then Professional artist who on their free time contributed art to move us forward... some people i cant name because they are under contract with studios.... We were invited to LA this summer to pitch to producers looking for projects.... who knows what gonna happen... i just know i love these characters & one way or another they will be seen... something im proud of. the basic story is from my years of working in theme parks & Lavalle family vacations to parks ..... Our park Crackerland is run down roadside attraction that's been around for years our main 3 characters are Florida iconic animals Bumby the manatee, Freddie the Flamingo & Jay o' gator.... across the road a brand new multi billion dollar " Gee Whizey world" resort theme park built & out to crush our park..... there so many characters to mention right now ....Crackerland is reference to Florida Cracker... which means Florida Native..... Anyway thats jist of story... i would have to sit down & tell ya for hours of all the twist & turns... or hopefully someday you will get to watch it on the big screen or TV!!!!! .....If that happens we want Don & Gary to do a voice cameo as tribute to our artistic heroes...... & Hey maybe Dave too.... he could be Jay's long lost dad!

PS . Jeremy i thought i had you on facebook??? what happen?

PSS. Felice your over in Tampa why dont you come over to Orlando & visit us! yes Keith did an amazing 3d model of Freddie but we want it to be 2d.... but hey if they want to make it CGI i could live with it!

PSSS. Owen those bios Lavalle sent are kinda old... we gotta update them before our final bible

PSSSS. hey we made a Facebook fan page too.... join if you like what you see! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crackerland/119077818161535?v=page_getting_started#!/pages/Crackerland/119077818161535?v=page_getting_started

[jeremyhopkins]

PS . Jeremy i thought i had you on facebook??? what happen?
Ahh, sorry, I had a bunch of accounts that got hacked and I closed the facebook account just to be safe.

Congrats again guys, it sounds like you're having a great experience and it's awesome you're making your dreams happen!

[3ddrew]

This looks great! Best of luck on your pitch! =)