Hey folks!
The one and only Christian Potenza is at it again; this time he’s got a behind the scenes look at the masterminds at Zinc Roe Design, the guys who created Total Drama Online! Get the scoop on upcoming games and more juicy goodness by watching the video!
Stay fresh,
Brendan
Hey gang!
First Thursday of the month means it’s art jam time! The theme for July was a call for a little love for the underappreciated supporting characters of 6TEEN, Total Drama and Stoked. Take a look at what the fans (that’s you guys) cooked up!
Coworkers Backstage by ~huck-finn-forever on deviantART
huck-finn-forever started off with the esteemed Mr. Coconut then raised the bar by teaming our tree-grown chum with Blaineley! I like to imagine they’re hanging out backstage dishing the gossip that even too hot for on-air!
George and Shania by *Fin-McCloud on deviantART
Lo’s li’l bro George got the thumbs up from Fin-McCloud, along with his pet spider Shania. Say, her screen name is just like the name of the character from Stoked! What are the chances of that?!
For July ReFresh art jam by ~ccsmiles on deviantART
Oh, I know what you’re thinking. “Aw, what a sweet picture by ccsmiles!” Sure, they look innocent, but it’s really just a political marriage to seal the alliance against DJ.
TDI Sleepytime by *TDI-Exile on deviantART
TDI-Exile pointed out that the Total Drama bear is as much a part of the cast as anybody else. That means that he’s contractually entitled to on-set naps (Chris’ lawyers sneaked that in there).
The Kahuna by *DisneyWiz on deviantART
DisneyWiz brings us a personal favourite of mine: The Kahuna! I’d say this picture is definitely worth free entry to movie night down at the theater!
There can be only one topic for August’s art jam, of course: summer vacation! Let’s see what you think the characters from you favourite Fresh TV show do when they’ve got some free time in the sun! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
Stay fresh,
Brendan
Hey folks,
I know a lot of out international readers were disappointed to learn that the totally wicked Total Drama Online site is, sadly, only for Canadian users. That doesn’t mean there’s no way for fans outside of the Great White North to show their Total Drama pride, though! Chris Potenza has posted a new video to his YouTube channel with some updates to the search for the world’s biggest Total Drama fan!
Let’s review: Deadline extended to September 15th, 2010? Check. Awesome new swag from Fresh TV up for grabs? Check. Open to any fan anywhere in the world? Check!
Stay fresh,
Brendan
Hey gang!
Huge news today! Total Drama Online has officially launched!
The site has a bunch of awesome games, juicy info on the contestants and videos. Plus, once you sign up for an account, you can create your personal Total Drama avatar and earn tons of points and badges to show off to your friends! Plus you might earn the right to become the next Gossip Monger! What’s that? Well, you’ll just have to head on over to the site and check it out, now won’t you?
While you’re there, come check out my profile! Think you can beat my high scores? Prove it! I’ll see you guys there!
Stay fresh,
Brendan
Hey folks!
Sam Bradley, who was featured on Thursday’s re:Fresh Faces, asked me the other day if I thought you guys would be interested in seeing some of the background artwork he’d cooked up for TDWT. He took my high pitched squealing as a ‘yes’, and passed these along!
How awesome is that?!
Stay fresh,
Brendan
Hey folks!
Today we’ve got the first installment of a brand new feature for you! In each re:Fresh Faces I’ll be profiling a different person from the Fresh TV and Elliott Animation offices, giving you a look behind the scenes at the nuts and bolts of making a great show!
I caught up with Location/Layout Designer Sam Bradley while he was working on some new Total Drama backgrounds. While most of the artists in the studio work on computers and digital tablets, Sam explained that old fashioned light tables are actually more convenient for the work he does. Not having access to tools like copying or stretching results in a more natural look, forcing him to rely on his own sense of design.
There are two separate but equally important parts to the design of a setting. First, Sam will get the script for a new episode, and come up with a background for each location. After feedback from the directors, those are sent to the storyboard artists, helping them keep things consistent. About a month and a half later, the storyboards are complete, and Sam creates new layouts for each dramatic angle and shot!
“We were kinda spoiled with this season of Total Drama,” Sam told me. Getting to draw the locations for each city the contestants visit on their world tour was like getting to design an entirely new show each time they got a new script. For any fans looking to do what he does, Sam suggested starting with the basics. “It’s obvious, but focus on learning to draw,” he advised. To keep your work fresh and original, don’t just look at existing animation for ideas; check out everything from classical paintings to real landmarks. “Real life is the best source of inspiration.”
A big thanks to Sam for taking the time to give us this inside look at his job! Keep an eye out for more re:Fresh Faces in the weeks to come!
Stay fresh,
Brendan
Happy Canada Day everyone! It’s a new month, and that means it’s time to check out some of the entries to June’s art jam over on reFresh Pics, the Fresh TV deviantART group. THis time around the theme was BFFs: the artists’ favourite character pairings from 6TEEN, Total Drama and Stoked.
:Jonesy+Nikki: by *daanton on deviantART
daanton reminded us that you can’t talk about Fresh TV romance without a nod to the original unlikely couple, Nikki and Jonesy! I believe the term is ‘glomp’?
Happier times by *CITPrincess on deviantART
This piece by CITPrincess is so sweet, you’ll have to brush your teeth afterward! Duncan featured in a lot of the entries this month; the bad boys have all the fun.
Emma and Jude by ~djcchs2004 on deviantART
We opened the contest up to included cross-show pairings, too, and djcchs2004 took the opportunity to let Jude get his grind on at Surfers Paradise Resort. I love that he’s still wearing his toque!
The Brain and the Brawn by *DisneyWiz on deviantART
He’s a condescending bookworm. He’s a rebel with a mohawk. Together they fight crime? DisneyWiz comes up with a winning combination!
We had plenty more phenomenal entries, and you can check them out here. After that, break out the art supplies and get working on your pieces for the July art jam! This month we’re giving some love to the folks you don’t get enough of it: the supporting cast! Let’s see your best work featuring Ron the Rent-a-Cop, DJ’s mom, resort co-worker Snack Shack or somebody else who’s earned some time in the limelight! This topic should give you guys a chance to get creative and try something new. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Stay fresh,
Brendan
Christian Potenza, the voice of Total Drama’s Chris McLean among other characters, is at it again! This time he’s throwing down the gauntlet with a challenge to prove that you are the biggest Total Drama fan ever. He’s putting up some awesome swag in addition to the ultimate fandom bragging rights. Think you’re up to the task? Check out the video below, then head over to Chris’ YouTube channel to subscribe and participate!
Stay fresh,
Brendan
Hey folks!
Say, are you following Fin on Twitter? What’s that? You are, but you just can’t get enough fresh, tweet-y goodness? Well, how about a brand new feed featuring Owen of Total Drama fame? Pretty darn awesome. With TDWT just around the corner, everybody’s favourite happy-go-lucky reality show contestant will be keeping us updated, so go check it out, and make sure to drop him a comment!
In other news, head over to the TELETOON site to play a slew of official Stoked games. The video remixer is especially cool! And don’t forget that there are just two more weeks left for our Stoked fan art jam on deviantART. Get creative and submit your best work; we’re looking forward to seeing it!
There’s tons of ways to get even more out of your favourite Fresh shows online, and we want to know what you think of them. Go take a look then post a comment letting me know. Remember, the most important part of our fan community is you!
Stay fresh,
Brendan