Tonight we welcome Archer Art Director Neal Holman to Fort Kick*ss to join in on our discussion of the highly anticipated “Lo Scandolo.” He has two tough acts to follow (Previously: EP Matt Thompson and Producer Casey Willis) but I’m more than certain he is up to the challenge.
Neal is not only responsible for the show’s overall visual style, but he also created the opening sequence. And if that isn’t enough for you Neal voices Mr. Bloodmobile himself, Brett Buckley. From Neal:
“I started as an intern on Season Two of Sealab:2021 and have been working with Matt and Adam ever since. Frisky Dingo is where I cut my teeth as an Art Director. I also voiced a lot of the background Xtacles and random characters on the show (guy in hallway, helicopter pilot#2, etc). On Archer, I also get to be the voice of Brett, the ISIS employee who takes a bullet or twenty every season.”
Get your questions in early and often and he’ll do his best to get to everything he can.
Pre-show talking points…
- Malory’s apartment! Assassinated prime ministers! Sullen wenches murdering good etiquette!
- “Lo Scandolo” isn’t just how Archer assumes you say “The Scandal” in Italian.
- Must. Have. Brett. Buckley. Origin. Story.
- As we mentioned last week, “Lo Scandolo” definitely has a Clue homage feel to it.
- What does Krieger do with GPOY cellphone photos?
- And the costumed conspiracy dinner party has already stolen my heart…
Open thread is officially open for business. Live blog with Neal Holman begins promptly at 10PM EST, but he may drop in beforehand if you guys ask good questions. As always, everyone is encouraged to keep chatting and GIF-ing through the wee hours of the night. I’ll put a cap on things in the AM.
Follow us @KDMaske, @TheCajunBoy, and @UPROXX for reminders. Images via FX.
Tonight’s Badge: Unlock “Dr. Krieger’s Shattered Dreams” with active commenting and sharing via the Twitter and Facebook buttons on this page. You must be a registered UPROXX commenter.
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Thanks to everyone for participating. Many, many thanks to Neal Holman for being awesome and hanging out as long as he did. As always, thanks to Chet Manley for the late night GIF making.
My favorite episode of Season 3 thus far. I’ll be all sad potato until next week…
Verified
Okay folks, I’m off. Good to talk to you all and thanks again for supporting the show. Next week, come back for “Bloody Ferlin” a Ray Gillette centric episode and the supremely talented Assoc. Art Director Chad Hurd.
Neal, thanks so much for hanging out and providing such killer insight into the show. I speak for everyone when I say we truly appreciate. Really looking forward to hanging out with Chad next week.
Chet can we have a fancy party gif? I love youuuuuuu
Pinkies up!
Awesome thanks man
Apparently I can’t do GIFs and engage in phone conversations. Now I know.
YES!
I now say slap like Ray says snap.
Verified
Evidently every new post I make doesn’t make it up here, so I’ll try posting as a response:
Okay folks, I’m out. Thanks again for supporting the show! Tune in next week to “Bloody Ferlin” and chat with the supremely talented Assoc. Art Director Chad Hurd.
And thank you for the insight and contributions to the show.
I did not properly set the looping to the opening GIF, so this fixes that.
Facebook profile?
Love Kreiger GPOY. Amazing work as always, Chet.
Neal, you’re being totally badass! Thanks! I was half kidding and 55% for real. I haven’t ever been a fan of a show ever…I am pretty narcissistic like that…I guess that’s why Archer really reverberates with me. I would love to come visit you guys some time, but it is Atlanta, don’t think I can stray past Buckhead.
Sweet. Now, how do I get a job, I’m just up the road in Charlotte…
Verified
Get a portfolio/website up that you think is ready for us to review and send it to floydsubmissions@gmail.com. Do not expect a response. We’ll contact you if/when we have a position that suits your skills. The account is for artist/animator submissions only, so (if anyone is wondering) don’t send writing samples as they will go unread.
Neal, are you guys still using Illustrator for the main work on characters?
Verified
Yup! Unsupervised is all Flash, but Archer is still Illustrator.
I think I’m due for a Firday night archer marathon, seeing as my social life is now elegant.
Chet, if you plan on being awesome tonight, potato tear wipe would be my #1.
I’d appreciate Lana’s initial slapping spree.
Verified
One heard that this is the place for gifs…
Chet Manley is our resident GIF extraordinaire. His turnaround time is often rather amazing. We try not to demand too much from such a genius though.
Also, Neal, any requests from you can’t hurt.
Neal, did you like the art work for Samurai Jack? Madly in love with it.
Verified
Love, love, love that show.
Yah man, I do too, I’ve been tossing around writing a spec script for a live action for it, but then it looks like Abrams got rights and is making it into just a cartoon 2d-3d mix for theaters….ugh.
Neal was cool enough to share several production images that really portray how much time goes into the settings. Click the links for all.
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*claps like a six year old*
Any thoughts on making these into prints?
So, the ones that look it, are all 3D renders? Any chance we can get a 3ds max file? or do you guys use maya? I would love to play around and put my friends on set!
Verified
Prints are up to FX. The sets all exist as 3D models, however our painters work over the renders pretty heavily, adding all of the textures and “lived-in” detailing. Those aren’t for public use, however. Sorries.
Gotta say the picture of Malory and Duchess a la John Lennon and Yoko is ridiculously awesome.
So Ray’s not paralyzed anymore? What the hell is he, Dennis Byrd?
Verified
Um, check again. He is still very much paralyzed.
Verified
Did anybody else play Colonel’s Bequest way, way back when? The dead body in front of the balcony doors was a direct visual reference to that. It was one of the first computer games my family ever owned.
Verified
Okay, so my posts keep not making it up here. Here goes another try–
Okay folks, I’m out. Thanks again for supporting the show! Tune in next week to “Bloody Ferlin” and chat with the supremely talented Assoc. Art Director Chad Hurd.
Aww right…time to turn on my PS3 for 30 minutes….or rewind my DVR.
Was the detective voiced by the guy from Modern Marvels?
neal, will we ever really find out who Archers Dad is? or will that be like where springfield is for the simpsons?
Verified
One fateful day, yes. Maybe. Sort of.
I see no way in which it is not Burt Reynolds.
It’s like How I met Your Mother. The longer it takes the longer I’ll be interested.
Ho. Ly. Shit.
I appreciate the foreign languages with context clues, but I can deal with subtitles. Thanks anime.
Verified
That’s actually one of my favorite parts we do. I love that you don’t know what they’re saying in whatever foreign language. Like if an Italian guy rattled off right before he put a bullet in some dude directly in front of me, I’d have the exact same experience (minus the soiled pants.)
LOVE. Whole new respect for Malory this season. Brilliant.
What was Archer doing to Woodhouse when he got Malory’s call?
Verified
Throwing flour on him.
Was he getting ready to deep fry him?
Flour? …why?
Verified
cause.
!!!
…wow. thats fucking awesome on Malorys part.
I think that it’s one of those things where the writers have to make them look like they’re at least partially competent for the job, otherwise the charm is lost (ie-see “Michal Scott”)
Have you guys managed to get a legible mustard glass Archers had yet? Would that be too outside the genre?
Verified
No but we will now!
Please shoot me an email so I can let my friends know… I will be a god in their eyes….we’re easy like that. (mfortune@hotmail.com)
A 6′ man-rubber? He looks 5’10” at the most.
Krieger would totally leave an upper decker.
Upper decker ref! Drink!
How could Lana fit into a Maid costume that would fit Mallor….ohhh, that’s why she’s wearing the Trench Coat.
Guess: Pam’s gossipy disease was the source of the tip-off.
Neal, awesome man! Thanks.
hahaha! Wow, it makes me feel like I am 15! hahaha. I didn’t know the George one at all! Knew the greek one, but hey, who isn’t! What I really loved is how the paddle worked it’s way back into Malorys hand later…mommy issues are fantastic. Hey, the art work is fantastic!! I love the mixing of styles and technique.
Ray’s FDR costume was spot-on.
Pam as Mrs. Peacock, Lana as the maid (AKA MRS. WHITE!)
well now i know how i’m talking to everyone tomorrow.
I wish I could be so elegant.
Lana as maid = win
Classy Pam is now my favorite!
I. Love. These. Accents.
This is quite amusing
Calpurnia! Amazing.
Wiz Khafling has so much street cred…you know, being on a Bing commercial and everything.
I want to be part of Krieger’s next Goatley. Or some other half-man half-farm-animal creation of Krieger’s.
Since almost all the characters are great let me say something about a lesser one. I wish people hurt Cyril more
I’m going to turn the plot of this episode into one of those Dinner Murder Mystery Theaters. Guess what the main course will be?
Milk steak?
I LOVE the detailed art work done on Kreiger’s eyes at the perfect moments.
Yeah, take that tone.
“a big smiley face” god I loe kreiger.
This sucks. If I’m hard at work, I get fired.
“And is Krieger hard at work?”
“He might literally be.”
“Ew.”
“You got a potato?”
“What is this, Christmas?”
Exchange of the episode. I came.
YAY!
Let there be Pam.
“Black, bitter, preferably fair trade.”