Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Happy Anniversary PHANTOM HARBOR!

Hey Kids!

So, it was a short 4 years ago that the world was introduced to a spooky stretch of beach on a forgotten cove somewhere in limbo known as PHANTOM HARBOR.

With no money, limited technology, a lot of imagination and drive, we shot our first episode in two days in our one-car garage, here in Highland Park, California.  Not 100% sure of what I was hoping to do, the first episode was much more atmospheric and limited in terms of animation. At the time I had no idea of how much work it was going to be; thank God I didn't, because I might have given up before I tried!

I had a lot of great people helping me out including my wife, Tracy, who stepped in and directed my performance. She came into the garage and witnessed me doing a really bad Orson Wells impersonation as the Captain and helped me figure out who The Captain really was.  Mike Deak not only helped puppeteer the Goblin, but helped me figure out how to shoot him using no rods.  The compositing was sketchy, but a conversation with Everett Burrell helped guide me to new software that has greatly improved our composite shots.

However, for the first episode I do need to single out Derek Krout and Patricia Urias (Venuto) who ran the foam rubber in the Goblin mold for me.  They did an incredible job and four years later, I'm still using the same puppet:

Sculpting away!  Boy, look how skinny I was - time to lose some weight!
Every wanted to know what a naked Goblin looks like?
Molding in Ultracal 30.
And now, some videos that I don't think anyone in the world has seen besides me.  Here are Derek and Patricia opening the mold and checking out the puppet:
A little hair, a little paint and he was all done, ready to shoot!
Look how beautiful he is!
He was supposed to be a "Boo!" at the end of the first episode but was so iconic that he became the Cap'n's number 2, right-hand man...well, Goblin! 

And the episode?  If you haven't seen it (or haven't seen it in a long time) check it out here:
Phantom Harbor Pilot Episode (2008)

Thanks everyone for joining us on our voyage!  There is so much more to come so keep tuning in and checking the blog for updates and specials.

Until next time, I'll see you at the Harbor.

Shannon Shea

1 comment:

castlegardener said...

Thank you so much for sharing the behind the scenes shots. I am embarking on a film project much like yours. It is great to see your progress.