This is the production blog, where you can find notes from the Executive Producer, and the Production Assistant on duty the night before the show airs.
April 30, 2008
Welcome to the bonus post season PA blog!
You may have noticed that Nate's dog was photoshopped into some of the pictures we posted in this run of blogs. Well, here's your chance to catch up! Can you find Nate's dog in all the pictures below?
Have a great summer,
Mike
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Post Season Production BlogApril 22, 2008
R. Emmett Sibley, Production Assistant:
The Blog
Tonight the first half of Season 12 ends. We’ve seen many adventures come and go.
We cured Aids then a killed pop-star. Got high on cat urine and forgot about Canada. We missed our penises only to shoot a giant load of ectoplasm…
The crew departs tonight for a much needed vacation. The catered food ends, long hours are no more and sadly my tenure with South Park comes to a close.
It has been a privilege to work here at South Park. It is a place populated by amazing and talented people. I would never have imagined all those years ago when I first watched South Park that I could become part of it’s family… and when I say family, I really mean family. For months on end we live and share our lives together. There has been a fair share of ups and downs… good times and the not so good times but that’s the way families work. I will miss everyone here dearly but what makes it ok is the fact that I always have a home at The Park.
I like to think that I came aboard during the Renaissance area of The Park. Trapped in the Closet, Make Love Not Warcraft, Major Boobage… Classics. Watching the show get made, I have learned so much about comedy, computers, animation and the limits of the human mind and body after a 24 hour work day.
People usually immediately ask me about Matt and Trey when they find out that work for South Park. For the record they are good hard working guys who are super generous and brilliant at what they do. I, probably like you, can’t wait to see what they think of next.
At 6am today (4/23/08 ) our local bar opens. Myself and soon-to-be Assistant HD Editor Nate are going to celebrate after our overnight here at The Park. If you can find us (we will be the only bar in Culver City that opens at 6am), you can buy us drinks as we tell you stories about South Park.
You might be wondering how Nate feels about leaving the PA ranks. When asked to speak from the heart about his illustrious time in the trenches his only response was “Fuck You, I’m out…SON!”
Oh yeah, if I don’t say anything about tonight’s episode your fat taco bell covered fingers will be typing out “you’re a pussy” faster than your energy drink makes your breath stink. This episode teams Butters up with Cartman. Enter a chat room and dish. Plus they go on a field trip. Call your circle and have them call their’s. To top it all off they mix a Pioneer Village with Die Hard terrorists. I’m sure you’ll be the first to update the wikipedia page. It’s a really funny episode.
Thanks for reading…BOOSH!
Also:
The PA’s have a little argument that we would like you out there on the data super freeway to settle.
Who’s Dog is the Cutest? Vote on the southparkstudios.com forum! (Click on "Discuss this topic" and vote using one of the options at the top of the page. You must be logged into the site to vote.)
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Production Blog Cliff HangerApril 15, 2008
Mike McMahan, Production Assistant:
SUPER HAPPY FUN BLOG!!!!!!!!!
Hello internet people! It's Mike the PA, and I'm pleased to report that this is the happiest time I've ever seen at South Park Studios!
There's a lot of happy stuff going on around here, and I wanted to give you all a heads up about it!
First off: lots of amazing changes going on! We have a lot of new people starting up because there's a new office opening next door: the South Park Digital Studios. It's literally a new addition to the office where the website, along with various other electronic media in the South Park universe is going to be explored. We couldn't be happier than to see the South Park family expanding off to the right!
That's not the only reason we're kicking up our heals: we've also got an HD project starting up. Some of the old episodes are going to be given a polish and converted so you all can watch them on those fancy new TVs!
I hope you're all watching the full episodes for free online, because that's another reason we're feeling so happy around here. We've had a great response to the brand new southparkstudios.com, from our families, friends, even strangers at the grocery store!
"I really loved that episode where Cartman ate his parents, and I just watched it online!" people say to me. And even though I wasn't working here when they made it, and Cartman didn't eat his parents, he tricked Scott Tenorman into eating his own parents, I'm still glad that people are enjoying that stuff.
Along with all the new stuff there's some traditional South Park events that are leading to some office joy. We're getting close to the end of the season, and the weather out in Los Angeles has been getting nicer by the day. Pretty soon most everyone will be frolicking out on the beach or wherever they go. Everyone here LOVES summer break.
There's so much to be happy about right now, I can't even fit it all in one blog. Nate and Rob are wearing their heelie shoes again, a bird moved in outside and above our front door, we got a new photocopy machine this season, P.A. Nate shook the ice off his cold New Hampshire heart and has started warming up, etc...
This has been an awesome season so far, I hope you've all been enjoying it as much as we've been working on it. This week's episode is called "Over Logging", and it's one I've been looking forward to for a while. I love it when Stan's dad remains rational in a time of crisis!
This week's behind the scenes picture is Rob the PA doing some "work" on the South Park Studio's roof. He must have needed that yellow bat for something PRETTY important.
Hope you all enjoy it, feel free to ask questions in the comments and we'll try to answer them in next week's blog, the last blog of this run!
Bye for now,
PA Mike
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South Park's Bigger OfficeApril 8, 2008
Gary Martinez, Production Assistant:
I WAS 3RD UNIT SPECIAL EFFECTS COORDINATOR ON THE "MAKING OF CON-AIR."
Contrary to popular belief, being a PA doesn’t always get you in to all the elite Hollywood circles. This being said, as part of our job we are often called upon to meet with certain people for the transmittance of sensitive information. You know, like making out with someone just so you can pass the microfiche that is hidden in the cap of your tooth. What, you didn’t get that Aeon Flux reference?
Basically, we have to deliver super secret Matt and Trey stuff to and from high-powered lawyers, executives, accountants and agents all over town. And getting past heavily guarded doors in Beverly Hills when you pull up in a purple Sentra isn’t the easiest of tasks. So what do all the best P.A.’s know that you don’t? We know how to scam the system.
In a town where many feign importance, we use the advantage of knowing we’re not cool to our advantage. We may be grungy, but our goal is as clear as day.
Let’s take last week for example. I had to get some documents to a high-profile person in Century City. Parking in their lot is out of the question seeing that you need another car just to get to and from your own. In addition, the building in which they reside has a valet stand that won’t help you unless you wear Armani and drive a Porsche, and their security staff would ask their own parents for ID. They can smell a PA coming to make a delivery from a mile away, so playing by the rules here will cost you an hour and a half round trip and your valuable lunch time.
Thanks to the other PA’s at South Park I was forewarned on this matter. They taught me to pose as who or whatever is needed. One day we’re doctors, another we’re the Ambassador to Ecuador. (Hell, that’s how Rob and Mike ended up here. They got a one-way ticket out of Africa by pretending to be Malawian children. Now they have really rich parents and a job at South Park.)
When I got to the building, I pulled up and pretended to be hot shit in my economy car. I already had the hipster film geek glasses on, so all that was needed was a Bluetooth headset, a black t-shirt, and an accounting folder. I gave the valet a nod as I pretended I was there to pitch my ‘Juno meets Lord of the Rings’ movie and voila!, five minutes later, I had passed security, delivered the documents, and was back telling the now suspicious valet that my agent’s assistant got the times mixed up. Mission accomplished. It sounds a lot easier than it was, but so does SEAL Hell Week.
This week we want you to share your stories about sneaking in places when you shouldn’t have been there. Concerts, proms, aircraft carriers, you get the picture.
By the way, congrats to readers verdow, mtait, skrewballx, and superkidwax. The glove pictured in the last post was used by the rotoscopers to prevent smudging on their Cintiqs. You won nothing. Welcome to the club of not being cool.
So I told the receptionist, 'umm, yeah, I have stuff on imdb, Jerry knows who I am.'
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Production Blog for April 8, 2008April 1, 2008
Gary and Mike, Production Assistant:
WE'RE GOING TO BE FAMOUS ON INTERNET!
PA Gary
This week’s episode dabbles in the area of internet stardom and I’m starting to wonder why I wasn’t consulted on this topic. My first blog of my PA career garnered 16 replies and if that doesn’t mean I’m at the top of my game, what does, right?
I started to do some research and realized that lonelygirl22, or whatever her name is, got 6 trillion hits in, I believe it was like 12 hours. After seeing that I realized I was gonna have to step up my game, especially if I have to carry people like Rob and his meager 3 replies on his last blog. Good job PA Rob…or shall I call you ‘The Anchor?’
People get famous for anything nowadays and I want a piece of the action. PA Mike and I have been brainstorming ideas…
PA Mike
I’m happy to be writing this week’s blog with Gary. He’s a great guy, but he (and I) could both be greater.
Becoming a star for saving people in a fire, or for singing on TV is a totally lame way to become known. The cool, super easy thing to do these days is to do something stupid and then post it on “the web” for people to laugh at you.
I know a lot of people out here who’re trying to “make it” in this business by writing, acting or assisting when really what they should be doing is letting a cat chomp them on the nutsack or set fire to their step-dad’s car. (NOTE FOR STUPID PEOPLE: DO NOT DO ANYTHING WE DESCRIBE HERE).
I’ve come up with a pretty awesome idea for how to become famous: I’m going to take a picture of myself every day for a year while only eating snacks that I find at South Park Studios. Once I get morbidly obese, I’ll just lose a bunch of weight and marry my girlfriend! Then I’ll take all the pictures, animate them flickering one after another, then throw “I’m a Barbie Girl” song in the background, or something. You’ll be able to watch me grow like a balloon, then suddenly become super skinny. Blam. Fame, marriage, free candy. Perfect idea for a perfect life. It’s one of those ideas that lets you sit back and sigh, like you’ve just blasted a big fart, because of how perfect and unassailable it is. How about you, Gary? Any ideas?
PA Gary
I like PA Mike's idea, but I don't know if I have the same level of dedication he has. I'm in this for the quick and easy solution. Such as:
1) Dressing up and reenacting the most famous paparazzi shots of the last year. Yes, even the upskirt shots, ya pervs.
2) Me hitting someone in the nuts while the Pope watches and laughs
3) Create a cartoon about 4 nine year olds living in Colorado
As you can see, we don't anything that seems to scream ‘superstar.’ What this means is that we want to hear from you, yes you the reader, and hear what you think is the key to internet stardom. Below this is YOUR space, to talk and giggle and dance the merry dance of internet stardom.
Also: we’ve added a bonus image! Can you guess what this was used for while making “Major Boobage”?
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March 25, 2008
R. Emmett Sibley, Production Assistant Special Effects Cinematographer:
Yo Reader,
I've heard you missed me. You've yearned for my writings over the last few months. Thought about me during those quite moments in your life...
Since my last blog I have accomplished 3 of my life goals:
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March 18, 2008
Mike McMahan, Production Assistant:
Hello internet! We're back for another season. Gary, great blog last week! You're already an invaluable addition to our coke and taco purchasing department.
So this week's episode is all about a mistake that the boys make, and how they deal with its gruesome consequences.
I decided to go around the office and interview some South Park staffers to see if they had any memorable mistakes that ended up with gruesome consequences.
Nate the production assistant says:
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March 12, 2008
Gary Martinez, Production Assistant:
If you make a right at the gum drop forest, cross the peppermint river, and make a wish at the pork soda fountain, you'll come to three beautiful sirens that look strangely like PA Mike, PA Nate, and PA Rob. You'll have to share nectar and ambrosia with them before they let you in the gates, but once they do, you'll finally get to experience the magical world that is South Park.
This is my first run at South Park and let me tell you, I am now privy to information that would make your precious little heads spin. There have been rumors that once you start here, they give you a character on the show. I can't say whether this is true or not, but if you do see a Mexican/Filipino version of Brad Pitt a la Fight Club on a future episode, it may or may not be me.
What I can say about 'the Park' is that it appears to be a well-oiled machine. And by well-oiled, I mean well fed. It appears well-oiled too if you really want to know. But do you really want to know that Matt and Trey call everyone in the office in for a group hug at noon everyday? I’m sure you’d rather read about what goes in to our oversized bellies. Yeah, the other PA's have probably written about it, but what other PA has provided pictures in the stellar beauty of 1.3 megapixels? Welcome to the future…
This being said, a goal of mine (aside from being the best PA the earth has ever seen) is to somehow maintain my current body weight. I'm at 178 lbs according to our scale here and though I've always been relatively thin, my metabolism is starting to slow in my old age. Couple that with the temptation of peanut butter cups and red vines, PA Gary could be PA Tubby come 8 weeks from now. Is it bad that I'm sweating as I type? Does Apple make chocolate proof keyboards? Is it still cannibalism if I eat my own hand?
I’m sure I’ll have much more to report as the weeks go on, but as I said I’m new here and have a lot to learn. I am impressed by the camaraderie that I have witnessed as we approach the first Tuesday all-nighter. Much of the staff decided to wear their pajamas today to celebrate the mix of comfort with good old-fashioned hard work.
Us PA’s, we decided to dress a little differently (mainly because California law prohibits our skivvies from being displayed in public). See below.
PA Gary, PA Nate.
Not shown: PAs Mike and Rob. They got tired and took a nap under a gummi tree.
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