Behind the Scenes of South Park's Quick Turnarounds

Well into responsible adulthood, I am still a major fan of the animated show South Park. Yes, it's offensive, juvenile, and occasionally grotesque, but above all- the show is a damned funny (and sometimes even deeply reflective) running commentary on some of the biggest and most contraversial cultural issues affecting the country.

With regards to the latter, on many occasions South Park has managed to miraculously craft an entire episode around news events that happened the same week - and at least once even the day before - as in the infamous "About Last Night Episode" which aired the day after Election Night and somehow managed to incorporate President Obama's acceptance speech which had just aired less than 24 hours before South Park went to air.

I have always been perplexed and amazed by how quickly South Park could seize on a current news event and have it play out in animated parody with so little turn-around time. ( Didn't we always learn that animation was painstakingly time-consuming and slow filmmaking process?!) Surely creators, Matt Parker and Trey Stone, have some Down and Dirty guerrilla tricks up their sleeve to pull off such miracles of animation turnaround.

Click the link below to peep the very funny "About Last Night" episode and then check it out with director commentary about how the whole episode came together over 6 days. (BTW- ALL the South Park episodes are available online for FREE in their entirety at SouthyParkStudios.com) Thanks to Matt and Trey for years of making me laugh my ass off.

To view the full episode with commentary
CLICK HERE

Get the Shut Up and Shoot Doc Guide for Only $23.00 - 34% Off the Cover Price!

I recently found out that The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide was officially the best-selling film book of 2008 by the best-selling publisher of film books- Focal Press.

So to celebrate for the very first time and for a limited time only, I am offering personalized copies of the book for a whopping 34% off the $35.00 cover price. That's only $23.00 for:

• 296 Full Color Pages
• 500+ Illustrations
• Bonus DVD w/ Video and Audio Tutorials

Don't go to the main book sales page. You can only get the $23.00 price using the special link below. That's as cheap or cheaper than you will find it anywhere online- and I will sign every copy.

But hurry- this link will NOT be active forever. It'll be up for at least a week, but I won't promise more than that. Once current supplies have been exhausted, I will delete this blog entry entirely.

Order Now While Supplies Last:

Please Sign This Copy To:

Starting Your Own Production Company on the next Double Down Film Show

On the tonight's Double Down Film Show we will discuss the ins and outs of starting your own production company. The "show" is only half of the equation. Whether you are looking to shoot music videos, commercials or indie features, you've got to get your "business" right too.

We'll help you avoid some of the most common pitfalls of incorporating, setting up a company website and landing your first clients, plus more real-world filmmaking advice. Call in live with your questions or info to share tonight.

The Double Down Film Show...Filmmaking Reality Starts Here!

Date / Time: Wednesday March 11 - 9pm-10pm

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Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Listen To It Online Here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow