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Idran posted:So how much do you have this whole thing plotted out, if you were leaving hints like this from the start? Not asking for spoilers, but do you already know what you're going to do for the next few Christmases, and how much do you already have planned? And did you have it planned out that much from the start? Well, it's never the same twice, but these days by the time the story starts I know where I'm going with it. Year one was just something silly I made up as I went along, but this was a good couple of years before I posted it here. It was just for me and a few friends, and originally it was just text, if you can believe that. I didn't even do one every day. So when I posted it here, there were a few days where I had to fill in the blanks, and that's where the story of the quantum chocolate came in. I only had the idea to add pictures a couple of days before the thread started. These days I tend to have more of an outline before I begin. I make a little map of what to put in on what day, and try to stick to it. In year two, I had the story of Dooper and the Snowman from the start, but other bits resolved as I went. I knew I was building up to the David Bowie footage all along, but I didn't imagine I was going to draw him as well, until I'd sketched the "dads" for the Snatavity play and realised I had a chance at making familiar faces recognisable. I only discovered the second bit of Bowie footage (where he reports back during Labyrinth) something like the day before I posted it. But the big last minute decision in the 2nd year was the song - I only thought of it on December 22nd. This time, I basically had it all mapped out, the only question was whether I'd be able to get the pictures done in time, and what I'd have to change if I couldn't. For the most part I stuck to the script, although there were a couple of instances where I had to bump them over to the next day. In all those cases, it turned out to be the better place for them. I don't make it a habit to really plan for the next year, largely because I can only do it if I have no other work in December. It's a full-time job, more than full-time on certain days, so I can never promise I'll be free to do it the next year. That said, while I was doing year 2 I had an idea what I'd be doing this year (and you can see hints towards it at the end), and I do have some sense of what I'll be doing next time, whenever that turns out to be. If I can't do it in 2009, and you can find my blog by then, I'll definitely keep you posted as to why not. Maybe I'll be stuck doing something else but you'll like it more, who knows. I do have a couple of decent ideas for the next calender though, so I have no plans of actually quitting. Wandering Knitter posted:After reading through the first one there's just one thing I want to know. Because the spirit of Christmas would have to be an exciteable child, wouldn't it? When you're little, it's all right to be selfish and immature at Christmas, it's half the fun, so that's who he is. Plus I thought it'd make people laugh. Wandering Knitter posted:You better make one next year! I'll try! Buml0r fucked around with this message at Dec 28, 2008 around 11:19 |
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Dec 28, 2008 11:16
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Wow! We were a bit overwhelmed by the response back when Buml0r posted
on the first, I'm amazed to hear so many of you saying that this really
added to your Christmas. Helping him make this really made mine and
looking back at how much we managed to do is very satisfying. Even
though I did get a bit grouchy on some days. There are images I should
have started earlier in the month and didn't, so I got myself a little
wound up now and then. But seeing everyone join in after the posts
always made it completely worth it! I will have to ask Buml0r how many
images we actually produced in the last few weeks. Oh and the giant steampunk bot on Dr Who was VERY calendar-ish and we loved it, don't listen to the Cranium Nerds! 
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Dec 28, 2008 11:16
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It's impossible to explain to people that Christmas means Doctor Who, mince pies and Buml0r. Thank you anyway.
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Dec 28, 2008 18:25
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Radio PhoolCat posted:My outer child was as well! Egbert (12) has been catching up with me on the last 2 years threads with me skipping the naughty words and Hubert (~15) has been reading them on his own. And they've both been bouncing round the house singing WIGGLE HE! in jolly abandon as well as having it playing on repeat on several computer speakers. That is maddeningly heartwarming. Kids should learn WIGGLE HE! in school  You getting this bum and Abby? Little goon-lets love your work!
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Dec 28, 2008 18:46
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Egbert's wiggling was related to me in a behind the scenes discussion
fairly early on in the month, and I've been quite delighted ever since.
Legend has it that he had the song playing on loop for what seemed like
the better part of a day, after catching his father humming quietly to
himself in the supermarket and demanding to know who mecha snatter is
and why you'd want to wiggle him. It's one of those heartwarming family Christmas stories and I hope to remember it. But then, I hope to remember a lot of things. What was the question again?
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Dec 28, 2008 19:28
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Three cheers for Dave and Abby! This year was awesome! Thanks for putting up with my prattling on while you two worked! Also, now that the story's over for the year.. Has anyone else figured out the meaning behind Rose Suchek's name? I hear her ads for her ladder's even are in POEMS! "when up on the roof, there's a Rose Suchek ladder"
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Dec 29, 2008 13:50
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^^^ I have no idea how you figured that out. This is the best internet thing I have ever participated in. It was a joy to read, and the action came through beautifully. I know I'm not the only one who saw the events playing out in full animation in my mind's eye. I just missed the calendar last year, has anybody saved the past ones for goons without archives? Robotic T-Rex posted:I couldn't beleive it when I watched "Have I Got News For You" on Christmas Eve and saw Brian Blessed dressed as Santa Claus bellowing "IT'S CHRISTMAS" at Noddy Holder.
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Dec 29, 2008 16:42
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RandomFerret posted:^^^ I have no idea how you figured that out. I had a bit of help 
Jadrie fucked around with this message at Dec 29, 2008 around 17:31 |
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Dec 29, 2008 17:28
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I really love your art style and your story too! (I especially enjoyed noming chocolate!) I'm rather new here and would like to read last year's advent but I can't find it.  If you have the link I would greatly appreciate it. If you've already posted it then ignore me.
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Dec 29, 2008 17:41
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MysteryAngel87 posted:I really love your art style and your story too! (I especially enjoyed noming chocolate!) Just go back to the OP on the first page. There's links aplenty.
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Dec 29, 2008 17:44
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Jadrie posted:"when up on the roof, there's a Rose Suchek ladder" This was great and all but now I really need to punch Buml0r.
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Dec 29, 2008 20:26
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Buml0r, my dreary and depressing Christmas was transformed by this
amazing thread. Thank you, and I can't wait for the next one!
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Dec 29, 2008 20:57
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There are still one or two more things to show you between now and
when/if this year's song gets finished. Here's a couple of drawings
people sent me during the month. This is an Antisnatter by Overdose, who apparently drew it with a mouse, of all things.  And this is picked up from one of my less subtle but also less reognisable references. This is Snowman Firman and Icicle Bay - the two balladeers who retell the legends of the Titans - as drawn by Darth Hanbidge.  This year's pictures were inked on a separate sheet to the pencils in many cases, so by way of testing out our new scanner (our last one, which I was using throughout this thread, was fine for inks but smudgy and horrid for pencils), here's the first version of this year's first image:  If Dooley looks clumsily Photoshopped in, that's because he was. I wasn't happy with the Dooley I drew in-situ, so I did it again. There was quite a bit of that this year. You should see my first go at Bob Marley. It was basically an unrecognisable wincing bean. Keen-eyed/bored people will notice I tightened the composition of this one a bit afterwards as well. Buml0r fucked around with this message at Dec 30, 2008 around 09:33 |
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Dec 30, 2008 09:28
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Buml0r--last night I had a dream about this thread. Specifically, that
I was in charge of drawing part of it. I'm not sure whether this is
awesome or pathetic. Both, maybe. It was a nice dream, though.
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Dec 30, 2008 18:53
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Thank you Bulm0r for another great advent thread. All the best to you in 2009.
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Dec 31, 2008 01:46
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I've just been back to re-read the first two, and as much as everyone
keeps saying it, it really struck me how much work you put into these.
You're a marvel. Thank you so much, again.
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Dec 31, 2008 14:19
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Buml0r posted:Legend has it that he had the song playing on loop for what seemed like the better part of a day, after catching his father humming quietly to himself in the supermarket and demanding to know who mecha snatter is and why you'd want to wiggle him.
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Dec 31, 2008 17:25
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A big thanks to both of you for all the work you put in again this
year. I love the fact that despite all the silly language and childish
nature there's a great story with plenty of subtle little clues
scattered throughout. The binding of so many different well-known
Christmas themes into one story is making me believe that the Advent
calendars are the only canonical version of Christmas events (now I
sound like a cranium nerd  ).I was called into the office today for the first time since before Christmas and was amazed to see that easily 3/4 of the PCs had one of your fantastic drawings set as the wallpaper. Considering there's only one other goon who works there I guess that even people who haven't been along for the ride really like your artwork. Happy New Year to you all m80s, and only 334 days until we can open more dores and nom more choklit!
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Dec 31, 2008 20:57
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Just wanted to say thanks as well. This is one of my new favorite Christmas specials.
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Jan 02, 2009 17:27
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