MARKET RESEARCH:

When we observe the monthly viewing figures for terrestrial and paid-for
channels,
there
is
a
distinct lack of diversity
present
within
these
leagues1. Across the BBC
and ITV services, we can
see that soap operas,
Mary Berry and University
Challenge
perform
consistently. This suggests
that the viewers are of an
older generation and have
settled into a routine
which
dictates
their
evenings; there are certain
programs that they will
always watch at their
regular
times.
Consequentially, they may
be less open to new shows
being
introduced
into
these slots. This does tell
us, however, that potential
products
must
be
innovative and unique,
with
subtle
traits
of
popular drama, i.e. cliffhangers, bold characters
and turbulent friendships
etc. Although this is not
my
primary
target
audience, it could prove beneficial to incorporate elements of what they enjoy
into my own work to create wider interest.
As of 2014, entertainment had the largest share of audience members,
succeeded by drama and documentaries 2. In regards to The Adventures of
Pigeuo and Bryan, this is a bittersweet realisation. On the one hand, there is
significant interest in the genre which means that there is the inevitable chance
of obtaining strong ratings, and adverts gaining attention in the breaks of similar,
establish shows. The popularity also suggests that the viewers will be more open
to new concepts, and more inclined to watch them when they air. As such, my
work will (hopefully!) not open to a semi-interested crowd, but a deeply
intrigued, curious and tolerant base of people. This does mean, though, that
other creators will have sensed an opportunity to work within this area as a
direct consequence of its market domination. Because of this, I will have to
1 http://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/monthly-top-30/
2 http://www.barb.co.uk/trendspotting/analysis/share-by-genre/

compete with established directors/writers and truly nail the concept that I am
pitching; we do not want another animated family sitcom, nor do we want more
Zombie dramas. Instead, I need to identify
the gap in the schedule which affords the
perfect time to premiere my project with
maximum interest-and few conflicts with
other programs.
The FOX listings show that proceeding The
Walking Dead at
21:00
pm,
a
combination of Seth
MacFarlanes
Family Guy and
American Dad! are
aired.
The
Adventures
of
could act as a prelude to the first offering of the latter
works as it is a conglomeration of the traits of each of
these shows; we have the hostility and tension of the
apocalypse and the dangers of the undead but there is
also a two-headed pigeon who talks to our adolescent
protagonist. It is almost a halfway house, a transitionary
point-these aspects will serve to intrigue the (relatively)
young fans of horror and the late teenage viewers of the
comedy which follows. Furthering this is the fact that it
does not slot into any one category; as much as Pigeuo
and Bryan is an obscure concept, it has the ability to
resonate with many, as well as fulfilling their checklists
for a good program. For as many monsters that are slain,
there should be as many darkly comic moments to
remind us that we need to look to the positives and
accept what is happening; there may be a Zombie apocalypse, but that does not
have to mean joy and light-heartedness has to be killed along with what we
know.
The question still remains; do we truly need another product like this? The
answer is a resounding yes. Whilst the childrens cartoon/animation market is
thriving, albeit slightly oversaturated at points, the adult equivalents have
stagnated. As funny as Family Guy is, and dark The Walking Dead has become,
there are no products which broadcast regularly in the UK that try to compete
with either, try to incorporate various elements, from various genres, and make
something that just enjoyable; people attempt to make something that they feel
will be well received critically, but ignore what they themselves like, where their
loves and interests lie. From a creative stance, I would despise having to make a
Rom-Com, say, just to gain attention or acclaim as I detest the genre-In other
words, you cannot expect others to like the direction in which you are taking a
piece if it is a) stale, b) clichd or c) something that means nothing to you as a
creator. With Pigeuo and Bryan, I have taken everything that I like and attempted
to forge an off-the-wall product that does not fear the constrictions of a single
style, but embraces the conventions differentiations between most items in the

film market. Equally, there are none which straddle the line between horror and
humour. The efforts of animators seem to be centred at replicating Adventure
Time or creating its worthy companions, (Steven Universe, Clarence, etc.)
There is no denying the
sheer
level
of
entertainment that is
found
in
the
aforementioned
programs, but where
do
we
turn
to
something edgier? For
something which is
permitted to disregard
subtlety in how its
violence and comedy is
portrayed? There is
nowhere.
Admittedly,
anime is an option but
for many, their interest does
The Cartoon Network schedule
not extend that far (many of these are only accessible on the internet in the UK);
often, the obscure topics investigated can be too strange3 for the mass market.
Instead, my project is able to draw influence from the exciting and imaginative
items available for the younger viewer but have taken them and manipulated it
into something which can entertain the young adult target audience.
Thematically and stylistically, The Adventures of incorporates video-game
sensibilities which help to place the overly exuberant and odd characters in more
of a context. This enables helps the plot to seem exaggerated and larger than
life, which corresponds with the post-apocalyptic subject mastter. Additionally, it
provides me with the scope to include gratuitous gore and make the landscape
an incredibly bloody place, not unlike a Fatality
from Mortal Kombat. The South Park episode
Make Love not Warcraft4 parodies gamer culture and
those who work intensively to upgrade
characters etc. The majority of the episode is
set in a Warcraft setting, meaning that my
notion of creating a program in an
environment like a game is not entirely new.
It
is, however, a unique variation as there will be
no returns to reality or a clear indication as to whether this is a new actuality for
the cast or is still based in total fiction.
The aesthetic of the piece will be Tim Burton-esque in how muted colours will be
used to convey the dilapidation and morbidity of a world run by the mutated
dead. This will demonstrate that everything we know will cease to exist if we
choose to/are forced to neglect our creations; it connotes dreamlike qualities as
3 http://boredbug.com/15-strange-unconventional-anime-series/2/
4 https://vimeo.com/89858791

our once vibrant cities retreat into the

Earth, leaving no indication of their

presence,
of
their
once
wondrous existence. To future
generations, if there are any,
they will be but ruins, a
suggestion of a long forgotten past. On the other hand, the characters will be
bright and vibrant, portraying them as beacons of hope in this post-apocalyptic
wasteland. Like in Adventure Time, they will seem friendly and approachable,
appear to be good natured, before they begin to fight Zombies and recognise the
harsh realities of-and what must be done-to survive in a world where regulation
has died with the people. With the previously mentioned program using its
vibrancy to attract young children who most likely have good intentions, the
tones of the characters in my piece will contradict the environment and the
actions taking place within it, at the same time as telling the audience that there
is an ounce of this endearing child-like innocence left in them-saying that they
are not bad heroes, but doing what they can at their stage in life to survive and
protect what is left of the civilisation that they know. This technique is unique in
itself; it will cause the viewer to ponder on the definition of morality in the
situations being presented and if everything is as it seems and is as clear-cut as
we claim that things in todays world.