The episode came out great and so did the ratings.  Beatnik finger snaps to everyone involved.  Thanks for making the jokes look good- especially the subtle Shawhank homage.

And if you catch the text on the cat poster, you’ll see a second nod to Andy Dufresne and Red. Another piece of Level Up trivia: the “leak” in this episode (the Morthorn Worm) was named after Kip Thorne and Mike Morris; the physicists to first demonstrate the possibility of traversable wormholes…  Not that we expected anyone to notice that, but when it comes to naming things it’s fun to throw that kind of stuff in there.  SCIENCE!

Thanks again to everyone who watched, everyone involved and our fellow humorists on the Level Up writing staff who also penned all the light-hearted calamity.  Keep watching the show for more jokes, sci-fi hijinks and obscure references.

This is the show Matt and I have been writing for over the last year.  If you haven’t read any of the other posts on this site, then let me educate your brain.  It’s about high school kids battling video game creatures that leak out of the internet.  It’s got gaming, monsters, medieval weirdos, sci-fi stuff and as many jokes as we could legally cram into a half hour.

Man, a few times we went over the legal joke limit and the joke police broke down the doors to the writer’s room and dragged all of us downtown.  Most of the joke police are officers who’ve been kicked out of the fashion police for being too snarky- so you know they’re tough.  And they won’t think twice about telling you that your socks clash with your neon green fedora.  I gotta stop wearing that fedora.  They’re right, it doesn’t go with anything.

Tune in tomorrow and next week too.  Gaelan, Jessie, Connor, Aimee, Lonny and the rest of the cast are hilarious.

This is will be your first look at the show I’ve been writing on this year. Be sure to check it out, or at least peruse all the vids they have up on the Cartoon Network site and Facebook.

Below is a link to a little behind the scenes sneak peek:

The show isn’t on the air yet, but I’ll give you a little background.  Level Up is comedy/action TV show about four friends who must battle monsters that are leaking out of their favorite video game and into the real world.  Each week they have to deal with a villainous creature, or help a video game character who’s stranded IRL, all while tackling everyday high school stuffs.  The premise is right up the nerdy alley Matt and I hang out in.

Within a week of getting this job, Matt and I were hauling ass across America in a Honda Civic I permanently borrowed from my sister; moving our lives from Astoria, Queens to Los Angeles, Los Angeles.  It was a bummer to leave New York, but the show tons of fun and everyone involved is super talented.  Like I said, it has yet to air; everything is still in production.  However at some point in the near days of future past, Cartoon Network will be rolling out a Level Up TV movie followed by a hot stack of half hour episodes.  So check back for updates on when you can watch it.

The Great Final Fantasy Debate- hosted by Anime World Order

And just like most sleepovers, nearly everyone came dressed up as cartoon characters.

A pair of Gurren Lagann cosplayers who were also fans! So cool.

Matt and I were featured guests at the con.  We hosted a couple panels, one of which being a “how-to” on animation.  I guess Matt and I harbor a lot of deep seated rage towards animation because it spiraled into “the worst motivational speech ever”.  We had to make sure people knew what they were getting into!  Don’t worry, there was a happy ending.

Matt with a 100 Sided Die!

Regardless of any dismal tirades, we had a great time.  Got to meet some fans and hang out with some awesome peoples: Daryl, Clarissa and Gerald from Anime World Order, Alain and Kate from Reverse Thieves, Erin and Noah- the Ninja Consultants, Ed Chavez from Vertical and Walter Amos to name a few.

Big thanks to Evan Minto for hooking us up with this awesome event.  He may in fact be one of the nicest guys ever.  To Dominic Difranzo for being an organizational mastermind who made sure Matt and I were well accommodated whilst away from home.  To all of the staff, especially everyone who gave us rides because we were babies and couldn’t hike through the snow.  To Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for hosting the entire event. And of course, thanks to everyone who came out to our panels or stopped by our table. You’re all the best.

If you’re lucky enough to be in Troy, New York come by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for Genericon!  For Tax Reasons will be hosting two panels:

Friday @ 6:15pm- For Tax Reasons: LIVE AND IN YOUR FACE (DCC 318)

We’ll be screening cartoons, sharing anectodes, answering questions and finally addressing the rumors that Matt and I are, in fact, time traveling robots.  Included as a special bonus: a showing of a never before released Ronin Dojo cartoon!

Saturday @ 12pm- It’s Animation, Stupid! (CII 3051)

Matt and I will share our thoughts on independently producing cartoons, navigating the creative process and showcasing work through film festivals and the web.  Bring your animation queries!  We shall provide the answers. . . or trail off incoherently before changing the subject to early 90s cartoon shows we enjoyed.  Exo-Squad!

Here’s the schedule for more info

We’ll also have a table somewhere.  We’ll be selling some tee’s and goofing around.  So stop on by.

48 straight hours of sci-fi, anime, and gaming (of the video, table and live action varieties).  Of course, like any self-respecting convention, there will be PANELS PANELS PANELS!

We’ll be running two of the previously exclaimed panels.  A how-to animate panel- where we’ll discuss producing independent shorts, the creative process and showcasing work.  As well as a screening and Q&A panel- where we’ll take on all the scathing questions and criticisms the viewing public has been too afraid to voice over the internet.  And as a special surprise† we’ll be screening our never released Ronin Dojo Community College DX cartoon!

Go to genericon.union.rpi.edu for more details.  We’ll be chilling there all weekend, and should have a table up. So if you’re in the NY area, come around and hang out.

†no longer a surprise, specialty withstanding

You can read more about it on my art blog.  Might even try printing up some posters of it.