Hello Internet.
It’s been a while. have been away, not invested in my blog. I did however decide to get inspired. I’m a Drakoloid viewer and so today’s blog I decided to interview Drake Vegas the man who created the network “Drakoloid” himself. There are many deep dives throughout this interview.
Your probably asking why am I interviewing the founder of Drakoloid? Well If you did not know August 5, 2021 marks the 10 year anniversary of Drakoloid.
As a fan for the longest time I connected with Drakoloid at a young age because I felt this content was for viewers who were into non commercialized kids shows. I never liked the over exaggerated and unrealistic kids shows that were around in 2011. None of them could be relatable to any of them as an adolescent. So I took to the internet to look up home made animation on the days of message boards (social media before social media). I remember this show called “Carl In Cloud City” being talked about and someone posted a link to a livestream. I turn it on and this anime sci fi type of cartoon show that had a dark yet gay element to it is on. For the first time I saw a man and another man hold hands and that was my first experience seeing same sex relationships on screen. Before I was never exposed to any same sex or gay relationship to the screen maybe it’s because I come from a rural town? As an adult gay male I look back and see it was all fate. It helped me come to terms with my sexual awakening as a teenage closeted gay boy. From then on I kept going back to the stream to watch all the other shows such as Junglematic, Imperfect Patrick, Diaries Of Alices Bedroom, ARTic, High Schooled. 10 years later…. I still tune in.
For those who don’t know who Drake Vegas is he is a 25 year old online content webseries creator from Calgary, Canada. He founded and owns Drakoloid, the first online kids and teens channel network. The network launched on August 5, 2011 and has its own history.
Q1: What interested you into creating this brand and a brand that was in the kids/teen entertainment field?
I did not enjoy TV that was for kids my age at the time. I felt Kids Television as a whole was being watered down and was not well marketed. So I decided to make a network that was for all kids and teenagers. Something not too soft, not too boundary breaking either.
Q2: What programming software did you use to help develop the shows?
The simplest ones Windows Movie Maker, Sony Vegas and iMovie 09
Q3: Did you take any classes in media prior to launch?
Never. I learned all on my own along with the people I was working with to build it. Only some guidance from online professionals but no class of any sort.
Q4: What was the first show you created and how was it developed?
I honestly don’t know what would of been the first show I created because we put many ideas together and just started building. “Porto” was an asian syndicated animated show that was just to test placing anime cartoons, “Magic of Chat” was an online simulated game show that was all text and we had one live action show called “The Western Cave” a few of my friends and myself acted and wrote it.
Q5: Why didn’t you want to act in your own shows?
I tried it in “The Western Cave” I always would freeze up or be monotone with acting or even being on camera. I couldn’t do it. I am not animated enough to be in front of the camera.
Q6: Who we’re your inspirations growing up to create in film?
George Lucas and Steven Spilberg films are LEGEND. They are who I want to be in the future. I am even creating ideas they would create currently.
Q7: Did you know throughout school that you were planning to be in the entertainment industry creating shows?
Sort of but not so sure, I knew I loved creating, writing and camera work. But I started out with doing this as an experiment and for fun.
Q8: What was the inspiration behind creating Junglematic? And how was it like working with Matt Parker and Trina White?
Junglematic was based off a show called “Flight 29 Down” about people being stranded on an island. In Junglematic it was about domestic animals coming to life instead of the people. They're trying to find they’re way back to the city. Matt was a mind of his own, very creative, could do any voice and he wanted things done his way. Trina was more passive yet super kind and a comedian, she was down for anything.
Q9: Why did you get involved with livestream and not just youtube?
Youtube was an unpredictable platform at the time it was still in its early stages and the biggest fear was not knowing if the platform was going to last or if it was just going to be a fad like Myspace.
Q10: When the network launched on August 5, 2011 did you celebrate? What did you remember about that day?
Yeah my mom got dairy queen ice cream cake and we watched it on our big flat screen in the living room with the few people that helped and I streamed it. My mom was supportive of my creativity as long as I focused on finishing school.
Q11: Why was Ride Roader green lit as a show? Why did you want more risqué shows on a teen network?
Ride Roader was an idea presented by this cartoonist Kemp Easton who worked on animation forum boards back in the day. He did work for CollegeHumour and stuff like that. As I said previously I did not want too soft and Junglematic was more kid friendly. Ride Roader was different and we thought to give it a chance.
Q12: I heard Diaries of Alices Bedroom and After School were filmed in front of a live audience what was that like?
Yes, an audience of ten or less people haha. It was only like 3 crew members and then we would invite kids from the streets and put up posters to come to my house or the school to watch these shows be filmed. This caused a lot of pain though because the space got too filled and no one could move and by the end of the series we had to get rid of that aspect of the shows.
Q13: How did you work with so many cats on Carter The Cat? Was it CGI edited ever?
We would just film cats in our neighbourhood non stop and it was fun to chase them and then see what they would do. We would eventually use a green screen to help incorporate more aspects of the show. No CGI was ever used; we just would either let the cat talk with no mouth moving or we would wait till the cat opened his or her mouth. They were all cute and FLUFFY!
Q14: The same sex relationships in Carl In Cloud City was that intentional or was it meant to be subtle?
That show was made in Japan originally so the same sex relationships were written in Japanese and in that culture that types of relationships were normalized. In the english version its not fully omitted its subtle and they are framed in a way of a friendship.
Q15: How did Frakoloid come about?
We wanted our own TGIF so we came up with Frakoloid to become the Friday Night hot spot of the network. Friday Nights on Drakoloid.
Q16: Did you have a favourite Frakoloid line up or host?
I have two favourite ones, the first one with Junglematic, Ride Roader, Diaries of Alice’s Bedroom and Carl In Cloud City. I also liked ARTic, High Schooled, TeenHood and Rock The Basement.
Q17: Why did you guys stop the hosts for Frakoloid?
It was becoming too time consuming and we had to focus on other parts of the network.
Q18: Is there an episode of Are You Ready to Scream That you found too horrifying to air?
A Story About A Pedophile that was just haunting and felt too close to home.
Q19: Why was Carl In Cloud City cancelled abruptly? was there suppose to be a second season?
It was due to differences between the creators and the network. If we came up with a negotiation we would have renewed it.
Q20: How did the idea of ARTic come up?
ARTic was an idea that formed many times it was originally going to be about a celebrities life going to normal life then it changed to a performing arts school then a fine arts school.
Q21: There has been many cast switches in ARTic over the years? Is there a favourite cast you like?
The original five cast members were great, I also loved the cast that had Rhys Clarke, Andrew Bouchahine and Jack Ripoff in it. The current one is also fun to work with too.
Q22: It was rumoured you and Sarah Kellysen left on bad terms after 10 years of working together?
She was one of the best kids I had and she is one of the most talented kid actors of all time. She is very driven and could act circles around the veteran actors on the shows she was on.
Q23: Nicholas Merchant starred in a few of your shows. What was it like working with him? He was more hands on with the process than your other stars prior?
He is extremely driven and creative and also a perfectionist. One of the most talented kids we had on the network and one of the most talented kid actors of all time. Very powerful mind and he definitely earned my trust to make his own series too.
Q24: Will the series finale of High Schooled “Camp Kenny” ever release?
I hope so! Nick Merchant is open to it; they have a few minor unfilmed scenes they need to film that are necessary to complete it. I don’t know if that will happen but who knows? Nick Merchant wants ever detail perfected! I told him he can take as long as he wants with it and I will be open to help distribute it whenever he chooses to do so.
Q25: What was the truth behind The Selina McKay Show being cancelled? Did you and Selina not get along or was that all rumour?
Like the other two Nick and Sarah she is the same way very driven, creative and she wanted to create her own show. I gave her the opportunity because she was a fan of my shows and she had the idea in mind. It wore her out over time though. She is an incredibly talented and funny girl.
Q26: Would you ever write a sketch comedy show like Selina McKay or Rock The Basement again?
Maybe, If the timing is right.
Q27: What is it like working with an international comedian like Ron Gomes?
Ronaldo Gomes is one of the most talented international actors ever, he is driven, creative, always willing to put the best product out. There was a language barrier in the beginning but overtime Ron improved and got better with his english. He has improved each episode of Midnights On-Air. I think this show has helped him with his english. He is also doing some great work with another upcoming Drakoloid star Mike Barkhoff. That is helping a lot too. I love working with international actors.
Q28: What is upcoming on Midnights On-Air with John Lopez?
We have a Vacation episode coming up in the next couple weeks here and then in the Fall we have a Halloween episode. So a few seasonal themed episodes.
Q29: Why did you leave animation? And how did you get back into it?
The animation company that helped produce my previous animation was changing and I decided to end my relationship with them. I got back into it by learning adobe animate in my design class. Then I just got creative with it.
Q30: What inspired the four animation shows coming out this month?
Our Jurassic Family was inspired by The Simpsons and South Park we wanted to create a family orientated show that could be a bit edgy but also fun and then we made it The Simpsons with them as talking animals. The Vox’s was inspired by retro futuristic comics and super hero comics. Adventurson Star was inspired by Star Wars and Marvel we wanted to create our own Marvel brand. Red Reverend was an idea from Richard Truman.
Q31: Is Weird Paul’s schedule different from the other ARTic cast members?
We work around his tour schedule since he has seniority on the show.
Q32: One decision you thought was best for the network? and one you regret?
Returning to animation, I regret cancelling House of Adopted Adam so early on since I thought that was a fun series.
Q33: Do you have a favourite show of yours?
That’s like picking favourite children haha. I can’t do that.
Q34: Do you think Drakoloid will be around for a 20th anniversary?
Never say never.
No comments:
Post a Comment