Spring 2009 Design Development Course Project: Group Project to Design a Drama or Sit-Com for Cable or TV Network Series making use of the Design Development Process.
Parsons Design + Management Students: Matthew Parrotti, Lark Morgenstern, Min Liu, Taylor Huntley
Parsons Faculty, Robert Rabinovitz, Associate Professor
8. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
DEFINE
Reception
Create a television sitcom. Use the charcters that were developed individually to shape plots and
create a cast. Show concepts should be relevant to themes of love, responsibility and technology.
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9. WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
PHASE I
DEFINE
Research Pauly Cranz
Pushing Daisies: touted as “a forensic fairytale,” has a distinctive
storybook-esque style that is continued within the overall
design of the visual aspects, with a goal of “a storybook come
to life. Wanting everything to look almost like an illustration”.
The distinctive visual style of the show is complemented by
noticeably quirky traits in the naming of characters and locations
and also in plotlines themselves.
Leave it to Beaver: a 1950s and 1960s family-oriented American
television situation comedy about an inquisitive but often naive
boy named Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver and his adventures
at home, in school, and around his suburban neighborhood.
CONTENT: The juvenile viewer finds amusement in Beaver’s
adventures while learning that certain behaviors and choices
(such as skipping school or faking an illness in order to be the
recipient of “loot” from parents and schoolmates) are wrong and
invite reprimand. SIGNITURE SHOW ELEMENTS: The show employs
contemporary kid-slang extensively.
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10. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
DEFINE
Dennis the Menace: a television series based on the popular
Hank Ketcham comic strip of the same name. Dennis is an
energetic, well meaning, but trouble prone boy and sometimes
a mischievous child. He often tangles with peace-and-quiet-
loving neighbor. Dennis finds himself involved in all kinds of
wild adventures (some of which are fantasy-based like the
international espionage and trips into the past stories) but always
manages to save the day.
Dot.com
30 Rock: The series takes place behind the scenes of a fictional
live sketch comedy series depicted as airing on NBC. The 30
Rock pilot focused on the head writer of a variety show who has
to manage her relationships with the show’s volatile star and its
charismatic executive producer. The storyline evolved into one
that dealt with a head writer of a variety show who dealt with both
the stars as well as the show’s new network executive.
Real Sex: As its name implies, Real Sex is a sexually explicit
“magazine” which “explores sex ‘90s style.” Real Sex explores
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11. WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
PHASE I
DEFINE
human sexuality, from the latest sexual fads to casual sex festivals
Research
and home production of pornographic movies. The show typically
explores three to four topics each episode. Segments are
separated by street interviews with random people, relating to the
episode’s topics.
G String Divas: documentary series. The show was filmed in
2000, and follows the lives of strippers working in a Bristol, PA
gentlemen’s club.
Phoebe & Dick
Samantha Who?: television series, which is filmed in the single-
camera format, plays off of the concept of its lead character’s
amnesia. Sam’s journey helps people understand that people
do have the ability to change, as long as we give them the
opportunity to.
Cupid: this series is about a larger-than-life character who may
or may not be the Roman god of love — Cupid — sent to earth
to bring 100 couples together before he is allowed to return to
Mt. Olympus. Whether by fate or other circumstances, the main
character is under the care of psychiatrist and self-help author
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12. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
DEFINE
Dr. Claire McCrae, whose own work is often based in romantic
relationships. Claire’s philosophy on true love is that it’s the result
of building friendship and compatibility.
Curb Your Enthusiasm: Most episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm
follow an unusual plot structure. Each episode typically involves
David becoming involved in a situation beyond his control, which
he then perpetuates with his intellectually narcissistic and inept
behavior. His actions, intentional or not, tend to be put back
on him in related situations later in the episode. Majority of the
episodes entail the main character meeting with a psychiatrist.
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13. WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
PHASE I
IDEATE
Show Creation
Group members created six show concepts; ideas arose from the interaction between
characters and research on previously successful premises.
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14. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IDEATE
Show Creation
Delinquents Pauly Cranz Animal Battles
Dot.com Phoebe & Dick Garden of Edith
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15. WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
PHASE I
EVALUATE
Show Selection
After team analysis and class discussion six shows were reduced to three. These three
shows were chosen for their relevance to the themes, overall strength and originality.
Pauly Cranz, Dot.com and Phoebe & Dick were chosen for further development.
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16. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
SELECTION
Show Selection
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17. WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
PHASE I
IMPLEMENTATION
Show Developement
Group begins to develope each sitcom in detail. Discussing the character roles and
traits within each show and placing them in different settings. A rough synopsis of each
sitcom is created.
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18. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
Setting
There is always something to be afraid of.....
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19. WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
PHASE I
IMPLEMENTATION
Synopsis
Phoebe is a 26 year old psychologist, with an expertise in phobias. She has seven main
clients with various fears that she treats both individually and collectively. Through her
trials and tribulations we discover that Phoebe herself faces a phobia of her own that
she has been hiding since puberty.
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20. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
Gettig to know the characters
Certain characters are placed within the three different concepts. Certain characters
may be used in multiple shows. Characters may take on different roles and
characteristics depending on the context of each show, but core traits will remain
constant.
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22. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
DICK EDITH PHOEBE
Good-looking hot dog vendor. Peladophobia-Fear of bald In love with hot dog vendor,
Love interest of Phoebe. men Killed her husband Richard a.k.a.Dick.Roommate
Feels that he has terrible luck because he was bald. Buried and best friend to Nico. Won’t
with women, nothing ever him underneath her flower go to clubs or the museum of
seems to pan out right for him pots in the back porch.Brings a sex.Won’t eat bananas.Wrote a
romantically. cockatoo to therapy sessions book called “Facing your fear”.
for moral support. 23
24. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
COLEDON BARBARA EVEY
Venustraphobia - Fear of Eisoptrophobia - fear of Pediophobia - Fear of dolls,
beautiful women, Wears mirrors, or seeing a reflection. Evie is friends with Paul Cranz
distorted sunglasses all the She believes in Wiccan, her and Ron, they tag along to her
time. Made it in Hollywood parents don’t know.Went to the therapy sessions.They suspect
missing for a rare birth defect; same high school as Phoebe, their neighbor Dot, of offing
two pinky toes. dated all the boys she liked. Ted, her husband
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26. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
NICO ZACH TYE
Phoebes roomate. Is non- Ablutophobia-fear or bathing, Coulrophobia - fear of clowns
threatening to Phoebe as a washing, or cleaning Is a After watching the movie “It”,
male and roommate, as he nomad Decided to come to his dad played a prank on him.
is ill-equipped. The only one the city to track down his He has feared a clowns face
who knows Phoebe’s secret mother who left him when he from that point onward.
fear. Attempts to help her by was 12.
unexpected exposure 27
30. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
Synopsis
Show within a show. An adult film studio behind the scenes, making an internet
website carnal knowledge. Awkward and interesting situations manifest themselves
behind the crew members various ages, and quarky personalities.
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32. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
SID DOT RON
“FlaSid”, punk, just out of high Hairstylist, make-up artist, Nerdy little kid, oblivious, full of
school, on a mission to undo a mother of Ron, hot babe, down wonder, explores the studio and
silly highschool reputation. to earth, victim of a run-away runs into some interesting objects
husband and situations, only to be sugar
coded with white lies.
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34. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
EDITH NICO RODNEY
veteran porn star, scenario Acclaimed French director, Veteran porn star, stunt double,
writer, producer, gives off and flamboyant, ill equipped, epic, stud
affluent attutide but she is not recruits porn stars with small
rich. Witty members because of this,
claiming they have beautiful
renaissance body.
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36. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
PHOEBE PORNSTARS
Phallophobic, awkward, girl on Random Bimbos, airheads,
girl expert, in fearful of her first gorgeous
falic experience. Frequently
vomits on set.
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38. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
Storyboard
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39. WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
PHASE I
IMPLEMENTATION
Setting
Coloring on houses like crayons in a coloring book.....
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40. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
Synopsis
Outlandish adventures of two eleven and a half year old boys in suburbia. The town
and the neighborhood is flipped upside down when the houses become coloring
books. Love takes its toll on Pauly when he first lays his eyes on Ron Pinkleton’s
gorgeous cookie baking mother, Dot Pinkleton. There is a young love that develops
inside Ron when badass tomboy Evey Jameson joins the mischief. Re-occurring
themes of love and responsibility. The kids relationships with forms of authority; the
lack luster police, Sid the bully, school faculty and man-sitter.
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42. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
RON NICO SID
Thin freckled nerd. Push-over, Air head, theatre freak, carried Ron’s enemy, jealous, insecure,
mommas boy, loves to read. away with his own imagination, short temper, irrational.
Only has one friend ; Pauly irresponsible. Too busy with
Cranz. Enemy; Sid the Bully himself to be pay attention to
Ron, as he his sneaking out of
the house by strategy of Paul.
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44. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
PAULY EDITH
Main character, leader, drags Sixty year old widow in the
Ron into all the mischief. No neighborhood, former artist
adult supervision, brave, smart, catches Pauly red handed
independent. becomes his friend. Enjoys the
company of the boys.
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46. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
EVEY DOT
Tomboy, wears comic 70s housewife polka dot
book tighty whities, tough, dress, red hair, red lipstick,
blackmails her way into sweet loving, overprotective,
hanging out with Ron and supportive mother of Ron.
Paul after catching them Smiles so often that she’s
multiple times in their acts of almost plastic.
vandalism. 47
48. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
Storyboard
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49. WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
PHASE I
EVALUATE
Final Selection
Final two cuts made, in order to focus on the sitcom with the most
potential according to the following:
I. Product Line Potential
II. Color Scheme
III. Relevance to Themes
(Love, Responsibility & Tech)
V. Group/Class Feedback
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51. WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
PHASE I
IMPLEMENTATION
Episode break down
The group solidified their original ideas with help from their moodboards to create a
season of episodes. Each episode has a small synopsis. It will be a twelve episode
season. The second season will be created upon the success of the original season.
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52. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
IMPLEMENTATION
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53. WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
PHASE I
IMPLEMENTATION
Episode break down
Pilot: “The Grass is Always Greener” Pauly Cranz, an unusual ten-year old from Naples
Florida is introduced as the antagonist of the show. After discovering his love of crayons at
a tender age of two, Pauly has upgraded his obsessive love of art from coloring books to
coloring houses, along with his side kick Ron.
Episode 2: “Brown-noser” Sid has started terrorizing Ron and Paul, stealing their skateboards
and demanding their lunches on their way to school. When Sid accidentally breaks Paul’s
favorite skateboard, ultimate rivalry is forged and the duo plans the ultimate revenge.
Episode 3: “ Green-eyed Monster” Dot thinks that Paul’s parents neglect him, so she gives
extra attention to Paul and makes his favorite chocolate cookies and hangs his drawing on
her fridge, only to further escalate Paul’s infatuation with Dot. Ron finds Paul hanging out at his
house with Dot when he was supposed to be at school and becomes jealous.
Episode 4: “ Blue-balled” Pauly tells Dot that his parents are never home, which leads Dot
to hire Nico the man-sitter for Pauly. Nico is a man sitter by day and a porn-star filmmaker
by night, and brings Paul and Dot to his house where the meet his phallophobic and semi-
neurotic Phoebe.
Episode 5: “ Caught Red-handed” Ron and Paul are tagging a neighbor’s house, but doesn’t
suspect that a new rebel, Evey, sees them tagging the house while hiding in the bushes. After
being sent blackmailed pictures and letters, they finally meet and to Ron and Paul’s shock,
discover that Evey is a girl and accepts her as part of the group,
Episode 7: “Tickled Pink” Evey drags Ron and Paul to start her therapy sessions with Phoebe,
who has difficulty helping Evey when Ron and Paul start tagging her walls and house with
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54. PHASE I
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
phallic symbols. Nico tries to help her by exposing himself randomly to her in hopes of her
getting through her fear.
Episode 8: “Little White Lie” Evey, Ron and Paul spy on the oldest neighbor on the block, Edith,
and sees her digging her precious flowers in her backyard late one night. The next day, they
find out her husband has gone missing. Ron, Paul and Evie are in for a shocking surprise when
they go “digging” for the truth.
Episode 9: “Scarlet Fever” Nico has to shoot his porn film but needs his babysitting money so
he brings the kid gang with him to the set, and also brings Phoebe to help him shoot the film
while navigating the kids around from the actual porn set. Hilarity ensues when Phoebe tries to
face her fear and Paul questions the hired actor “Superman” his actual talent.
Episode 10: “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” Phoebe accompanies Nico to a trip in New York
for a porn industry conference, and Nico tries to help her overcome her fear by taking her to
the Museum of Sex and a night of grinding at the Mansion Nightclub. Phoebe ends up falling in
love with a hot dog vendor.
Episode 11: “Shades of Grey” Evey learns about Pauly’s crush on Dot and tells Ron, only
to cause a huge fight. Sid, who has been seething to get revenge on Pauly kidnaps Ron.
However, Ron learns a secret about Sid that eventually causes them to become cautious but
respectable acquaintances.
Season Finale: “Somewhere Under the Rainbow” Pauly, still feeling guilty and mad towards
Ron, starts tagging carelessly and finally gets caught by the cops. Dot gets a phone call in the
middle of the night, only to learn the truth about Pauly.; that Pauly is schizophroenic and that
the reason she never sees his parents is because Pauly has been living alone for the last six
months.
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56. PHASE II
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
RE DEFINE
Using the color scheme, premise, themes and characters of Pauly Cranz various products
will be designed.
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57. WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
PHASE II
IMPULSE
Rapid fire ideas
cookies,
backpacks, pf-
flyers, lunch boxes,
nike dunks, plants
tatoos, comic books, with colorable vase
art kits, board games,
skateboards, graffiti
book/kit, cokies,
puzzles, colorful
glasses, soda toys, punk leather
jackets (sid),
organic hawaiian
patches, coloring
shirts, cast cards,
books
coloring books,
red lipstick (dot),
roller skates
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59. WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
PHASE II
EVALUATE
Product Analysis
Group discussed and analyzed products in relation to the themes. The decision was
to create one or two products for each theme; technology, responsibility and love.
Technology would be addressed through episodes viewable on the web, love with
friendship or relationship related products such as jewelry and lastly responsibility
would encompass creating with eco friendly materials and processes.
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66. PHASE II
WACK-NOODLE PRODUCTIONS
SUMMARY
Mission Accomplished
Twelve characters were created. Based on their stories and interactions between each other, six
show concepts were born. These six concepts were reduced to the strongest three and then down to
the final show choice. Pauly Cranz was the final decision. This concept held the strongest relevance
to the themes of love, responsibility and technology. The group began to brainstorm product designs
relating to the show. Pauly Cranz had a great color scheme and a young vibe that would allow
collaboration with the cinematographer and the product design team. The team decided to touch
upon love with friendship necklaces and technology with Internet episodes. The Graffiti kit and
organic t-shirts cover issues with civil and sustainable responsibility.
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