"Lunatics" is not a "kid's show", but will be fairly "family-friendly"
I get these questions a lot, so I'm answering it here and including it in the FAQ:
Is Lunatics a "children's cartoon"?
Is Lunatics okay for kids to watch?
(TL;DR version: "NO" and "PROBABLY, but with some qualifications")
IMAGE: Georgiana Lerner in the "Kazbek-Compatible Child Seat" for "No Children in Space". The original Kazbek design won't accommodate someone as small as a 7-year-old child, so the International Space Foundation had to commission a specially-engineered solution. Her spacesuit is also custom (derived from a US design) and requires an adapter (integrated into the seat) to interface with the Soyuz-SF life-support system. (Couch model by Sathish Kumar, character model by Andrew Pray).
Apparently in the USA, animation still has the stigma of being targeted only at children. As an animation fan, I had thought that after the "anime invasion" of the 1990s and 2000s that we'd be past this, but I still get asked, so here's my response:
Lunatics is NOT "just for kids"
nor even primarily for kids. The main target audience is adults, and
some of the humor (and drama) will probably require an adult perspective
to fully understand.
However, this is not to say that it's not
appropriate for kids -- we'd like the show to be accessible to all ages.
We won't dumb down any plots for this purpose, but there will be plenty
of material that kids will understand as well as anyone else, and of
course we do present Georgiana Lerner's point of view along with the
others in order to put things into a child's perspective. And a lot of
what we're talking about is pretty universal.
So hopefully the stories won't go "over the heads" of children so much that they can't enjoy it.
As
for whether it is appropriate for children in terms of "mature
content", that's likely to be a matter of some debate. Some parents are
very sensitive to things that we don't consider important (or
appropriate) to shelter children from. So let me be a little more
detailed:
- VIOLENCE: Almost NONE. This is primarily a story about family life and so there's a really very low "body count", especially for the science-fiction genre. We do have some instances of people not being very nice to each other, and there is just ONE violent, accidental death in Season 1, and it's not a main character who dies.
- SEXUALITY: We have adult characters who act like adults. No. REALLY like adults. There are two stable marriages here with people who never cheat on their spouses and remain in love with each other. We also have some single people -- one who dates and one who doesn't. Some of the minor characters are divorced or living separately from spouses ("military marriages") or in other situations. Adults have sexual relationships, and we're not hiding that.
- IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR: Sorry. There's probably a lot of this. Some of the things Tim gets up to are probably not good things to emulate. Hopefully this will be clear to most audiences, but we're not censoring it.
- ALCOHOL & DRUGS: Again, we have adults. Adults do some of these things. Our principal characters don't use drugs most people consider "illicit". They do consume some alcohol, though not to excess. Other characters may have different sensibilities, and we won't be censoring this to "protect" the audience.
- LANGUAGE: Adults cuss sometimes. In our show, the main adults are parents themselves and have the habit of trying not to cuss in front of their children. However, they may do so when they think their children aren't listening or when they are very stressed. We're not going to censor this, either, because we feel it would detract from the realism (and sometimes the humor). However, these are not the kind of people who use harsh language all the time. Other characters may be less careful, according to their personality and environment. (Okay, look: there's an occasional "F-bomb" in the dialog in later episodes, but this doesn't happen often).
Also, regarding the language specifically, there is a neat solution, which we are probably going to use:
The original soundtrack for Lunatics will be "true language". This means, for example, that if a Russian character speaks to another Russian character, that dialog will be voiced in Russian and we'll add subtitles for English-speaking viewers. This already creates a problem for some younger viewers (and dyslexic adults) who may be uncomfortable keeping up with subtitles.
So, we are probably going to also record
"English-only" versions of those scenes. These will be included on a
second soundtrack. And while we're at it, we'll probably tone down any
offensive language on that track so that it's truly "all audiences". I'm
hoping this will satisfy any parents who are uncomfortable with their
kids hearing this kind of language -- and I don't want kids to not be able to see the show just because of this issue.
We are not, however, going to pretend that what is obviously vodka on screen is "mineral water" as some anime dubs have done!
Adults who don't want to
have the dialog "watered down" can listen to the "true language" track
-- I think this is a neat way to serve both audiences.
Other
language dubs should be similarly "single-language", and I'd recommend
they follow the same pattern. There's probably going to be one in
Spanish, contributed as a "fan dub" by an allied project that we're
already in contact with. I don't know about other languages yet.
With the possible exception of language, there won't be anything here that wouldn't have been aired on network TV over the last 20 years or so, and certainly nothing that would violate cable TV standards. If you let your kids watch Star Trek or Buffy the Vampire Slayer then they've probably already seen worse than they'll see in Lunatics. So, IN MY OPINION, it's pretty kid safe.
32
Backers
$1,765
pledged of $100,000 goal
Funding Canceled Funding for this project was canceled by the project creator on August 16, 2012.
Funding period
Jul 20, 2012 -
Aug 21, 2012
- 4 created · 25 backed
- Terry Hancock 297 friends
- Website: lunatics.tv
Pledge $1 or more
5 backers
Notification of publication. Any amount is appreciated, and we will send out updates telling you when and where you can find "Lunatics" for viewing online as soon as it comes out publicly.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $10 or more
6 backers
BACKER: Credit as a "Backer" in the credits of the pilot episode. Of course, you will also be notified when the episode comes out so you can view it online.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $12 or more
0 backers
FINGER PUPPETS! Think there should be a finger-puppet version after all? Make one yourself with these puppets (just like the ones in the video!). Printed on card stock. Also includes credit as "Backer" in the pilot episode end credits.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $15 or more
3 backers
SOUNDTRACK ALBUM: Downloadable soundtrack album in lossless FLAC format. This is a collection of the original full-length tracks of the music from the pilot episode. Also includes credit as a "Backer" in the pilot episode end credits.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $18 or more
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POSTER: 13"x19" poster of the characters line-up. This is based on the same image we are using for this Kickstart. Includes USA or international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $25 or more
5 backers
COMPACT EDITION DVD: First volume of series on DVD (will include at least "No Children in Space" and may include "Earth" if we reach our stretch goal for its production). This compact edition is a "box set in the making" -- see the text for more explanation of what you will get. You will also receive Backer credit in the titles for the pilot episode. Please add $10 for shipping outside the USA.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $25 or more
1 backer
SOUNDTRACK ALBUM on CD: Soundtrack album on compact disk with a signed "Thank you" note from the director. This is a collection of the original full-length tracks of the music from the pilot episode. Also includes credit as a "Backer" in the pilot episode end credits. Please add $10 for shipping outside the USA.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $28 or more
1 backer
T-SHIRT: T-shirt based on the Lunatics logo. See the text for more details. Please add $10 for shipping outside the USA.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $50 or more
3 backers
COMPACT EDITION DVD + LIB-RAY: First volume of series on both DVD and high-definition "Lib-Ray" format on an SDHC flash card. This compact edition is a "box set in the making" -- see the text for more explanation. You will also receive Backer credit in the titles for the pilot episode. Please add $10 for shipping outside the USA.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $65 or more
0 backers
DELUXE EXTRAS PACK: T-shirt, poster, soundtrack album, finger puppets, and probably some more extras too (see the updates). Also includes credit as a "Backer" in the pilot episode credits. Please add $10 for shipping outside the USA.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $70 or more
0 backers
DELUXE EDITION DVD: Copy of the volume 1 on DVD in beautiful, durable, and eco-friendly tin DVD case. Personal thank-you note signed by writer and director. Program booklet with background information. Fold-out mini-poster with colony plan and characters. Possibly other goodies, depending on the funding level. This is the only time we will offer this deluxe backer-exclusive edition! Also includes backer credit in the titles for the pilot episode. Please add $10 for shipping outside the USA.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $100 or more
1 backer
DELUXE EDITION DVD + LIB-RAY: Copy of the volume 1 on DVD and Lib-Ray format, packaged in a beautiful, durable, and eco-friendly tin DVD case. Personal thank-you note signed by writer and director. Program booklet with background information. Fold-out mini-poster with colony plan and characters. Possibly other goodies, depending on the funding level. This is the only time we will offer this deluxe backer-exclusive edition! Also includes backer credit in the titles for the pilot episode. Please add $10 for shipping outside the USA.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $130 or more
1 backer
DELUXE EDITION DVD + DELUXE EXTRAS PACK: All of the goodies in the deluxe extras pack, plus a copy of the first volume DVD in a beautiful, durable, and eco-friendly tin DVD case. Personal thank-you noted signed by writer and director. Also includes backer credit in the titles for the pilot episode. The DVD will contain at least "No Children in Space" and may contain "Earth" if we meet our stretch goal for producing it. Includes USA or international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $160 or more
2 backers
DELUXE EDITION DVD + LIB-RAY + DELUXE EXTRAS PACK: All of the goodies in the deluxe extras pack, plus a copy of the first volume DVD in a beautiful, durable, and eco-friendly tin DVD case as well as the same content in high-definition Lib-Ray on the included SDHC card. Personal thank-you noted signed by writer and director. Also includes backer credit in the titles for the pilot episode. The DVD/Lib-Ray will contain at least "No Children in Space" and may contain "Earth" if we meet our stretch goal for producing it. Includes USA or international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $250 or more
0 backers Limited (500 of 500 left)
FAMILY SPONSORSHIP: Prominent listing in the credits as a "Family Sponsor", and invitation to our premier screening party in DALLAS, TEXAS for two adults and up to 3 children (for additional children, add $20 each). The venue for this will depend on how many people sign up. At minimum, it'll be an intimate setting with some of the cast and crew in a meeting room with a rented HDTV. At maximum, we'll look into finding an appropriately-sized theater to host it. This will be a special early screening for families, and kids will be welcome.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $300 or more
2 backers Limited (498 of 500 left)
ILMENITE SPONSORSHIP: Prominent listing in the credits as an "Ilmenite Sponsor", and invitation to our premier screening party in DALLAS, TEXAS for you and a guest (guests for this party must be 13 or older). The venue for this will depend on how many people sign up. At minimum, it'll be an intimate setting with some of the cast and crew in a meeting room with a rented HDTV. At maximum, we'll look into finding an appropriately-sized theater to host it.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $500 or more
0 backers Limited (200 of 200 left)
ANORTHOSITE SPONSORSHIP: More prominent listing in the credits as an "Anorthosite Sponsor", and invitation to our premier screening party for you and a guest (guests for this party must be 13 or older). The venue for this will depend on how many people sign up. At minimum, it'll be an intimate setting with some of the cast and crew in a meeting room with a rented HDTV. At maximum, we'll look into finding an appropriately-sized theater to host it.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers Limited (100 of 100 left)
THORIUM SPONSORSHIP: Very prominent listing in the credits as a "Thorium Sponsor", and invitation to our premier screening party for you and a guest (guests for this party must be 13 or older). The venue for this will depend on how many people sign up. At minimum, it'll be an intimate setting with some of the cast and crew in a meeting room with a rented HDTV. At maximum, we'll look into finding an appropriately-sized theater to host it.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $1,500 or more
0 backers Limited (15 of 15 left)
ORGANIZATIONAL SPONSORSHIP: Prominent listing with Monochrome Logo Graphic, company name, and/or URL in credits roll in pilot episode. Open to organizations, companies, etc.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $3,000 or more
0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)
HELIUM-3 SPONSORSHIP: Most prominent individual listing in the credits as a "Helium-3 Sponsor", and invitation to our premier screening party for you and a guest (guests for this party must be 13 or older). The venue for this will depend on how many people sign up. At minimum, it'll be an intimate setting with some of the cast and crew in a meeting room with a rented HDTV. At maximum, we'll look into finding an appropriately-sized theater to host it.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $10,000 or more
0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)
ORGANIZATIONAL PROMO SPOT - ALL MARKETS: Up to 30 second advertising spot in initial online releases of endorsed videos on video sharing sites. In addition to this spot, you will be credited before the end credits. Attribution licensing rules require that these credit rolls be retained in copies which retain a significant amount of the video (the advertising spot itself can be removed, although this invalidates the "endorsed copy" status and the endorsement has to be removed as well).
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
Comments
Creator Jonathan Yao on July 21, 2012
Stupid double post...
Creator Jonathan Yao on July 21, 2012
The speaking language on movies and shows has always been a pet peeve of mine. But I could see the logistics problems with having the shows in multiple languages. It is cool that you are doing a full English-only version.
Creator Jonathan Yao on July 21, 2012
The speaking language on movies and shows has always been a pet peeve of mine. But I could see the logistics problems with having the shows in multiple languages. It is cool that you are doing a full English-only version.