While much of the media world is in lockdown-shutdown – almost corona-genetically frozen by the pandemic – animation is booming. Indie Brit comedy cartoon rogues The Bruvs are no exception. Working remotely using home equipment, video conferences, and low budget shortcuts, the cult adult comedy icons are bringing a bunch of new content to their loyal fans worldwide.
The Bruvs cartoon series started six years ago by writer-producer Ian Brown, animation director Eoin Clarke and Editor Paul Richmond, now have more than 40 short films on their youtube channel. After a brief run on the UK channel Dave and its VoD service UKTVplay – becoming the first animation and the first shorts on both platforms – all The Bruvs material is now exclusive to youtube and their own social sites … Twitter, Facebook, Insta, and Soundcloud. The Bruvs are a family of villains trying and failing to change their ways in a new home. Usually, things end badly as the leading men – brothers Doug and Den Bruv – try to embrace frothy coffees, art, culture, and being good citizens.
Having taken the decision to try to bring new comedy to fans, the team found it relatively easy to overcome the issues involved. Normally, there would be gatherings and ideas would be tossed about. Now the get-togethers had to be virtual.
“It worked OK,” said Ian Brown. “Using things like Zoom and WhatsApp, we were able to see each others’ faces, which is important as we like to see what is really making each other laugh. At first, we weren’t sure if we should carry on during the lockdown. But we could see that online, people were trying to make each other laugh. And TV and other entertainment were helping people through all this.”
Once scripts were agreed, the voices could be recorded on a piece of home equipment and those files could be emailed across to be sorted, and then animation work could begin. The small team has a raft of new material to bring out. First up has been a new song LOCKDOWN BLUES which is now on their SoundCloud site. Created by Stig Winslet and Pete Harbour who are to blame for all The Bruvs songs and music – most of which have been described as “annoyingly catchy” by critics – the song tells how The Bruvs clan are dealing with the lockdown in their unique way. The challenges of home-schooling, toilet roll demand, and self-isolation are covered. Now a music video has been launched to accompany the song on The Bruvs youtube channel. It reveals that brothers Doug and Den have not wasted their lockdown time… They have learned guitar. The results can be seen in the video. Also on the way are a full new animated adventure for The Bruvs and a series of shorts offering their own take on Lockdown Guidance.
“We’re thrilled to be able to work on and to try to help people laugh a bit during this trying time,” said Ian. “We hope people like what we’re bringing out. So far the reception has been good. which is most pleasing.”
Despite being veterans of TV production, the pandemic and its effects on projects is a first for all The Bruvs creative team. Ian is a TV writer, producer whose credits include Top Gear, The South Bank Show, The Fast Show, and comedy panel shows. He’s written or produced for the likes of Homer Simpson, Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Harrison Ford, Martin Scorsese, Simon Cowell, Jamie Oliver, YouTubers Joe Sugg, and Caspar Lee and many more.
Animation director Eoin Clarke has worked on the cult cartoon series Monkey Dust and many high profile TV shows and commercials. Paul Richmond is a veteran Editor of major network TV productions like The Chase, Take Me Out, and projects with Jeremy Clarkson and music icon Prince.
“As for so many others,” said Ian, “This is all new territory. It might change the industry for all time. Only the coming months will tell. In the meantime, we are pleased to be able to do what we do and we thank all our followers for their continued support for The Bruvs.”
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