GUFF #10: Monkey Business
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“The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.”
From the Editor
GUFF #10
The snow has melted, the sun is out, and The Infinite Monkeys are coming to life, with a novel, graphic novel, and screenplay in development, thanks to our enthusiastic Round 1 investors. And thanks to character designer Natalie Baron, who has been cooking up some terrific visuals, and writer Chris Tuff, who has been banging away at the keyboard. Subscribers to the Infinite Monkeys creative process will find a much expanded Synopsis 2, as well as all the latest character designs, in the Infinite Monkeys Workroom.
Based on the concept by our inscrutable in-house cartoonist, Arthur Trope, which according to Artie, is being much improved on by this team. You may recall Artie had some complaints over his ‘Infinite Monkeys’ triptych of single-panel comics, allegations of some monkey business, if you will, for “borrowing too heavily” from a scene in The Simpsons, one in which Mr. Burns tears up a page from a monkey’s typewriter after reading ‘It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times...’. Artie’s original caption for the first comic in the series was something like “To b@ or not to b$… Oh this is never going to bloody work…” After the complaints crossed from the dozens into the hundreds, the Executive Committee had a conference call with Legal, and decided everything was fine. These things happen. Artie says he’s never even seen The Simpsons. Which sounds suspect, but if true, makes him the only one. Anyway, our intern, Katie, proposed a new caption that seems to have satisfied all parties: “We’ll just have to agree to disagree over Oxford commas…”. She may be he only one here who knows what an Oxford comma is, other that the lawyers, who thought it was risk-mitigating in heading off any infringement claims or cease and desist orders to come. And English isn’t even her first language. But the focus group disagreed, giving it a pitiful 3.7/23.0,which is below the normal comic panel publishability threshold. It did, however, manage to put out the fire. Points to Katie for saving the day, right before her internship is up. She may get the job after all. Now, I don’t want to belabor the point because it’s settled and everyone just wants to move on, but I did a little digging and discovered that The Simpsons bit itself was lifted from a 1940 New Yorker story called ‘Inflexible Logic’ by Russell Maloney. I’m just saying. There are two lessons here. One, there are no ideas, The Simpsons has already done them. And two, the Simpsons probably lifted it from someone else anyway. Regardless, we have filled this noticeable little hole in the canon, so I re-present to you with a legally compliant caption here.
Anyway, after this, Artie went off an expanded the planned concept to have the troop of simian typist successfully complete The Complete Work of Shakespeare, only to move on more expansive creative horizons by tackling “The Best of Simon & Garfunkel" as an encore. There was some debate about covering Simon & Garfunkel vs say, Hall & Oates, or Radiohead, but legal was ok with all of them. (The Monkeys felt too on the nose.) Long story short, the Infinite Monkeys single-panel turned into a triptych, and then a quadriptych (look it up), as the troop ventured into painting, acting, etc. They had to be rearranged because it made more sense to have the troop begins its infinite journey with the drip period works of Jackson Pollock, then having gained confined and some chemistry as a unit to tackle The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, and then moves on to their crowning achievement, The Very Best of Hall & Oates. And finally to a Netflix remake of the final episode of Game of Thrones.
As far as the single-panel comics go, Artie says this little gag has runs its course, and it’s time to turn it over to the professionals for development.
So it’s all in the hands of Chris and Natalie now. The Infinite Monkeys development plan calls for a novel and a screenplay for the pilot episode of a planned 7-episode story arc. To get from here to there, we’ll be sharing weekly drafts, insights, challenges, and small victories along the way. If you’re not already subscribed, you can support the Infinite Monkeys concept by joining the Workroom, where you can see work-in-progress, engage with the team, and receive the final drafts.
Read on for the Concept of the Week - Welcome to Calamityville, an interesting twist on alien invasion yarns, eco-catastrophe, and the moral quandary of AI in… everything. We’re working out the kinks, but I can see it working as a 1930’s screwball comedy with echoes of Three-Cornered Moon or The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek. Or with a modern Hitchhiker’s Guide vibe. But you be the judge. You can vote to “Greenlight” or “Stop This Synopsis” below… -Ed.
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Concept of the Week
“After aliens record all human activity in order to train their AI to accelerate mankind’s self-inflicted decline, a misanthropic former Hollywood agent must choose between trillions in alien gold for licensing rights to the content, or saving the human race from extinction.”
Welcome to Calamityville
The seaside town of Pleasantville is no stranger to chaos, having recently come through a historic heatwave, the ensuing drought, and the wildfires that followed, decimating the landscape. Just when the residents think they've suffered enough, a 7.2 mega earthquake triggered by fracking efforts just off the coast shakes the seaboard and triggers a tsunami that spreads destruction far and wide. As relief agencies arrive on the scene, the skies turn blue again - but the nearby dormant volcano, Mt. Pleasant, begins to show signs of re-awakening after hundreds of years of slumber.
The people of Pleasantville, like much of the rest of humanity, are shell-shocked and pessimistic about the future of the planet, as all manner of man-made, pollution-driven chaos threatens global civilization. So when, after a week of relative calm, the sky suddenly fills with egg-shaped UFOs, they can do little more than shrug.
Enter the Halcyons. They have returned to Earth and initiated Protocol Alpha, which is the culmination of a 10,000 year plan in which an endless army of their molecular drones, have recorded every aspect of human history as it occurred. The Protocol calls for the aliens to use Earth's entire catalog of lived and imagined "content" - literally everything that has ever happened to anybody - to train their AI.
It seems that the Halcyonites, in their high-tech, peaceful culture, with few challenges and no predators, have evolved into voracious consumers of stories and entertainment. They have created immersive, full-sensory playback media that can recreate recorded experiences, scraped from the brains of other races and cultures, through which they can experience the actual sensations and emotions felt by those other beings.
And then there’s gruff, misanthropic Doyle Dunwoody. He was an unusual candidate for the title of "The Man Who Saved the World." But nobody thought he'd be the leading contender for the title "The Man Who Sold Out the World," either.
Mark Gunnion
Mark Gunnion was born in Indianapolis, and was making animated monster movies by the time he was 12. A theater jock, cover-band guitarist and champion impromptu speaker in high school, he got a film degree at Northwestern, then moved to California to pursue a musical career. In San Francisco, he produced and hosted a variety show on cable access TV that covered the underground music scene. He produced… (read more)
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Press Room
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Job Board
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In the Offing
Offering Terms:
Minimum Investment: $100.00 /
Security Type: Revenue Share /
Raise: $20,000 - $50,000 /
Planned Launch: Apr 2025 /
Offering Terms: Minimum Investment: $100.00 / Security Type: Revenue Share / Raise: $20,000 - $50,000 / Planned Launch: Apr 2025 /
In Offering news, the votes are in, the focus groups have spoken, and we’ve moved Alexander Zebra from concept to pilot stage. This means we’re now “Testing the Waters” for for an official Offering of revenue shares to investors. You can RSVP for the anticipated offering now on the franchise pilot page.
Testing the Waters: No money or other consideration is being solicited, and if sent in response, will not be accepted. No offer to buy securities can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until an offering statement is filed and only through an intermediary's platform. A person’s indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.
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Concepts in Development
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Character Card: Dr. Theodore von Animus
To follow the full character development process, enter the Workroom.
Infinite Monkeys
Dr. Theo Animus
Franchise: Infinite Monkeys
Character Designer: Natalie Baron
- Name: Dr. Theo von Animus
- Age: 58
- Occupation: Primatologist
- Location: Santa Fe, NM
Background
Dr. von Animus is a figure of fascination and contention in the field of primatology. From a young age, he displayed an unusual affinity for animals, particularly primates. Growing up in a small town surrounded by woodlands, he was often found observing the local wildlife, leading him to pursue a PhD in biology with a focus on primate behavior. His early work was groundbreaking, earning him accolades and a reputation as a rising star in the scientific community.
However, his career took a turn when he began conducting studies that pushed ethical boundaries. While his research significantly advanced the understanding of primate cognition and social structures, it often involved invasive methods that drew ire from animal rights activists. Dr. vA argued that the ends justified the means, believing that his work would ultimately benefit both human and animal welfare. This dichotomy of purpose has painted him as both a visionary and a villain.
Dr. vA possesses an exceptional mind, capable of making connections between complex behavioral patterns in primates and broader implications for human psychology. His intelligence often leads him to be dismissive of perspectives he deems less informed. He has a magnetic personality that draws people in during lectures and conferences. However, his controversial methods and the ethical debates surrounding his work alienate many in the academic community. He is quick to defend his research methodologies. His defensive nature often results in heated exchanges with critics, including former students and activists. Beneath his confident exterior lies a man grappling with guilt and regret. The fallout from his controversial studies has left him feeling isolated, and he frequently reflects on the moral implications of his work.
One of the most significant relationships in Dr. von Aminus’s life is with his former student, Dr. Marcus Malvuro. Once a passionate protégé, eager to learn from von Animus and contribute to the field, their relationship soured after Malvuro accused von Animus of appropriating his groundbreaking research on primate communication, leading to a public falling out.
Malvuro idolized his mentor in the early days of his studies. He devoted years to developing a unique framework for understanding primate vocalizations, only to feel overshadowed when Dr. von Animus published a similar study without giving him due credit.
Malvuro’s resentment fuels a broader narrative in the academic community, portraying von Animus as a self-serving figure who sacrifices ethical considerations for fame and recognition. Their conflict serves as a microcosm of the larger debate around animal research ethics, highlighting the tension between scientific advancement and moral responsibility.
Dr. vA’s story is woven with themes of ambition, ethics, and the complexities of human-animal relationships. His work raises significant questions: At what cost does scientific progress come? How much is too much when it comes to understanding the natural world? Despite his achievements, he often finds himself questioning his own legacy. He is torn between the desire to push the boundaries of knowledge and the ethical implications of his research. His conflicts with Malvuro and animal rights activists represent a broader societal struggle. As he navigates his relationships and the critiques surrounding his work, Dr. vA’s journey is a reminder of the challenges faced by those who dare to tread the fine line between innovation and morality in the name of science.
Images by Natalie Baron
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A troop of monkeys recreates the Complete Works of Shakespeare, but can they tackle the Best of Simon & Garfunkel before creative differences tear them apart?