S.A.L.E.M.: The Secret Archive of Legends, Enchantments, and Monsters

S.A.L.E.M.: The Secret Archive of Legends, Enchantments, and Monsters is an upcoming animated fantasy and mystery web series created by a queer woman named Samantha "Sam" Sawyer.[1][2] It is based on an unpublished comic of the same name by Sawyer[3] and was funded by a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.[4][5][6] The show's exact date has not been announced,[7] but official sources anticipate that episodes will begin airing in Spring 2021.[lower-alpha 3] In a February 2020 interview, Sawyer described the series as "about someone who was different," said that she is aiming to produce a series of episodes that are 11-12 minutes long, and stated that the whole series is mapped out.[8][9] Sawyer also said that the show is influenced by The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Courage the Cowardly Dog, and Invader Zim.[10][11][12]

Not to be confused with Salem (TV series).
S.A.L.E.M.: The Secret Archive of Legends, Enchantments, and Monsters
Genre
Created bySamantha "Sam" Sawyer
Based onS.A.L.E.M.
by Sam Sawyer
Directed bySwampy Marsh
Voices of
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersSwampy Marsh
Randy Abrams
ProducerQ Fortier
Production companySurfer Jack Productions
Release
Original networkYouTube
External links
Website

Premise

The story, set in the fictional town of Hollow Watch, West Virginia,[lower-alpha 4] follows the adventures of a non-binary cryptid named Salem[lower-alpha 5] who finds out they have been adopted and begins on a journey to discover their origin, joined by an enchanted book, a photographer named Oliver, and a psychic named Petra who is a medium for ghosts.[8][13][14][15] Salem, a creature who doesn't have a core identity or gender, travels through a "world of fairies, goblins and other cryptids."[16][17]

Characters

Main characters

Supporting characters
  • The Cryptorium (voiced by Rob Paulsen[10]) is the enchanted book that guides Salem on their journey.
  • Boogeyman (voiced by Rob Paulsen[10]) is Salem's stepfather.
  • Arlo is the older brother of Petra who likes to read, enjoys quiet nights, and is working hard to get in college.[22]

Other characters
  • Freddie (voiced by Maisy Kay[23]) is a cat with black fur.
  • Bigfoot (voiced by Brock Powell[24][25]) is a monster in the woods that Salem, Petra, and Oliver encounter.[lower-alpha 8]
  • Daniel (voiced by Q Fortier[lower-alpha 9])

Production, development, and release

The project itself was envisioned in 2013, but it wasn't until November 2018 that the series started production.[26][lower-alpha 10] Swampy Marsh will be executive producer and voice director, while Q Fortier will be Senior Producer.[lower-alpha 11] Also, Randy Abrams of LostSock LLC will be an executive producer,[lower-alpha 12] and Spectrolite is the main storyboarder,[14] along with others working on the series.[lower-alpha 13] Marsh's company, Surfer Jack Productions, will be producing the series.[26] On August 13, 2019, the animatic trailer for the series was released,[27] and the opening animation was released later that year on October 17.[28] In a January 2020 interview, Sawyer said she always knew this story was about "someone who was different" and noted that the show's "main character identifies as nonbinary," adding that creators are getting better at telling stories about people with disabilities, people of color, and that they are opening up the story "for people who don’t identify with a gender."[16]

On January 23, 2020, in an AMA, Sawyer stated that the series will be on YouTube but if it doesn't work out, it will be posted to a website where everyone can see the first episode, and stated that they "hope for early 2021" in terms of the release of the first episode.[19] Over a year later, on January 2021, she stated on Twitter, in response to a question from a fan, following a tweet by Adam McArthur saying he had seen the pilot, "it’s not out officially yet, but we’re getting closer."[29]

Notes
  1. As stated on the official YouTube channel description.
  2. As noted on the official Instagram description.
  3. The official Twitter account and official YouTube channel says that the series is "coming soon" while the Kickstarter says that "the show is anticipated to start delivering episodes around Spring 2021"
  4. This is confirmed by an October 8, 2019 tweet from the official Twitter account for the show, along with other tweets on April 17, 2020 and August 23, 2019.
  5. Sawyer confirmed this in an October 2020 video with an update on the progress of the series development
  6. This was noted in a December 9, 2018 post on the official Facebook page for the series
  7. This interview was posted on the official YouTube channel for the series on January 24, 2021.
  8. It is also noted in the credits of a December 10, 2020 video on the official YouTube channel for the show that he voices hobgoblins and monsters as well.
  9. As noted in the credits of a December 10, 2020 video on the official YouTube channel for the show
  10. The YouTube video description of this interview says that the "show is being produced by "Phineas and Ferb" & "Milo Murphy’s Law" co-creator Swampy Marsh through his company, Surfer Jack Productions."
  11. This was stated in a December 2020 video on the show's official YouTube channel titled "SALEM Cast and Crew Discuss The Animation Process."
  12. His LinkedIn states that he has been an executive producer since December 2018
  13. In an October 2019 YouTube video of the show's animatic, Spectrolite noted Brandon Coles, The Crayon Queen, Sam Sawyer, Marachi Studios (a person), Laura Bailey, Rob Paulsen, Adam McArthur, and many others as working on the show.

References
  1. Johnson, Bill (4 February 2020). "Artist Sam Sawyer to LVL UP Expo". Las Vegas, NV Patch. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  2. "Sam Sawyer". Tuscon Comic Con. 2019. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  3. Sawyer, Sam (18 December 2019). "Artist Sam Sawyer Creates First Animated Series with Non-Binary Hero". Starshine Magazine (Online). Interviewed by Sandy Lo. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  4. Sawyer, Sam (6 October 2019). "Interview with Creator Sincerely Sam on the SALEM Kickstarter!". Geek Lyfe (Online). Interviewed by DeAngelo Murillo. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  5. Sawyer, Sam (January 2020). "Comic Book Artist SAM SAWYER Discusses Her Graphic Novel Salem and Development of its Animated Series [w/ Audio]". V13 (Online). Interviewed by Alex Young. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  6. Erik Nagel (13 November 2019). "'Salem' Sam Sawyer". It's Erik Nagel (Podcast). Liberated Syndication (Libsyn). Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  7. Sawyer, Sam (17 January 2020). "INTERVIEW: Sam Sawyer". Vents Magazine (Online). Interviewed by RJ Frometa. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020. Although in this interview, Sawyer stated that the first episode would be released in October 2020, this did not occur because of the pandemic as stated in an October 2020 video from Sawyer on the show's official YouTube channel.
  8. Sawyer, Sam (13 February 2020). "Rising Star Sam Sawyer: "Our words are powerful, and I think people need to start understanding that more; One simple smile or kind word can change someone's life"". Authority Magazine (Online). Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  9. Sawyer, Sam (21 February 2020). "Animation Gets a New Look as Artist Sam Sawyer Creates the First Series Featuring a Non-Binary Hero". Hollywood Times (Online). Interviewed by Judy Shields. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  10. Belle, Elly (5 December 2019). "A New Cartoon Aims to Air the First Ever Lead Non-Binary Character". Dot and Line. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  11. "Sam Sawyer". Albuquerque Comic Con. October 2019. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  12. "Sam Sawyer Creator of S.A.L.E.M." Bionic Buzz. 26 October 2019. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  13. Johnson, Bill (28 October 2019). "Sam Sawyer Creates The First Series Featuring A Non-Binary Hero". Las Vegas, NV Patch. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  14. Ward, Rachael (27 October 2019). "Kickstart This! "S.A.L.E.M: The Secret Archive of Legends, Enchantments and Monsters"". Animation for Adults. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  15. Sawyer, Sam (15 February 2020). "Interview with Sam Sawyer". Mackenzie Amyx (Online). Interviewed by Mackenzie Amyx. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  16. Gomez, Adrian (17 January 2020). "Monster maker". Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  17. Sohmers, Gary (10 February 2020). "Animation Gets a New Look, Artist Sam Sawyer at NEComicCon". Northeast Comic Con. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  18. Salem Series [@SalemSeries] (12 October 2020). "Happy #NationalComingOutDay from your fave trio! Wearing their colors with pride 😉 Whether you're out or still waiting for just the right moment, the Salem crew is here for you and to say the most important thing about today is that you remember to a… instagr.am/p/CGOtcdtljxR/" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020 – via Twitter. The Instagram post linked in the tweet further clarifies these LGBTQ identities.
  19. Sawyer, Sam (23 January 2020). "I'm Artist Sam Sawyer and I've create "SALEM: The Secret Archive of Legends, Enchantments, and Monsters". AMA!". Reddit. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  20. "DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE COVER: The Future Is Female, Riele Downs Discusses the Importance of Voting, Diversity in Hollywood, New Projects, Fashion, Natural Hair, and Her Time on 'Henry Danger'". Glitter Magazine. 21 October 2019. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020. I star in a fun, new animation series called Salem, which is due to air soon, as well as being hot on the trail of a few cool projects, so stay tuned!
  21. Salem Series [@SalemSeries] (29 January 2020). "Meet, Petra! We are so excited to announce and introduce you to @rieledowns who plays the voice of Petra! She is stunning, talented, and incredibly sweet! It was so wonderful working with you, Riele!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020 – via Twitter.
  22. Salem Series [@SalemSeries] (14 January 2021). "Meet Petra's older brother! His name is Arlo and he loves to read, enjoys quiet nights in, and is working hard to get into the college of his dreams! Books • #meetthecharacters #meetarlo #arlo #petrasbigbrother #bigbro #lovestoread #petra #characters #an… instagr.am/p/CKBB_FdFK9X/" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021 – via Twitter.
  23. Kay, Maisy [@maisykay] (30 January 2020). "So excited to announce that I will be the voice of 'Freddie' in the upcoming animated series @SalemSeries . It has been wonderful working with the cast and I can't wait for you guys to see it!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 10 February 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020 – via Twitter.
  24. Salem Series [@SalemSeries] (19 October 2019). "Our local Bigfoot is having a birthday today! Stop what you're doing and say happy birthday to @brockvox voice of Bigfoot! Brock is an incredible friend and such a talented VA. We are so excited to work with him and bring this crazy story to life. Happy birthday, Brock! 🎂 🎉" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 20 October 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2020 – via Twitter.
  25. Piper Reese (5 April 2020). "Kool-Aid Man Brock Powell's Best Acting Voice Roles". PipersPicks.TV (Podcast). Himalaya Media, Inc. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  26. Sawyer, Sam (15 February 2020). "SALEM Animated Series Creator Sam Sawyer, Cryptids, Nonbinary & Witchcraft". Piper's Picks TV (Online). Interviewed by Piper Reese. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  27. Salem Series (23 August 2019). "Salem Animatic Trailer and Pre-Orders for Merchandise". Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020 – via YouTube.
  28. Salem Series (17 October 2019). "Salem Opening Animation and Message from Sam Sawyer". Archived from the original on 25 August 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020 – via YouTube.
  29. Sawyer, Samanatha "Sam" [@SamSamSawyer] (21 January 2021). "It's not out officially yet, but we're getting closer" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021 – via Twitter.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.