Hello everyone,
I thought it was about time I explained the future of the Milk Paton "franchise" and game which I know a number of people here follow.
The show's most recent episode "Manhunt", was released in September, and was supposed to be the beginning of a third series of Milk Paton adventures. People have been patiently waiting for new episodes in the 3rd season ever since.
In addition, some of you have been following the progress of a game in the W.I.P boards based in the Milk Paton universe.
So, with all this work being done - why new episodes? Why no game?
First, I'll fill everyone in with the background.
What is Milk Paton?
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"Milk Paton" is shorthand for an animated series on the internet called "The Milk Paton Show", which began in 2006. It follows the stories of several school pupils and a bottle of milk as they battle Terrorists, get into car chases and other nonsense.
The easiest thing to do would be to devote 3 or 4 minutes to watching the first episode from 2006, which is entitled "Milk Paton and the IMac": you'll find it as the first item on this playlist.
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=2DC4EFD2A8B58479
The Future of the Show
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In short, after some interest for a television version of the show, and being shortlisted in a BBC competition, we decided it was time to stop simply releasing episodes onto the internet, and instead, try and really "make the big time".
I have no illusions about the episodes to date being on an excellent quality, so we immediately threw out the possibility of using existing episodes, as is, for TV. In addition to this, simply reworking existing episodes was not possible as our appearances have all changed dramatically as we have exited our teenage years, and one of the main characters has since passed away.
So, armed with a back catalogue of 15 (one never released) episodes, we decided to return to the drawing board and "reboot" the series, and create a definitive set of 8 episodes, which would be good enough for TV.
These 8 episodes step up the quality of animation, acting and writing. The 8 episodes are largely based on the original episodes, however some of the writing has been substantially changed, swathes of poor jokes have been cut, all episodes feature a glut of new material, and they now use original scores.
We've been working really hard on the new series, and have been maintaining a (by no means comprehensive) blog about the new episodes which anyone interested should bookmark:
http://www.milkpaton.blogspot.com.
The new episodes will feature the return of nearly all characters, some in larger roles, some in smaller. For obvious reasons, Peter Wilson will not be a part of the new series, but we are working on a kind of tribute to him with the good wishes and help of his sister.
The Series
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We're nearly half done of the 8 new episodes, if anyone is interested, here is a rundown of what happens in them. No original footage has been reused in the new episodes.
Milk Paton and The iMak
We get a glimpse of Milk Paton's life in the City, Glasgow, before he moves to a small school in Scotland. He immediately falls out with his classmates Robert and Mark, who try to kill him. After Milk survives and learns of their murder attempt, he is less than happy.
Milk Paton and The Terrorist Arrows
Terrorist Arrows escape from a government facility and head North, causing havoc in the school for Mark, Robert and Milk Paton. The boys meet a new friend, William, and together they defeat the Terrorist Arrows with the help of a mobile phone.
Milk Paton and Mr Man's Invention
After Mr Man becomes drunk during school hours, he messes up the pupil reports, slaps his classmates and botches a spelling inspection. The boys take sympathy on him and he recants his younger years in the 80's. Mr Man is fired, and eventually teams up with a friend to rob the Inveticorp HQ - a greedy corporation he worked for in his youth - in a 24 spoof scene.
Milk Paton and QWERTY
After Milk Paton joins a local band, Robert and Mark become jealous, a together with William and enemy Stero Type, create their own band to rival Paton's.
Milk Paton: Paton Break
Milk Paton is caught downloading MP3's and sentenced to death. Robert and Mark create a daring plan to break him out of prison in this spoof of Prison Break.
Milk Paton and Pedro Plane
Robert is selected by his class to enter a talent show on television with his reviews. He quickly becomes a nationwide celebrity, much to the annoyance of Mark who is forced to make friends with Tutankamoon. As fame increasingly goes to Robert's head, his beard leaves him. Robert makes friends with Pedro Plane, a fellow celebrity, and they both return to Robert's school. Suddenly, things begin to dissapear around the village. A car chase ensues!
Milk Paton: Manhunt
Almost exactly as original episode, with additional scenes, and pub scene reworked. The Prison Warden from the Paton Break episode has one week to recapture Mark, Robert and Milk Paton, otherwise he will be killed.
Milk Paton and Jarvis Island
Milk Paton wins a trip to a a theme park tropical island on a scratch card, where prehistoric Terrorist Arrows have been brought back to life...
I don't want to spoil the finale for everyone, but we're working really hard on making it a big finish to Milk Paton!
The Game
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The related game will be kept in storage and reworked slightly as the relevant episode it ties into is completed. When the series is released, whether that be on TV or if it never makes the grade, the game will be released as a promotional aide.
