Don't Let's Start- TAZ

So I've been working on this since like maybe Episode 57, and Griffin Mcelroy has tore out my heart even more since then. Hope you like it!
Song- Don't Let's Start by They Might Be Giants
Art- all me baby
Podcast Source- The Adventure Zone

[@josephd183]

Is there somewhere where I could look at all the images sequentially, so i can have more time to absorb them and stuff? Like an album or something?

[@entropy-em]

josephd183 Yes!! Here's the video with no text (nutellarella.tumblr.com/post/162822507982/textless-frames-from-taz-dont-lets-start) and here's it with text (nutellarella.tumblr.com/post/162822478537/frames-with-text-from-taz-dont-lets-start). Thanks!

[@josephd183]

nutellarella Awesome, thank you so much! And SUPER nice work with this, this kicks ass!! 👋👋

[@mark0yo874]

nutellarella what program did you use and awesome art man or girl

[@entropy-em]

Golden Stain I used paint tool SAI for the actual drawings, and then cutecut pro to stitch them together. Thank you!!!

[@mark0yo874]

nutellarella no THANK YOU

[@gooey_gumdrops]

I like how it says "Don't " when Merle is dirty talking a plant.

[@826destoryer7]

50 shades of green

[@Skidoodle18]

826 destoryer D O N ‘ T

[@cosmosayz5338]

Before listening to TAZ: this is cool I guess After listening to TAZ: *is crying because I now get the stuff in the video*

[@taakofromtv150]

Well since you get it could you tell me what is going on at 0:25 cause I did listen to taz and have moved on to reading the books to support them all but I can’t remember whAt that but is about

[@albigalloway4481]

@@taakofromtv150 the initiation! To prove they got the stuff to join, they had to fight a few robots and giants in a pit. Magnus had to be on the lip, defending a button, taako was down with the giants, and Merle was in a gun

[@Gracyn1102]

This is my new favorite TAZ video ever and I'm gonna put it on Lup for like seven hours

[@a1lone1bird1lucia]

Grace Hopper I see what you did there ;)

[@MsOAWR]

hahahhaa i yelled this at my partner and he yelled 'i've been HAD' hey thanks good pun ilu

[@qweniverelefever62]

Finishing the podcast, I finally get this now

[@kalhardesty4375]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@djmccarthy4859]

I'm not going to stop until I become a lich

[@injuryman]

I love how much younger Magnus looks like a rowdy rough boy.

[@jesterlavorre6417]

*ruff boi

[@hickorymccay2994]

Very Travis.

[@3sides1eye28]

this is beautiful? I love all the details- like how taako had his eyes covered in the beginning, but over time 'revealed' more and more? like it showed how he was opening up to them? that's what I got from it at least. and also how at the end lup was censored, how roswells bird had a hat,etc. there was so much detail in every single frame its hekkin remarkable. I applaud you, cuz id never have the patience to do something like this

[@deltaphant_]

Especially on the character things at the end, the little details like Taako's book are amazing!

[@JoyAndAgony]

and watching his hair turn from pink to blonde again gives such a tangible sense of time, i can't even explain????

[@azuredragon2481]

The first time you can see Taako's eyes is at the Candle Nights party.

[@adriennefundy6087]

Oh snap, you're right about Taako. I think I picked up on that at some level, but didn't think about it for real until you said that. Such good detail.

[@arcanine3371]

@@JoyAndAgony When did his hair turn pink in the podcast?

[@afon8125]

God, I first watched this around the end of Petals to the Metal, and I've been coming back every few episodes to see what I understand again. It's been a real big part of my journey through this incredible fuckin story. I'm finally getting to the end, but I don't know if I want to listen anymore. I don't want to lose this story, because it's made me happier than I have been in years and done more for my mental health than anything else I've ever done or experienced. It's extraordinary, truly. I don't want to let this adventure end.

[@entropy-em]

Galactic Lesbian if it makes you feel any better, the taz ending is one of the most sweetest, heartfelt, SATISFYING endings i've seen out of any piece of media in a while. plus there are some live shows coming out right now with the thb in them. these characters and their story will never be forgotten

[@imsoquirky8370]

There’s always amnesty

[@bryanyakimets2235]

Amnesty and the live shows (especially the live shows) helped ease the ache. It was seeing then in different places after the end, ans it gave a chatharsis that helped it a lot

[@ckillgore]

I come back to this video every so often and it still makes me cry. Amnesty is good though, listen to amnesty. I hear graduation is getting better, but I like to binge my podcasts so I'm letting them get a little ahead of me while I relisten to balance for the third time.

[@PineTree96]

Taako's hair changing colour throughout was just... a great little touch.

[@-Commit-arson-]

You gotta change it up every once in a while Spice of life and all Canonically Taako lives like he’s dying!

[@jailynnwinn3148]

Wow, I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen anyone draw (who I assume is) Garfield the deals warlock as anything other than the lasagna Cat. I like it :3

[@jesse3548]

You better call Kravitz because this video just killed me dead, my dude.

[@Tyriad_]

The fact that Griffin mentioned how much he likes TMBG in Wonderful makes this even better (if that's even possible)

[@fiegorongalez6548]

I need to know what episode you're referencing

[@VineWeaver64]

I love how Roswell's bird half also has it's own smaller hat!

[@FunnyFany]

*walks in 2 years later with a can of soda* This made me want to make a TAZ animatic with End Of The Tour from the John Henry album.

[@kittiecandy747]

love the detail of taakos pink dyed hair slowly fading out

[@themanwithacrumpet]

Thank you for putting together essentially one of the best pieces of media I've ever consumed. You capture a lot in terms of plot, feeling, and emotion that I've hardly ever seen.

[@themanwithacrumpet]

Also, could I get a high res of 2:02

[@entropy-em]

Thor Odinnsson Sure! I'm currently stringing together pretty much every single frame of this, one version wordless the other one with words, to post on my tumblr (nutellarella) and that should be up tomorrow

[@themanwithacrumpet]

Awesome!

[@DustInTheWind64]

I can't believe you remembered to put some gray hair on Magnus in wonderland. Great eye for detail!

[@Mwuuh]

I saw the thumbnail in my "recommended" feed and I was like "surely that's not a TAZ video with my absolute favourite band ever?" and I've never been more delighted in my life. Not only was this totally my favourite band, but all the pictures are so incredibly well made and beautiful, and I recognised every single reference and I'm legit all emotional right now. This is going straight into my favourites, after I've watched it a couple more times.

[@eaggon_158]

I think this is the first time I’ve seen someone depict the three giants test in the BOB that’s rad as hell

[@hhgnggnjngnmnnh5291]

god i legitimately have nostalgia connected to this now. it’s so amazing, it just makes me want to relisten to balance and watch this over and over again. i notice new things every time i see this and the attention to detail is amazing

[@obamna666]

dude I was listening to tmbg earlier and I realized I can’t help but associate this song with this specific video

[@TrinityTriptych]

taako's outfit for the eleventh hour is literally the best thing I've ever seen

[@neccodealer]

I love how Taako dyes his hair!!

[@cranberrycore]

holy FUCKING shit dude, I can't even comprehend how much work you put into this, this is so amazing I am in AWE

[@outtagoodnamesdangit]

Okay, I have no idea what the context is for this, but this art is FUCKING AMAZING!!

[@Queer_Nerd_For_Human_Justice]

"the Adventure Zone" dnd podcast by the McElroys, def worth a listen, these are from the "Balance" campaign

[@lorendaemon7945]

Did you ever listen to the podcast

[@GolScabbard]

One day I'm gonna use this video to explain the entirety of Taz balance to someone, using every perfect frame you drew as a sort of PowerPoint slide to talk for maybe 2 hours straight about a 70+ hour story

[@lilbackpack2065]

the song choice is really something special. this is one of my favorite videos of all time.

[@Revancy]

Whats funny is that this video actually got me into the adventure zone! I know this is a year old but i still have to say this is literally my favorite video of all time

[@heehoopeanut6160]

Sloane and hurleys tree with the caption "i have a weak heart" i think is going to kill me one day

[@MichaelWacht]

Dang dude, your timing and ones are so good. "No one in the world ever gets what they want, and that is beautiful." And your showing Lucas and Maureen and I just started crying. Christ. You say that Griffen is ripping at your heart. Dude you tearing at mine with your art and placement and emotion. Fuck. 🦆. I'm crying now. Jerk. 😭 So good.

[@thisloneliness]

I legitimately watched this 7 times in a straight row, and then messaged it to all my friends (none of whom are 'yet' adventure zone fans, but if this doesn't peak their curiosity idk what will... it's perfection). I will watch this until the end of time, you've captured what the podcast is, and what the writing, japes, storytelling, and emotions mean to so many of us.

[@thisloneliness]

Also, until this very moment I had forgotten Merle dressed up as Ursala for the festival fakjldfkajsdfkflaj goddamn I love this show.

[@trucetruce335]

1:51 Taako looks so confused

[@ivoryjaderose3806]

AAAA I love the detail in this!!! I just noticed that throughout the video Taako's coloring in his hair is slowly fading and???? THat's amazing?????? I love it,,,,,,,

[@008TheDen]

Damn! TMBG and TAZ are too great flavors that are great together. You certainly did an amazing job with this from character design( especially love your Jenkins) to hitting pivotal scenes with perfectly timed lyrics. Now excuse me while I watch this 50 more times.

[@iggyyyyyyyy]

man it's been almost four years and i still come back to watch this

[@arcadia_758]

IM NOT CRYING my eyes are just using spell slots.

[@ToyKnives]

Don't Let's Start is one of my favorite songs so I had really high expectations for a TAZ animations set to it, and they were more than exceeded!

[@Isa-fq9kk]

the way this video has shaped part of who i am today is insane. i cannot believe its already been around 6 years

[@eddieboi4277]

Ahhhh! I love this video! I just keep returning to watch it again once or twice a week since i first watched it XD

[@saltymangoman2948]

i don't normally comment on yt videos but i had to say something because this??? is so??? good????? the art and coloring is nice, matches the song choice, it captures the plot points at their most poignant, and overall it's just an amazing work. i can see why there are zero dislikes! keep up the good work because the world is brighter with it. thanks!

[@ExtremelyToxic]

Play the video at half speed to fully appreciate just how much beautiful detail there is in the video

[@elliotht2017]

This is so amazing I think I've watched it 6 times already! The art is so good and you actually reminded me of scenes I had forgotten happened. Also i guess this song is just gonna be in my head forever now

[@cranberrycore]

I know I just commented like 5 minutes ago but I don't think I'll ever be over how good this is

[@jmyers8806]

You know that feeling when you see something for the first time and wonder how you ever lived without it? That just happened.

[@nessbailey7931]

I really like the detail in the beginning of Taako’s eyes being hidden

[@vividian3104]

1:23 The lyrics matched this part so hard holy shit I feel for Lucas

[@BF-li8pv]

The bit with Jenkins and the word animal comes up behind him and then the background switches to black and it's just him and that highlighted literally comes to me in dreams sometimes

[@sand__witch]

i didn't know it was possible for anyone to make fuckin' jenkins legitimately intimidating, but this person somehow nailed it

[@claudiag.9307]

I can't stop replaying this, every frame is a masterpiece! It's completely overwhelming I could cry

[@sparkyferrum554]

I've only recently began listening to The Adventure Zone, and every time I get through an arc I come to this video so I can see all that went down in beautiful forms of art. Every time I rewatch it I go "OHH so THAT'S what was going on in that drawing!" It's super surreal to not have any idea what the scenes mean, and then rewatching them to know exactly what everything is and how it connects. Thank you so much for making such an incredibly dope PMV, it's without doubt my favorite video of all time. Can't wait to come back once I finish The Crystal Kingdom! ;DD

[@theichthusfish]

update, this video is the reason "don't let's start" is my number one spotify song of the year and why it makes my heart swell

[@fgdbbddhhdhdj1591]

I love how you drawn this 0:37 guy. You managed to draw him really predatory and dangerous despite him having a really composed pose and calm expression. That's just so cool.

[@taakofromtv150]

Best taz animatic ever

[@elijahh2220]

Holy shit, this just got put back into my recommended for some reason three years later. What a goddamn throwback

[@Lelourim]

Thank you for this; all because I heard this song on the radio I ended up here and now I am a TAZ fan. Every time I listened to the podcast I would come back to this video to see how far I progressed on the song, and it was really quite great when I finished the podcast and was able to recognize everything in the video.

[@snekboiboop]

re watching this actually brings positive memories back, I love this!

[@YourFriendTomFromMyspace]

I love the colors in this. And I like how Taako's hair changes.

[@darkAwesome100]

This shit always makes me so emotional. I wish I could experience it for the first time again.

[@katy8161]

I heard this song on the radio this morning and was like, welp, time to go rewatch the TAZ vid for the umpteenth time. This is genuinely one of my favorite things on the internet, let alone youtube. The Suffering Game "don't don't don't let's start" is just. It's chef kiss. My husband is nearly annoyed at my going IT'S SO GOOD!!! at that part, because I do it every time. And I watch this about once a month, I think. I love love love what you've done with the song, with the imagery, with the characters -- truly a spectacular piece of art.

[@doc8186]

a secret: every time i listen to a few more episodes i go back and watch this and stop when i no longer know what the image is. it makes me so happy

[@Saede]

This whole thing is amazing but the Petals to the Metal parts broke me pretty hard even though it was brief. Oh Hurley. Thank you so much for making this. It's lovely.

[@DoctorX17]

This is beautiful and amazing and I'm crying

[@rlvids9889]

I've watched this a million times and I only just noticed - it seems like Taako's face gets less and less hidden as the video progresses, like at first he's got his hat pulled way down and his hair and scarves blocking a lot of it, but as it goes on we see that less and less, like it mirrors how he gradually opens up to the other characters more. Don't know if that was intentional or just how it turned out, but it's pretty neat.

[@clickthoughts5248]

This might just be my favourite TAZ related fan product

[@paopusprout]

A TAZ animatic with amazing art and my favourite TMBG song? I'm in love

[@throwspaghetti]

I was saving this video to watch after I finish the final episode of TAZ: Balance. Today I finally listened to the finale and this video was a perfect way to round it off. Thank you for making this awesome artwork!! (I’m three years late to the party but oh well!) ☺️

[@roguetheotter]

im 6 years too late to find this, though i've listened to Balance approximately a million times, i somehow missed this video and it is a masterpiece. absolutely incredible. each frame so beautifully drawn and matched up to the words impeccably. im in awe. well done.

[@johnb8265]

It is 2020 and this still holds up as my favorite TAZ Animatic.

[@SoupwithSeafood]

this is fucking astounding

[@newbestfriend5867]

Me, halfway through: "wow Taako has eyes."

[@gryffon42]

The first time I saw this, I was only five episodes into TAZ. You have no idea how exciting it is to be able to understand things now.

[@BF-li8pv]

The bit with Jenkins where the background goes to black literally comes to me in dreams sometimes

[@RickyKingProductions]

this is one of my favorite animatics of all time thank you

[@imogensharif4348]

The Petals to the Metal part is the one that makes me feel the fuzziest inside

[@numbersninja7858]

Anyone who's a fan of TAZ and TMBG is a good person in my eyes

[@justinstraub6624]

Oh......my......GOD! What is it about TAZ that fills it community with some of the most talented amazing people?

[@weatherzane]

i want to play this video on a gigantic HD TV, so i can absorb *everything*. i don’t think i’ve ever loved and ached for a story and world like TAZ’s balance arc?? and the obvious love and care for each detail makes me cry-in the BEST possible way. if there were a way to carve a youtube video into your heart, this would be on mine.

[@ribbitcryptid]

sometimes u you just gotta cry at like 3am because something like captures all of one of ur special interests so well and its making u overly emotional because its something u love a lot yknow? god this is a great video.

[@clickthoughts5248]

This is one of the all time greats

[@fluckadrift]

Holy SHIT. The sheer density of what you're doing here is just amazing. The art is gorgeous - I love your use of bright, vivid color - but the amount of thought you put into matching images to specific moments here is just stunning. Kudos.

[@krzlcve]

Probs my favorite tax animatic and I’ve watched hundreds, so amazing

[@adquinton]

This is absolutely incredible!

[@spang4775]

Excuse me!!!! I spent most of this video gasping and yelling "I LOVE THAT INTERPRETATION" this is absolutely amazing and wonderful and i am going to watch it fifty more times

[@kirstenproctor6086]

This is gorgeous, wow, your art is amazing

[@mudkipaficionado7547]

I love this so much!! Good work!!

[@giannaaaaa2299]

This is so amazing!! I love your character designs and your art style aaaa!!

[@ameliabatchelor]

This is so amazing - so much hard work must have gone into this !!!

[@maps2468]

This is freaking amazing! I love it so much!

[@LeaBeans]

This is AMAZING!!!! Your designs are so cool and your art style is to die for, awesome job!!!!

[@notoriousgib5167]

i saw this video when i looked up dont lets start. you legit started my love into taz, and subsequently furthered my interest in dnd. i have you to thank.

[@BigHugeFrog]

That was amazing! So much work!

[@ericbarbara7486]

I have watched this at least 8 times and I love it to death!!! Great job and beautiful art!!!

[@charlottegreen8906]

i had to rewatch this at 1/2 speed and pause on every picture to fully appreciate the hard work, skill, and effort that has been put into this. holy shit, this is absolutely incredible, you did such an awesome job i am completely blown away.

[@maloneymaloney5204]

The art here is absolutely phenomenal! I absolutely love this take on the characters.

[@Wargames50]

I can't stop watching this! Great job here!

[@mhgcranger]

God, I love Taako's outfits in this so much.

[@semisensical]

This is incredible. I love it.

[@clashatdemonhead1993]

This is absolutely AMAZING!

[@veraeroes]

this is genuinely incredible and it means a lot to me,, i love love love how much detail & thought there is in each frame!!!!! greatjob!!

[@crustacrank]

this is fantastic and I love it thank you

[@carolineboer5218]

Absolutely incredible job! Wow!

[@emsnflwrboy3104]

this is seriously so well made and looks so nice, so amazingly good job on this! definitely one of my favourite TAZ videos!

[@briannawalsh3772]

This was amazing! You're super talented.