Veteran actors lend voices to former New Lenox man's animated web series

NEW LENOX – Once upon a time in New Lenox lived a young journalist named Justin Marchert, who discovered he preferred acting to reporting.

So Marchert moved to Los Angeles in 2004, when he met independent filmmakers and other actors. Now, since Marchert always liked “doodling silly stuff,” he decided to create his own animated web series – “Fantasy Hospital.”

The short summary, according to Marchert, an independent animator and entertainer for children’s parties, is “ ‘Scrubs’ meet ‘The Simpsons’ meet ‘Harry Potter.’ ”

The main character?

“A medical school dropout named Dr. Max Tuduski,” Marchert said.

Think Philip J. Fry from the animated sitcom “Futurama.”

Of course, fantasy beings staff “Fantasy Hospital,” the place where dwarfs, giants, fairies and wizard doctors cure magical maladies. But real veteran actors voice these creatures – actors such as Pete Holmes, Jonah Ray, Pauley Perrette, Wil Wheaton and Emma Caulfield – whom Marchert met through networking in Los Angeles.

Other cast members include Jim Marchert – Justin’s father, a professional and community theater actor – as the Steampunk Inspector Badger and Justin’s friend, Nathan Baker of Los Angeles, who plays a character – Muse – that is made of water.

Marchert himself voices Dr. Tuduski.

The plot gets moving when The High Wizard decides the human subspecies needs saving. The magical creatures try to pull a brilliant human doctor into their world – and end up with Tuduski instead.

Oops.

“Episodes are about five minutes,” Justin said, “which is long for a web series. Web series tend to be fairly short. People do 30-second shows.”

Inspiration for the series includes the hospital comedy show “M*A*S*H,” the puppet Dr. Bob, “Tales from the Far Side” sketches – and the loss of Justin’s mother to cancer eight years ago.

“I spent a lot of time in hospital rooms, eventually getting the ‘no turning back’ kind of news,” Justin said. “I’d think, ‘If only the doctor had a magic wand. In a fantasy world, some sort of magical doctor would make this all better.”

Thinking the concept would appeal to the masses (“Everyone’s been in that boat,” Justin said), he started sketching characters, writing scripts and then sharing his results with a critique group.

Justin animated the series, primarily in 2-D with Toon Boom software, which he said in a news release was used for “The Simpsons,” “Bob’s Burgers,” “Family Guy,” “South Park” and “Archer.”

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KNOW MORE

The first season of “Fantasy Hospital” ran from June 22 to Nov. 30. View episodes on YouTube. Independent animator Justin Marchert is currently seeking funding for season two.

For more information, visit www.FantasyHospital.com or www.marchert.com.

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VOICE CAST

• Dr. Drexel Bonaventure, reformed evil wizard – Pete Holmes (HBO’s upcoming “Crashing”)

• Nurse Misty Windham, erratic elf – Emma Caulfield (“Once Upon a Time,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”)

• Nickleby, hospital fairy – Pauley Perrette (“NCIS”)

• Giant Dr. Pakij, ogre gynecologist – Kunal Nayyar (“The Big Bang Theory”)

• The High Wizard – Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Stand By Me”)

• The centaur Hunter , quadramedic– Jonah Ray (“Hidden America,””MST3K,” The Meltdown,””Nerdist”)

• Dwarf Chief of Staff Kuckles – Robin Dearden (“Last Chance”)

• Max Tuduski – Justin Marchert (“The Summer of Massacre”)

Guest Voices:

• Fresa, Hoofington, etc. – Janet Varney (“Legend of Korra”)

• Lord Windham – Joe Penna (YouTube’s “MysteryGuitarMan”)

• Lady Gooseberry – Alison Rosen (“The Adam Carolla Show”)

• Berry King – Bill Ratner (G.I. Joe, animated))

• Dr. Tuduski – Marek Probosz (“Helter Skelter”)