Basil & Thyme Process Book

Joseph Allen
Cornish BFA 2021
Process Book

Introduction
In my time here at Cornish College of the Art, there have
many project I’ve considered doing as my BFA since I
enrolled here in the Fall of 2015. Finding a single project
to work on and finish wasn’t an easy task, as there were
many to choose from. But ultimately here, I believe that I
had made the right decision here.
What I have created here is a storyboard video,
otherwise known as an “animatic”, meant to be a
potential pilot for an animated cartoon series if and
when it is ever animated. The series in question is
called Basil & Thyme, which follows the adventures
of two titular characters: Two rabbits, the older sister
Thyme and the young brother Basil.
Writing-wise I wanted this series to follow three
specific styles of humor which were: Slapstick, Satire,
and Surrealism. In addition, also trying to cram in as
many jokes and funny moments in the animatic as I
possibly can. Even relatively subtle ones. It’s a style
of comedic writing that The Simpsons back in their
golden age would use frequently, and learning this
has influenced me to writing something comedic.
Joseph Allen | Process Book | BFA 2021

Thyme Adams
Gender: Female Age: 12

Thyme is an optimistic and happy-go-lucky
girl with a bit of a temper and lacking a
little in common sense. Some of favorite
pastimes include video gaming, soccer, and
teaching Basil the ways of the world.
As the older of the duo, she tries (though
often fails) to be a good role model and a
mentor figure to her more down-to-earth
though less experienced and knowledgable
sibling.
These above images were early sketches of Thyme before the
comic and by extension the animatic were fully realized. As
such, the design of Thyme herself has morphed a little but has
otherwised stay more or less intact. As for why Thyme lacks
pants or a skirt, this is mainly a combination of her originally
being male, but also well...simple gender equality...
Joseph Allen | Process Book | BFA 2021

Basil Adams
Gender: Male Age: 10

In contrast to his extroverted and optimistic
sister, Basil is shy, cautious, and even a
little cynical. Very close to his family but has
a harder time making friends, and instead
keeps to his sister for comfort and (ironically)
guidance.
That being said, Basil doesn’t like it when
Thyme treats him like a pet or a baby, which
she something, trying and usually failing to
become less dependent on her emotionally.
But despite being more of a voice of reason
for Thyme, he often goes along with the
latter’s antics, if more than not begrudingly.
Respecting one’s elders, especially older
siblings, is a major part of rabbit culture.
It is worth noting that Basil has a paw pads
on his hands and feet. While often they’re
portrayed as having them in most media
and pop culture, in real life, rabbits don’t
have paw pads but instead have feet covered
in fur. I added this lack of paws to
Thyme, but gave Basil them, kind of as a
meta-gag but also to highlight that he is
actually half-cat, half-rabbit.
Joseph Allen | Process Book | BFA 2021

Rosemary Hong
Gender: Female Age: 40

Basil and Thyme’s single and recently divorced
mother. As a family lawyer and a bit of
a workaholic, she tries her best to maintain a
steady income for her and her kids.
As a parent to her son and daughter, she
has a rather hand-off approach to parenting,
which can often bite her when she expects
it the least. This is mainly out of a combo of
exhaustion from work and also a philosophy
of letting kids learn things on their own. That
said, when she does discipline them when
necessary, and she’s far from kind about it.
Rosemary can however be rather vain and
materialistic though, often comparing herself
to other mother and other women.
She also loves clothes shopping and often
takes Basil and Thyme out to try clothes on
them, this is despite (or even because) of
their intense loathing of the hobby.
This is a very common form of punishment.
Joseph Allen | Process Book | BFA 2021

Saltworth “Salt” Hong
Gender: Male Age: 50

The best way to describe Salt is that he’s salty.
He is very conservative and traditional even
by the standards of his generation, with a
love of things made even before his time such
as old Western movies.
Salt’s main occupation is the co-owner and
head chef at the breakfast restaurant Betty’s
Garden in Downtown Pawston, which he runs
with his wife Pepper.
In contrast to his sister, and to a lesser extent
his wife, he is a firm disciplinarian and is not
afraid to punish Basil and Thyme with chores
when they misbehave.
This doesn’t mean however that Salt doesn’t
love, or even hates, or even hates his niece
and nephew. He simply has a very different
way of showing. In addition, he is more than
happy to cook the two rabbit kids and sister
free meals at Betty’s Garden.
Joseph Allen | Process Book | BFA 2021

Pepper Ann Hong
Gender: Female Age: 50

In a direct contrast to her husband, Pepper
is a sweeter and tolerate of her niece and
nephew, albeit not to the extent that her
sister-in-law does.
She also manages the business aspect of
the ownership of Betty’s Garden, such as
accounting and management. However
though, she keeps away from cooking as
that is admittedly not really her strong suit.
And while she has a high threshold for pain
and annoyance, when she does snap, you
better run away and far. She also has an
undying loyality and mutual respect for Salt
and does not tolerate it when anyone ever
acts rude, criticizes, or insults him in front
of her.
A side note about Pepper’s voice is that
she speaks with a transatlantic accent,
as she originates from the Basil & Thyme
world’s equivalent of Hong Kong.
Joseph Allen | Process Book | BFA 2021

Origins
The characters of Basil and Thyme were
initially comic characters that I post online.
The comic is still ongoing (albeit with quite
a few hiatuses). The comic itself began as
an assignment for a comics class in late
2018 at Cornish Colleges of the Arts.
Initially though, Basil and Thyme were a
single character in the form of a bunny boy
just named Basil and his last name being
Thyme. With this bunny character having a
best friend by the name of Sheldon.
Eventually over the course of a year, I
decided to split Basil into two character,
which are the Basil and Thyme that we all
know and probably love today.

Joseph Allen | Process Book | BFA 2021

Above is a remake of the comic from the
class which served as initial “episode” for
the Basil & Thyme webcomic.

Above are additional Basil & Thyme comics. You can
find this comic on the site “webtoons.com” where I
post my comics, albeit at an infrequent rate.
Joseph Allen | Process Book | BFA 2021

Inspiration
The cast of characters that appear
in this Comic and Animatic were by
inspired by or directly lifted from
my real life family. To the left is a
pic of my brother George Allen and
my recently passed mother Tamara
Chin. My mom served as the main
inspiration behind Rosemary. Right
down to even her occupation as a
family lawyer.
Basil and Thyme themselves are
not so much me and my brother, as
much as combination or mixture of
us. Both characters share elements
of both personalities with their own
unique elements. Neither me nor my
brother are extroverts like Thyme is,
for instance.

The characters of Pepper and Salt were
both based on my Auntie Mabel and my
Uncle Tom. Salt is the older brother of
Rosemary, as was my Uncle Tom was my
mom’s older brother. If any additional
members of the Hong or Adams family
will be added to the Basil and Thyme
cinematic universe, odds are they’ll be
based on or influences by one of my
own family members. I have a lot.
Joseph Allen | Process Book | BFA 2021

This book is typed and converted into PDF
format in Avenir fonts using Adobe InDesign.
By Joseph William Parra Allen for the Cornish
College of the Arts in Seattle, WA
Created for the Bachelors in Fine Arts.
September 2020 to April 2021.