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andy1687manga · 4 months ago

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What In God's Name Is The Actor AU

AKA ACTOR AU MEGA POST

[here is the Actor AU doc for those asking “what in god’s name is What in God’s Name Is the Actor AU”]

i've had this going for so long and so many iterations of it and so much conflicting and complex history that i'm trying to untangle the web a little and lay it out so people know what the heck i'm talking about. i may or may not revise or add onto this! BUT! here is a complete history of this AU that has been cooking away in my head for 4.5 years and has/will dominate much discussion on this blog. buckle up like it's 2013 Tumblr all over again. LET'S GO

What is the Actor AU and Why Do You Keep Mentioning It WHAT IS IT

as the name implies, it's an AU in which the Looney Tunes characters are actors and the cartoons we so love and revere are actually equivalent to a real life acting business. i call it an AU because i am excessively pedantic and like to point out that while the shorts themselves boast this idea of the characters being in actors, furthered in the public perception by the framing of stuff like The Bugs Bunny Show, the characters are actually NOT intended to be real actors. not every single cartoon is supposed to be interpreted with the characters being actors--except for the ones that DO follow this framing! there is no real LT canon, the situations and dynamics change every single short. this doesn't really matter to the purposes of this post or my au, but i just always feel the need to clarify since i have seen a lot of misconceptions spread around that every short has the characters acting. not the case!

...except for the purposes of this au! the Actor AU is mainly focused on Porky and Daffy--more specifically, how Porky met Daffy through acting, how they both rose to stardom, how their livelihoods changed (or didn't change) and just exploring their general dynamic. there are lot of victories! there are a lot of obstacles! think of it as a sort of biography of Porky and Daffy's lives if they were actors and these cartoons they made were real films. the history of these films is as integral to the AU as the characters.

i've had this brewing since at least April 2020. as a consequence, it has undergone a lot of changing, retooling, throwing out, recycling, etcetera. i'd say it can be divided into three different generations:

Generation One: April -- July 2020

when i first started the actor au, it was a lot of spitballing between myself and a friend. at that point, it was more to shunt Porky and Daffy in a different context and explore that rather than actually building and considering the parameters of the story. it was much more angsty and fanfiction-y--i pretty much disavow/disregard everything that came out of this period for my purposes of the au now, but it's still worth exploring given that it's why we're here.

the general premise was exploring Daffy's personality shift in the cartoons (which is already a personal red flag for me now, since it's not nearly black and white as i once thought/made it out to be--those egocentric and greedy tendencies are there from the very beginning, but i digress); upon learning that Porky's solo-contract has run out, and that he's only slated to star alongside pre-existing characters such as Daffy for the remainder of his tenure, Daffy grows bitter and resentful on Porky's behalf regarding the studio politics. he channels this into the cartoons, and is met with effusive praise with this new spin on his persona.

Daffy is much more bothered about Porky's predicament than Porky is, who is just grateful to still have a job at all and get to be alongside Daffy. they've been close for years and years and helped uplift each other to stardom, teaching each other everything they know; Porky is incredibly proud of Daffy's success. Daffy, however, gets to thinking that his success is directly robbing Porky from his own, and then it gets into this very by-the-books angst misunderstanding "Daffy distances himself from Porky because he fears hurting or 'leading him on' by being close to him, whereas Porky is confused as to why Daffy is being so aloof and distant and dismissive but tries his best to support him regardless, perpetuating the cycle" yadda yadda.

here's some spitballing i did when conceptualizing this:

there was, again, a lot of angst and stuff i wouldn't really ever do now (i think i must have been working through something at the time lol), but a lot of awkward tension between Daffy and Porky. Daffy letting himself get all run down and listless, Porky in his own tatters spending so much time worrying about Daffy. at one point he tricks Daffy into coming over to his house with promises of a nice home-cooked meal... only to have not made it and instead brought Daffy there to stall for time because he really wants to talk to him. Daffy is pissed about this, and Porky lets his emotions get the best of him and confronts him about how run down and self deprecating and awful he is to himself and how it hurts Porky to see

everything does eventually work out... even if it's years down the line. i had two different "endings" for this--there was one where this charade goes on all the way up to the production of The Looney Tunes Show (which i'm unsure i'd ever work that far ahead now) where Daffy is at the peak of his assholery in now both real life and the cartoons, they confess their true feelings that this all spiraled out of control because they care deeply about one another. they're able to get a new lease on life knowing the air has been cleared, they're booking more acting gigs, but they're just able to enjoy their company the most of all.

the second and i'd say more "canon" ending to this was essentially the same, but this being confined much earlier, after Porky's last cartoon of the classic era comes out. Porky asks if Daffy wants to go to a drive-in with him. they're practically not even on speaking terms anymore, have barely starred in any cartoons together within the past few years, but Daffy knows he would be wasting an opportunity if he didn't. so they go, get some grub, and then the same aforementioned confession/catharsis spills out

AND THAT'S KINDA THE END FOR THAT? at least chronologically. there's a lot more of this angsty/pining/whatever stuff in between that maybe i'll post one day, but for now the photo limit may be working against me. which leads me toooo

Generation Two August 2021 -- November 2021

due to Circumstances, i didn't touch or collaborate or really do anything with the AU for a whiiiiile. when coming back to it, a lot of my priorities and understanding of the characters had changed a lot. gen 2 also gets a bit more complex, because there was a sort of "AU within an AU", which i'll get to eventually.

the actor au was we know it today, like the doc i have in my pinned, i started writing said doc in September 2021. i wrote the first three chapters or so from Sep. to Nov. 2021, so there'll be a bit of overlap. because of this, i think gen 2 can be considered a combination of gen 1 and the eventual gen 3.

BUT! the summation for THIS era is: the whole "personality change" thing is largely tweaked. Daffy still kind of eventually ends up being a bit of a jerk because of his weird projection for Porky's career or lack thereof, but it isn't as immediate as gen 1. he's still much more willing to cling to the good times. i also imagine Porky and Daffy are much closer and more joined at the hip in the years leading up to this. going to parties together, always bragging about the other, saving every bit of memorabilia, loooooong phone calls, saving pictures and letters of the other. they are a complete dynamic duo, very involved with each other. gen 1 explored more of the turning point, but gen 2 explores sort of how we got there to begin with

Daffy’s Dickishness (for lack of a better word) materializes more closely to putting on a farce. talking about how he’s one of the big shots now and happy to give Porky some tips and pointers. will spend time with him and be like “don’t tell me i can’t fraternize with the little people every once and awhile!” Porky, conversely, is much more impatient and doesn’t let Daffy’s BS slide nearly as much. he still cares deeply for him and does stick by his side despite not knowing why—he knows he’s clearly hurting and projecting or going through some sort of weirdness to make him act this way. and, also, Daffy is just too important for Porky to abandon. but Porky i think is less of a doormat than he would be in gen 1, thank goodness

as mentioned above, Daffy makes an ass of himself, Porky takes him home. reminisces on how he’s never actually seen the inside of Daffy’s apartment before—usually Daffy would invite himself over to Porkys and would often just stay there for so long that it was a bit of a second home for him. this lessens when Daffy starts distancing himself from Porky. and Porky soon sees why; despite having a great amount of notoriety and presumed money to his name, Daffy’s apartment is super dilapidated and ill maintained and a complete embarrassment. Porky also notes that there is a ton of memorabilia with himself and Daffy that Daffy has hanging up on his walls, scattered on the floor, etc.

(here is an example i sketched out that i still like, Porky probably finds an old script for a cartoon that the two of them collaborated on back in the day)

ALSO. i said i'd keep the context for this a surprise. i lied, it ties into this as well, here ye be

in any case they sort of keep doing what they’re doing in this strained, awkward tension. their interactions are amicable, they do their cartoons, but Daffy doesn’t really stop inflating himself to be this big hot shot instead of confronting his feelings and Porky just puts on a brave face because he doesn’t want to lose Daffy and, also, he knows that he’s hurting.

later on, Porky’s done his classic run of cartoons. Daffy is nearing the end of his. they’ve both dropped their respective façades and their clear discomfort for their circumstances is really beginning to show. i never got to the details of this, but they end up having a BIG blowout over this. Porky probably calls Daffy out, Daffy gets pissed, there’s a big fight and harsh words are exchanged and they basically both vow to never see each other again

which leads me to a subsection of gen 2, that is an AU within an AU:

The Vegas AU: August 2021 — September 2021.

SO. this entirely hinges from this video (which is so cute and fun please watch it). in it Daffy mentions that he and Porky just got back from a trip to Vegas. so…

about two years after their falling out, each are miserable. Porky is reclusive and keeps a low profile, not wanting anything to do with acting or anything that guarantees seeing Daffy again. Daffy’s own contract is over and he’s now forced to stew with his emotions (the horror!) and he’s still making public appearances, but is clearly worn out and exhausted and just. pathetic.

one day, Daffy finally realizes he wants all of this to change. he misses Porky desperately and realizes he’s been acting a fool and just wants a chance to make things right. so, what does he do? after two years of not speaking, he goes to Porky’s door with suitcases in the car, thrusts one in Porky’s hands, and tells them to get packing because they’re going to Vegas. Daffy is all smiles and all nicknames and witty comments just like he used to be—Porky is completely stunned and is mad, sad, relieved, excited; a complete cocktail of emotions and he just cannot believe that this is happening.

Porky eventually gives in because he’s too tired and confused, and secretly shares the same line of thinking as Daffy in that he’s desperate to relive the good times. they road-trip out to Vegas, Porky is cold and distant the entire time but somewhat grateful for the opportunity to reminisce on old memories. he still can’t believe any of this is happening. Daffy, meanwhile, is trying his best to be a good sport and doing a good job at it—he really seems like his old self, but there’s a clear frustration/disappointment that Porky is so cold to his advances.

long story short, they get there, book a hotel. Daffy is all excited trying to rile Porky up about all the gambling and drinking and partying they’re going to do. Porky wants none of it, resigns himself to staying in their room and even threatens to hitchhike home if he has to. Daffy is so frustrated that he’s trying to do a good thing and doesn’t understand why Porky won’t accept his good graces, and Porky is wary that Daffy has an end goal in mind—he’s scared of them growing close only to just explode apart again. they have an argument that they sleep on, argument soon turns to bargaining… Daffy convinces Porky to stay and promises him that they can take it slow if they need to. even if it’s just driving somewhere and eating in a crappy little diner like old times.

Porky slowly begins to loosen up, and they both begin to have a better and better time as the days progress. before they know it this turns to partying, drinking, dancing like old times. getting close together like old times. all of the tension that has been broiling for the past 15-20 years is gone. this drawing directly connects to this

so much so that This sparks this generation/au’s crowning “confession” moment, there’s not really a specific “i love you” moment per se buuuuuuuuuut um. well. yeah i’ll let these speak for themselves 3 years later i’m still shy lol

and so after that, everything is great. they enjoy the rest of their time in Vegas and head back home rejuvenated and clear of their tensions. cartoons aren’t much of a concern; they haven’t had much work, but they have each other, they have enough money squirreled away to be happy. ironically, more odd jobs begin cropping up for them. it’s a genuinely happy ending. huzzah!

and now! time for

Generation 3: September 2021 — right now!

AS I MENTIONED ABOVE the previous two generations end up blending together a bit. i was enjoying gen 2 a lot and felt i had a better balance of the characters actually being in character and true to the cartoons, as well as unique to the specific circumstances they’re being put in for this au.

BUT, there was still a part of me that was just kind of tired of all this drama and angst and cattiness. i retooled the au to be less angsty and out of character, but i still felt unsatisfied. gen 1 explored the catalyst, gen 2 explored how we got to the catalyst and the aftermath. gen 3 explores how we got to how we got to the catalyst. in other words, BACK AT THE BEGINNING

gen 3 is a bit fragmented. i started it in September 2021, dropped it in November 2021, and sort of began pecking at it in the years since. a lot of my exploration of the au is remembering what i was thinking and planning three years ago, and adapting to how i interpret and view the characters now. seeing if my changes make sense in the canon i established. as such, i don’t have as much insight on how this will go! will there be a big conflict? i don’t know!

i view this as a biography. i’m just capturing the objective story of how Porky and Daffy came to be. reporting on little moments in their life, and big ones. how they react to their fame, how they reach it, etc etc. it’s a true exploration of their lives.

the gist is this: Porky lives out on a farm with his family out in Kansas. he’s always been very quiet, reclusive, kept to himself—hard working and loyal, but very affixed to his mannerisms and himself. detached from his emotions and aspirations. all that matters is the day he’s living in

one day, he gets a call from Petunia, who is a longtime family friend that is essentially a sister figure to Porky. she moved out to Hollywood years ago and works as a dressmaker for the Warner Brothers studio. one day, she calls Porky in a rush and demands he come see her right away for some incredibly urgent business.

Porky does so… only to realize that he’s been tricked into visiting her. Petunia drops the news that WB is looking for actors, and she thinks he’d be a perfect pick. Porky, who is deeply insecure, finds this incredibly insulting and interprets it as a cruel joke. he’s never had any sort of interest in acting and doesn’t believe Petunia and Penelope’s—her girlfriend that she lives with, who Porky does not realize that she was her girlfriend for YEARS—reassurances.

Petunia tricks Porky into interviewing for the job, and, miraculously, he gets it. the head honchos and directors of the studio are transfixed by his peculiarities and think he has a very warm, natural charm. and, as it turns out, Porky does have acting chops that he never really knew he had. somehow, Porky stumbles his way to stardom. he lives with Petunia and Penny until he can get on his feet (which, he probably could have done much earlier, but enjoys their company), he makes a good name for himself. somehow, it all worked out.

in spite of this, Porky never feels fulfilled. he’s grateful for his success, but he still doesn’t recognize his own talents and feels like he’s just stumbling into a series of walls. he doesn’t really have many close connections with his coworkers, and he can sense that there is some occasional lack of patience from the directors with his stuttering and anxiety. he feels like he’s an actor because he’s supposed to be, but he doesn’t know what else he would do.

and along comes a duck!

enter Daffy. Daffy forces his way into Porky’s dressing room (and life) and introduces himself as both a huge fan and his new coworker. Porky is completely gobsmacked, as he has never seen anyone talk or look or move or act like Daffy. he’s very wary at first, and especially more so when realizing Daffy is to star in a cartoon with him (which he received no prior word of) but nevertheless goes along with it. he’s trepidatious and nervous, but transfixed and curious even more so.

YADDA YADDA YADDA. long story short, Daffy turns out to be an insane acting talent. he makes sounds and movements that Porky has never seen before. he is quickly overwhelmed by his talent, and Daffy is overwhelmed with the effusive praise of his own inspiration. they both promise to teach each other as much as they can—thus, they spend the next weeks, months, years, and decades getting close to one another. they eventually move in together and do absolutely everything together. they are joined at the hip.

i don’t know if there will be a big “ohhh i love you 😘😘😘😘😘” scene in here or anything because that’s not really my goal with the characters. i’ve said it in other posts that i think they’re love for each other is so… omnipresent and such a result of a natural profession that to give it a big moment feels confining and artificial for my purposes of handling the characters. at the same time, this may just seem like me stringing everyone along LOL. so i’m not sure. but that’s what i’m excited most about this, is exploring the various ways in which they just play off of each other and regard each other. what is the day in the life of Porky Pig! of Daffy Duck? of Porky and Daffy? i’m just here to document my findings and let the characters speak for themselves. my goal isn’t romance or fandom tropes. it’s just letting the characters exist and expressing this little universe or interpretation ive concocted in my head for others to see and experience. i think Porky and Daffy do genuinely love each other though, in many different ways, and so that will be a byproduct of this/it’s sort of just… imbued in everything.

i don’t know how it’ll end or where it’ll take us or the characters, and i’m excited for that! i’m really happy with the direction i’m taking it in now because so much of it is rooted in just… observation. cartoon history. i’m letting the cartoons and the characters speak for themselves and picking up the threads and seeing if they connect. there’s a lot from previous generations that makes me cringe, but it’s still valuable to share and i know that even if i don’t get much out of them now, there are people who will. plus, i want people to be involved with this au! i know that’s kind of oxymoronic since i made this little hideout side blog to get away from the spotlight LOL. but i made it because i wanted my little sandbox, and there’s just so much rich history with this entire au that i think it helps to understand where it comes from.

so thanks for reading! you are amazing for making this far! and maybe even concerning! my fingers hurt so much! but it’s WORTH IT. i’m excited to see where this au develops and i hope you’ll enjoy the ride alongside me

#I LOVE THIS SO MUCH AAAAAA #LITERALLY IS AMAZING #i just love this au and see all the things behind it it's just amazing!!#i can't wait to see it finish #en la parte de las vegas estaba en plan noooo mis papis 😭#literal es increible no tengo palabras para explicar lo flipante que me parece aaaaaa

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