“Llama Cop” is a live-action comedy and is currently in its first season on the Starz YouTube Channel, Union Pool. Starz began creating web series for YouTube in 2007 to help expand the premium cable channel’s overall presence on the web, and to adapt to the changing industry. The Union Pool channel premiered in Fall 2013.
Starz Digital describes the main characters of the show as “a by-the-book detective partnered with unpredictable rookie.” That rookie is Buddy Callahan, who breaks all the rules, doesn’t listen to orders—and is a live llama. The two join forces to bring down the syndicate responsible for another cop’s death.
It all began when Clark was working on a zombie show called “The Working Dead” and connected with someone from Starz at the ITVFest. Clark and his writing partner, Walter Masterson, were able to pitch a few ideas to Starz, and the rest became history. That doesn’t mean it was easy.
"Finding locations was a bit of a challenge," said Clark. "I mean first you need a place willing to let you use it for cheap, then you have to explain that you might have a gun fight there. And then there's the live llama."
Clark and his team had their work cut out for themselves filming scenes in suburban neighborhoods, warehouses, even a church.
"The church was the hardest," said Clark. "Apparently many denominations have a problem with a six foot tall, south American pack animal stepping up on the altar one scene before it has a gunfight over drugs."
Speaking of the llama, filming with a live animal was also not without its challenges.
"This was our first time working with an animal, and it was the animal's first time working with a film crew, so no one knew what to expect," Clark said. "Llamas, as it turns out, are pretty much big house cats."
Ultimately, the crew was able to find everything they needed, and their star, Como T. Llama, was able to handle his scenes, delivering a performance you'll have to see to believe.
The show has garnered a range of reactions and has been picked up by news sources ranging from TMZ to the Peruvian News Network, and the Washington Post to Back Stage Magazine.
“It has an incredibly diverse audience,” said Clark. “I feel like this is the only time in history we could pitch this idea.”
Clark has briefly appeared in several episodes, but mostly remains behind the scenes. He was happy with the first season, although they didn’t get a car chase scene—but there’s always room in a possible second season.
Aside from that, Clark is always thinking of new ideas and looking for the next opportunity.
“Bigger and better is always the goal. We got paid to make a t.v. show about a llama,” Clark said. “Imagine what we can do with other ideas.”
As a student, Clark doubled majored in Creative Writing and Political Science, was a Medallion Scholar and a member of the Lee Honors College, founded the Whimsicality Club, was in Phi Beta Kappa, took three study abroad trips, and wrote for the Western Herald. Before working for the public advocate of NYC and writing full-time, Clark spent several years working with Teach for America.
Episodes of “Llama Cop” are available on the Starz Youtube Channel Union Pool, please click here.