Channel Frederator Blog

Most action has three parts.

1. Preparing for the action (the anticipation)
2. The action itself
3. Ending of the action

The anticipation can serve several purposes. The most common is to show the viewer what is about to happen. You are also building up the energy for whatever is about to happen next. You see this a lot right before a fast run or quick motion, like when Tom tries to hit Jerry with a log from the fireplace.

This is also an opportunity for humor. Many times, the anticipation of a move or action is not equal to the result. Look at how Jerry anticipates the ripping of the book (around the 3:50 mark). You are setting up the audience for one result, and then showing them something they are not expecting.

Anticipation is an important part of animation, otherwise you are going to end up with a lot of quick motions with little or no continuity. [Read more…]

There have been many Hanna Barbera characters with personalities based on famous actors and personalities. The Flintstones had their Honeymooners influences, Jabber Jaw sounded a lot like Curly from the Three Stooges, and Doggie Daddy (from the series of Augie Doggie cartoons) was no different. While he sounds like Jimmy Durante, his character and his relationship with his son are actually borrowed from two earlier Hanna Barbera characters, Spike and Tyke, who were created while they were at MGM. Spike’s son Tyke first appeared in the 1949 short “Love that Pup”.

The main difference (other than breed of dog) would be the character of the son. Spike’s son Tyke is seemingly much younger than Augie, as Tyke cannot speak, only bark. Perhaps the time difference in first appearances would account for the aging of the son? Tyke was created in 1949. If he continued to age in real time, he would be very close [Read more…]