How to Write Funny Scripts for Disney's "The 7D"

In our never-ending goal to demonstrate the art of animation production, Cartoonatics is proud to present a step-by-step analysis of the script-writing process used for the upcoming animated television series, Disney's "The 7D."


Step One

To create stories for "The 7D," assemble a team of top-notch animation writers.  Since your budget is limited, offer these writers relatively low salaries but throw in attractive perqs like free bowls of breakfast cereal and unlimited elevator rides to and from the workplace lobby.

Back row:  Paul Rugg, Randy Rogel, Tom Ruegger, Roger Eschbacher.  Front row:  Sherri Stoner, Deanna Oliver, Shea Fontana

                                                                ************

Step Two

Once you have hired seven writers, one for each of the lead 7D characters, gather those writers together into a "think tank" (AKA "cubicle").

Each work day, the writers meet to think up funny story ideas.   This process could take quite a bit of time, anything from a few minutes to more than 26 months, depending on various factors, including budget, burned-out brain cells and distracting YouTube videos.   

                                                                ************ 



Step Three 

Once a writer comes up with an idea, he shares it with the writing team.  Whether the idea is brilliant or lame, the rest of the team is supportive and embraces the idea with enthusiasm. 

                                                                ************


Step Four

The story editor quietly informs the writer that the proposed story idea is unfeasible, hackneyed, unfunny, already-been-done and rejected months ago by the network.  Other than that, it's a keeper.

                                                                ************

Step Five 

The writers resume the process of thinking up funny story ideas. 

                                                                ************  

Step Six

11 am:  Lunch Time!

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Step Seven 

2 pm:  The arduous story-breaking process resumes.  

                                                                ************ 

Step Eight  

Inspiration strikes!  

Unable to come up with an original idea, the team decides to do a parody of a  popular TV show or movie...but with a "7D twist!"

                                                                ************

Step Nine

The writers decide that each story will be character-driven and will feature the unique, charming, lovable, funny and friendly personalities of our seven stars:   the 7D.  

                                                                ************

Step Ten   

It's the job of the writers to make sure every story includes not only comedy and adventure, but also a warm, gentle moment that will touch the hearts of our audience. 

                                                                ************ 

Step Eleven

And if the script comes in short -- add a song.   A peppy song. 

If it's really short -- add two songs! 

                                                                ************

Step Twelve   

After an exhausting day of profound pondering and crafting fairy tales for the 21st century,  it's quitting time!  

                                                                ************  

And that's just a peek at the fast-paced process of writing cartoon comedy for the new animated TV series, Disney's "The 7D!"

"Tiny Toon Adventures" -- Early Logo -- Part 2

Here's another early "Tiny Toon Adventures" logo that Alfred Gimeno and I worked on for a while.  Of course, we ultimately went with the ring logo, further below.  

"Tiny Toon Adventures" -- Early Logo

Here's a preliminary sketch for a "Tiny Toon Adventures" logo.  I think this one was drawn by Alfred Gimeno.  Alfred and Ken Boyer came up with a bunch of different logos for the show, including the one that was ultimately used. 

 

                                                                                                  Tiny Toon Adventures (c) Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.

The Animator and the Assistant

Drawing from 1978:  Working as an assistant animator at Hanna-Barbera.  Ahh, those were the days!

Yolko Reacts

                                         From "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Loons"  

The Premiere of "Pinky and the Brain"

Original cell set-up and background from Pinky and the Brain's first appearance:  "Win Big," from  "Animaniacs," Episode #2.

Let's Hit the Road!

                          "Road Rovers" development art from the last century!
                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                   Road Rovers  (C) 1996 Warner Bros.

Scooby's First Wild Take

These are screen captures of Scooby's first wild take from the very first episode of Hanna-Barbera's "A Pup Named Scooby Doo."  The episode title:  "A Bicycle Built For Boo."  

The storyboard was by Scott Jeralds.  Glen Kennedy supervised the animation on the show at Cuckoo's Nest...and Glen personally animated this opening sequence.   

"Pup" was my first producing job.  I wanted to get it right, right out of the gate.  I knew the direction and timing on this would be crucial.  So I went to the best guy I knew for the job and I asked him to do it, as a favor.  He agreed...and for the next ten days, he locked himself in his office and directed and timed the daylights out of the entire show -- with his metronome swinging back and forth the whole time.   To finish the sheets, it took him over a week...and when he was done, he complained that it had been a ton of work.  But then he had to admit that he hadn't had so much fun in years.  

So who was the uncredited director and sheet timer of the first episode of "A Pup Named Scooby Doo?"

The guy who built and ran the place!  

The Academy Award-winning master cartoon director himself...

Bill Hanna!

                                             "A Pup Named Scooby Doo" (c) 2010 Hanna-Barbera & Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.