I've read that episode production has gotten rather huge for the Simpsons in the past ten years. Episodes and such are written and pumped out several months in advance to a accommodate the large animation schedule requirements.
Don't take this as a direct attack on the hard work of you and your peers, but I personally suspect the "downfall of the Simpsons" (quoted as obviously not EVERYONE will agree with me) is partly because of this over- inflation of the production schedule, and how management chose to handle it. The $$ went to higher animation and not giving the writers what they needed to produce in- depth episodes (anyone remember when episodes where character driven?)
Now let me get this out there: the work that you and your peers do is GREAT. I have never under appreciated the ability the Simpsons has to properly illustrate whatever they want in order to make a joke work. Props to you and the rest of your co- workers for the skill and dedication you put into your work. Reddit alone is a sucker for all of those little easter eggs you love to include.
So here's my question:
Do the writers get the shaft these days when it comes to creative flexibility? It just seems like they're forced to pump out cheap jokes to fill an episode as quickly as possible in order to get it in the hands of the voice actors so animation can begin.
Has a higher value been put on the actors and animators than the writers?
Sorry for the wall o' text... And any spelling errors. Pumped this out on my phone.
biggie101163 karma
Thanks for the ama.
I've read that episode production has gotten rather huge for the Simpsons in the past ten years. Episodes and such are written and pumped out several months in advance to a accommodate the large animation schedule requirements.
Don't take this as a direct attack on the hard work of you and your peers, but I personally suspect the "downfall of the Simpsons" (quoted as obviously not EVERYONE will agree with me) is partly because of this over- inflation of the production schedule, and how management chose to handle it. The $$ went to higher animation and not giving the writers what they needed to produce in- depth episodes (anyone remember when episodes where character driven?)
Now let me get this out there: the work that you and your peers do is GREAT. I have never under appreciated the ability the Simpsons has to properly illustrate whatever they want in order to make a joke work. Props to you and the rest of your co- workers for the skill and dedication you put into your work. Reddit alone is a sucker for all of those little easter eggs you love to include.
So here's my question:
Do the writers get the shaft these days when it comes to creative flexibility? It just seems like they're forced to pump out cheap jokes to fill an episode as quickly as possible in order to get it in the hands of the voice actors so animation can begin.
Has a higher value been put on the actors and animators than the writers?
Sorry for the wall o' text... And any spelling errors. Pumped this out on my phone.
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