Did you know that the Iconic "The Simpsons" animated TV show started in 1987 as a cartoon short on the "Tracy Ullman Show"? "The Simpsons" from there got a half-hour Christmas special "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" in 1989. This sneak peek leads to "The Simpsons" pilot episode in their first season. However, the official regular airing did not start until January 1990.
It has been thirty-six years since Matt Groening, the producer of "The Simpsons" first released his first cartoon short on the "Tracy Ullman Show". Over the thirty-six years "The Simpsons: has released 35 seasons with over seven hundred episodes. You may wonder how Matt Groening and the other producers have continued to hold an audience of millions for such a long time.
One of the reasons for their success is the complex system they have set for making the episodes. Here are the steps they take:
The first step for making an episode involves the producers coming together to make up a storyline.
If the storyline is accepted the idea is, then passed on to the writing staff who will then make a script for the episode.
After weeks of revising and plenty meetings, the script is then passed on to the voice actors. This is when the voice actors have a table reading to see if the script works out. After the table reading the actors will separately record their parts in a sound booth.
From here the artist starts to make a storyboard. This includes an outline of what is occurring during the episode like the actions of the characters and the
background.
5. In step five more artists come together to add the details and perfect the layout of the episode. This is also when the production team and director make specific edits of their own.
6. The next and most completed step includes an exposer sheet. on this sheet, there is a play-by-play of everything that happens. This even includes the exact time that each action happens. This step helps to ensure that everything matches the dialogue and animations.
7. This step includes printing the scenes and checking them again before the scenes are sent to Akom studio in South Korea. This is where the magic begins, the team of artists then adds the final animations. Like adding the colors to the scenes.
8. In the last step of this lengthy process, the final piece is sent to producers who will take the frames, add music, and put them together to make the final product of the TV show.
This process might seem tedious and drawn out, but it has allowed the creators of "The Simpsons" to produce eye-catching content that has entertained many audience for over 30 years, and many more years to come.
