The Simpsons 'No-No Sheets’

Kid Leaves Stoop・2 minutes read

The original early Simpsons characters from the show's first season were cut after 10 episodes due to time constraints. Modern Simpsons character design rules include guidelines for facial expressions, eye design, hair design, clothing, and interactions.

Insights

  • Early Simpsons characters were removed from the show's opening credits due to time constraints and breaking established rules, leading to their redesign to adhere to modern character drawing guidelines.
  • The Simpsons' style guides contain detailed rules for animators, including specific guidelines for facial expressions, eye design, hair, teeth, clothing, and character interactions, emphasizing consistency and adherence to human anatomy principles in character design and animation techniques.

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Recent questions

  • How were early Simpsons characters designed?

    The early Simpsons characters were drawn by animation director David Silverman in 1989, featuring five nameless characters in the show's first season. These characters were part of the original opening credits but were removed after 10 episodes due to time constraints. The designs were revisited in commissioned illustrations that followed modern Simpsons character drawing rules.

  • What are the rules for drawing Simpsons characters?

    The Simpsons' style guides, created in the 1990s, contain rules for animators to maintain consistency in character design. These rules include guidelines for facial expressions, eye design, hair design, Bart's teeth, and interactions between characters. Specific rules prohibit cross-eyed characters, pointy smiles, and head-colored hair for incidental characters.

  • How do animators ensure consistency in character design?

    Animators ensure consistency in character design by following the detailed rules outlined in The Simpsons' style guides. These rules cover various aspects such as facial expressions, eye design, hair design, clothing guidelines, and anatomy. By adhering to these guidelines, animators can maintain the unique and recognizable look of Simpsons characters.

  • What principles are involved in the animation process of The Simpsons?

    The animation process of The Simpsons involves principles like squash and stretch, exaggeration, anticipation, and follow-through. Animators hand-paint approximately 130 frames of animation for scenes, focusing on successful composition and timing details for crowd animations like laughing and clapping. The run cycle animation is well-executed, showcasing the attention to detail in bringing the characters to life.

  • How are characters in the Simpsons universe constructed?

    Characters in the Simpsons universe are constructed using simple circles for shapes and scale, with specific measurements like Ned being 5 1/2 head balls high. The anatomy of Simpsons characters follows human anatomy principles, incorporating features like elbows, wrists, and shoulders. The animation process emphasizes maintaining consistency in character design while bringing out the unique personalities of each character through their appearance and interactions.

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Summary

00:00

"Early Simpsons characters and animation rules"

  • In early 1989, animation director David Silverman drew a picture featuring early Simpsons characters from the show's first season.
  • The five nameless characters were part of the original opening credits but were removed after 10 episodes due to time constraints.
  • The characters were cut because they broke rules established after the first season's intro was animated.
  • The characters' designs were revisited in commissioned illustrations that followed modern Simpsons character drawing rules.
  • The Simpsons' style guides, created in the 1990s, contain rules for animators to maintain consistency in character design.
  • The rules for drawing facial expressions include not drawing characters cross-eyed, completing eyelid circles, or making smiles pointy.
  • Specific rules for eye design include maintaining a proper pupil-to-eye ratio and avoiding cross-eyed characters.
  • Hair design rules prohibit incidental characters from having head-colored hair, Homer beard lines, or out-Simpsoning the Simpsons.
  • The show's early freeze-frame Easter Eggs included hidden jokes like the Duff sign on the bus in the opening credits.
  • Bart's teeth must follow specific guidelines, including having at least three lines in a smile and avoiding sharp teeth unless directed for comedic effect.

12:31

Simpsons Animation: Guidelines and Techniques

  • The Simpsons emphasize that pupils should not be hidden by the nose, even if the character has a large nose.
  • Detailed rules exist for how characters should look when interacting, with a focus on lip-syncing and dialogue.
  • Clothing guidelines are character-specific, with some characters wearing open jackets with ties and dress pants.
  • Characters like Smithers, Carl, and Kirk wear outfits with ruffles around the neck, with specific examples of matching outfits.
  • The anatomy of Simpsons characters follows human anatomy principles, with specific features like elbows, wrists, and shoulders.
  • Characters in the Simpsons universe are constructed using simple circles for shapes and scale, with specific measurements like Ned being 5 1/2 head balls high.
  • The animation process involves hand-painting frames, with approximately 130 frames of animation for the Bus Stop Bunch.
  • The animation includes principles like squash and stretch, exaggeration, anticipation, and follow-through, with tips on successful scene composition.
  • The run cycle animation is well-executed, with a focus on timing details for crowd animations like laughing and clapping.
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