Guest Dan Povenmire, writer, director, cartoonist, and voice artist, talks about creating Phineas and Ferb, recognition in the entertainment industry, compensation for their work, overcoming writer's block, and their journey in animation.
Persistence and belief in one's vision are crucial in overcoming rejections and setbacks.
The visual aspects and physical humor play a vital role in the storytelling of Phineas and Ferb.
Addressing executive notes collaboratively while staying true to the show's vision is a valuable skill.
Deep dives
Creating Phineas and Ferb
The podcast episode features the co-creator of the Disney show Phineas and Ferb, Dan Povenmire, discussing the success and behind-the-scenes aspects of the show. Povenmire shares his journey as a college dropout and how he learned to write comedy through a comic strip. He talks about his entry into the animation industry, including working on shows like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Rocco's Modern Life. The episode dives into Povenmire's process of pitching and selling Phineas and Ferb, including the use of an engaging PowerPoint presentation and a homemade animatic. It also touches on the importance of visual gags and storytelling in the show's unique style.
The Role of Visual Artists in Writing
The podcast highlights the collaborative nature of writing in Phineas and Ferb. Povenmire explains how the visual aspects and physical humor play a crucial role in the storytelling. He describes the process of finding artists who can also write, as they bring a unique perspective and contribute to the visual narrative of the show. Povenmire offers insights into character development, including the importance of animating Ferb's expressions and actions to convey emotions and communicate without dialogue. He emphasizes the balance between writing dialogue and allowing the visuals to drive the humor and plot forward.
Running a Successful Show
The podcast delves into Povenmire's experience running a show and handling executive notes. He shares his approach to addressing and incorporating feedback from executives, highlighting the importance of collaborative decision-making and making them feel involved. Povenmire's ability to handle executive notes, while also staying true to his vision for the show, is shown as a valuable skill. He also reflects on the impact of his unique pitching style, which involved presenting a dynamic animatic where he pitched the storylines and voiced all the characters. This approach gave a clear and exciting vision of the show to executives and potential collaborators.
Persistence in Pitching Phineas and Ferb
The podcast episode discusses the persistence and challenges faced by the creators in pitching the animated series Phineas and Ferb. Despite initially receiving feedback that the concept was too complicated and the animation would be too difficult, the creators persevered for over a decade, continuously pitching the show to various networks and studios. The idea eventually gained traction and was picked up by Disney Channel. The podcast highlights the importance of persistence and believing in one's vision, even in the face of rejections and setbacks.
The Creation of Milo Murphy's Law
The podcast also touches on the creation of the show Milo Murphy's Law, a series developed by one of the creators of Phineas and Ferb. The idea for the show came about when the creator introduced a character he had previously designed, Milo, who embodied an indefatigably optimistic personality. The podcast reveals how the creators quickly developed the concept for the show during a spontaneous brainstorming session. Although the pitch process for Milo Murphy's Law was initially challenging, the creators ultimately succeeded in pitching the show to Disney Channel, leading to its production.
Writer, director, cartoonist, and voice artist Dan Povenmire talks about his adventures in Hollywood creating the enormously successful Phineas and Ferb for Disney.
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