BEHIND THE STORY...
At Film Roman, we were referred to Lorne Michaels, best known as the creator of Saturday Night Live. I thought Saturday Night Live might like to add some animation to their segments. Then it occurred that Michaels might buy the idea of doing one episode of the series completely animated. Michaels said to send him some specifics. So I drafted a letter in 1988.
We got a brief response from Michaels. He felt that the idea had merit, but wondered if his audience would accept “a cartoon”. No further communication ever resulted. However, I did notice that after THE SIMPSONS debuted, Saturday Night Live began airing animated segments.
And now the letter...
Dear Mr. Michaels:
We wish to propose a historical special edition of Saturday Night Live - An edition in which animation takes center stage through a satire of the world and history of cartoons and television tributes.
We offer THE FUNTAZMIL WORLD OF GOODE AND CARTONI.
This special production would focus on a mythical pair of cartoon creators who began in the days of silent films and moved through sound, television, amusement parks, merchandising and home video. It would contain the standard "tribute" featuresº talks with fellow workers, comments from "big names" in the film industry, speeches by film critics and historians, suggestions and hopes from media watchdogs and gurus. Perhaps even a telegram from the President.
The centerpiece of this unique episode will be the abundant supply of film clips showcasing the team's unique career. There will be everything from "film firsts" to "bloopers" to "lost episodes." Violence, moralities, gooney characters, slapstick, loud music, lush artwork, role models, limited animation and all the rest of the elements that make animation such a fond part of childhood... whenever it may have been.
We already have a number of ideas on how this project could be developed and written, but there are many production options ranging from our handling the entire show (budgeted at around $325,000 per half hour, to Film Roman creating only the animation while working with your staff in the writing of material to work with the animation. Casting could come from all areas of the industry, or just from the wide range of multiple personalities available from the Saturday Night Live regulars.
Enclosed are some items regarding the special along with some historical information on the Film Roman studio and its head, Phil Roman. If you have any questions or comments on this project, please call either of us. We look forward to hearing from you.
text, image and format © John Cawley
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