Live Action About Animation: Good Idea?

[GWOtaku]

So I was browsing the "Hearing What I Said" comments on youtube, and one of the commenters had a great idea--yeah, I know, I was surprised too.

Suppose Cartoon Network made a "CN Real" show that went behind the scenes and gave people a glimpse at how various cartoons got made.

This would be of possible interest for both kids and animation fans, and it could plug some of Cartoon Network's original programming. It could start with a lot of focus on in-house stuff and then possibly expand depending on what kind of deals they can work out. They could talk to a lot of different people involved, from the big shots to your rank and file animator.

The kid appeal would be easy enough to do. Just have some kids running around finding out things. "Kids just like you, finding out what you want to know."

To me, something like that would be the best possible use of live action on Cartoon Network. What do you think?

[Silverstar]

Some would resist it, but I think that would be a good idea. If CN really must have live-action, it should at least focus on the animation industry.

[Ian Hatfield]

That would actually be an awesome idea.

[Chazooma]

I would definitely watch. I think it's a pretty cool idea.

It would be nice to see how they think up ideas for shows,
and the people behind it all.
Stuff like concept art and seeing the voice actors acting is always interesting.
Maybe those who don't know the effort it takes into making a show,
will gain respect for how much work goes into it.

[Rho]

Yes.

It would be FAR better than psycho kids freaking out over a chair, kids almost dying, kids on a rollercoaster who aren't aware of the oceans that surround their country, or a show pretty much just about breaking stuff.

[The Cartoon]

Yes.

It would be FAR better than psycho kids freaking out over a chair, kids almost dying, kids on a rollercoaster who aren't aware of the oceans that surround their country, or a show pretty much just about breaking stuff.
I agree with everything in that statement.

I love the Walt Disney Treasure set, Behind the Scenes at Walt Disney Studios and I think I'd love this too. It sounds like a fantastic idea to me.

[Sketch]

Shows about making cartoons or even something akin to Man vs Cartoon would be a much better use of CN's time than reality shows that have nothing to do with cartoons.

I'm all for those, but that's not the kinds of shows CN expect will bring them viewers and honestly... I don't think those shows would do much to draw new viewers just maybe keep some old ones.

[Candice Suzana]

Yes.

It would be FAR better than psycho kids freaking out over a chair, kids almost dying, kids on a rollercoaster who aren't aware of the oceans that surround their country, or a show pretty much just about breaking stuff.

Actually, in my opinion, the way you put it, it doesn't sound more interesting.

A CNReal show about animation production would be interesting to watch. It could go into the recording studio while voice actors are recording, they could view how story boards are created, etc. It could be used as a transition from the animated part of Cartoon Network to CNReal as well.

[Dr.Pepper]

I always thought that if CN had to have live-action, they should have something that at least relates to cartoons.

[EJLD4Ever]

A documentary on how their shows are made is nice, they may even want to send the documentary crew to Korea to see how the show is animated---I always wanted to see what it is like in those Korean studios. It all depends on whether CN has the budget to do so.

[nakak]

I'm all for the idea, actually. I always love seeing those behind the scene looks at the making of cartoons.

A documentary on how their shows are made is nice, they may even want to send the documentary crew to Korea to see how the show is animated---I always wanted to see what it is like in those Korean studios. It all depends on whether CN has the budget to do so.
Well the upcoming "Flapjack" DVD (http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Marvelous-Misadventures-Flapjack-Volume-1/12017)will have a behind the scene featurettes as bonuses. One of them is titled "Adventures in Animating".

[Jave]

You mean like Toonheads but only the informational parts? I'm all for that.

[limel]

A documentary on how their shows are made is nice, they may even want to send the documentary crew to Korea to see how the show is animated---I always wanted to see what it is like in those Korean studios. It all depends on whether CN has the budget to do so.
There's a pretty extensive featurette on this on the Avatar season 1 DVD, if you're interested :)

And to the question in the title: YES. Live-action is okay, but only if it has to do with cartoons, and doesn't try to take over the network. ;) To be completely honest, I wouldn't have minded Out of Jimmy's Head, if it focused more on the cartoons, and was... well, y'know, good. That show had some pretty bad writing and the acting prevented me from watching much of it.

A behind-the-scenes show seems like it would be popular... After all, people do love all those DVD special features, even the kids (I remember being amazed with this one look into the Nick studio on a Spongebob DVD, and I was only... 7, maybe 8 years old).

[SuperMegaHyper]

I guess, Tru already has a show like that idea, about a group of NM Tech students testing the realism of the contraptions used in Looney Tunes.(particullary Wille Coyote)

[Master Toon]

I only see two problems with that idea:

1. Wouldn't it be hard to hold kids' attention with stuff like that? When I was a kid I found stuff like that to be boring.

2. How long would a show like that last? Even if each cartoon's story is different from the last, it's almost the same thing over and over again.

[chdr]

I wouldn't mind seeing a "True Hollywood Stories" type of show about animation myself.

[Max Steel]

I saw that comment too yesterday I think it would be great I always wanted to know how it works

[Light Lucario]

I only see two problems with that idea:

1. Wouldn't it be hard to hold kids' attention with stuff like that? When I was a kid I found stuff like that to be boring.

2. How long would a show like that last? Even if each cartoon's story is different from the last, it's almost the same thing over and over again.

Even though I think this idea is pretty cool, I agree that its main problem is how it could be a challenge to keep a lot of kids' attention with it. However, if it was more like a True Hollywood Stories kind of deal with describing a show's history and getting the animators and voice casts for interviews, as chdr mentioned, then I think that they could pull something like that off and possibly be able to grab kids' attention for it.

[Deadman]

that would be the only instance of live action on the network that i may watch.

[Master Toon]

Even though I think this idea is pretty cool, I agree that its main problem is how it could be a challenge to keep a lot of kids' attention with it. However, if it was more like a True Hollywood Stories kind of deal with describing a show's history and getting the animators and voice casts for interviews, as chdr mentioned, then I think that they could pull something like that off and possibly be able to grab kids' attention for it.

That's true. I would definitely tune into something like that especially if they don't omit any juicy details like voice actors having arguments or how the network tried so hard to destroy the cartoon but the fans kept tuning in.

[Rho]

This would be a great idea. It'd be interesting to see how they make episodes of shows like TDI.

The fan-made documentary about Code Lyoko, titled "Lyoko Decoded", where voice actors are interviewed and whatnot, could fit in nicely on a show like that. It'd just need to be edited, but I don't see it happening.

[DeanBurrito25]

A live-action show about the making of cartoons?
I WOULD WATCH THAT. :proud:

[Jeff Harris]

I'd actually like that. Live-action programs ABOUT the creative process of animation. Peering on the other side of the screen at the folks who make the good stuff. That would work.

You know, I'd actually like to see them broadcast Man Vs. Cartoon as well. If you haven't seen it (and blame truTV for airing it in the worst slot possible [Saturdays at 10 PM E/P]), it's techies and engineers recreating Wile E. Coyote's elaborate traps to catch the Road Runner and actually making them work. One episode, they dropped an anvil from a hot-air balloon.

Screwy, ain't it?

Also, that Spongebob documentary on VH1 the other night had me thinking . . . why doesn't Cartoon Network air similar shows for the characters that grace the network, past and present? Also, while watching VH1, their latest popnost show, The Great Debate showcased The Flintstones vs. The Jetsons, Thundercats vs. Masters of the Universe, and Snoopy vs. Garfield, all with humor and respect towards those animated creations. Get a bunch of celebrities to talk about cartoons they grew up with as well as the ones currently on the air, and you've got a hit just waiting to happen.

It's live-action, and yet, it doesn't deviate from Cartoon Network's core mission. Could be fun.

[Mesousa]

This would be a great idea. It'd be interesting to see how they make episodes of shows like TDI.

Actually, the Total Drama series is a CN "pick-up", not creation.

In fact, it'd be tricky to go behind the scenes on all the Fresh TV-made shows.

[Eddy]

I'd support that. It certainly would have more of a place on Cartoon Network than a Ghost Hunters rip-off and kids riding rollercoasters.

[John Pannozzi]

Let's not forget the excellent documentary included on the PowerPuff Girls 10th anniversary DVD Collection.