From: klein@kira.egr.msu.edu (Jeffrey Klein)
Subject: Re: Your Mission (should you choose to accept it)
Organization: Michigan State University College of Stunt Piloting
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 92 02:00:42 GMT

In article <1992Apr9.235538.9829@wam.umd.edu> vgriscep@wam.umd.edu (VGR (Craig Pell)) writes:
>In article <ku7807INNlv7@girtab.usc.edu> rjung@girtab.usc.edu (Robert A. Jung) writes:
>>>>  (In any event, the tags are still clearly identifiable as either from TMS
>>>>or from Wang Film. In fact, I believe the only Wang Film tags are Elmyra,
>>>>Byron Basset, Plucky, and Fifi)
>>>
>>  As far as I know, all of the animation done for the first 65 episodes were
>>done by either Tokyo, Wang, Kennedy, Akom, Encore, Fil, or whoever else is
>>listed in the credits of one or more episodes. All of the tags that were ever
>>shown (with the exception of the "Baby Plucky" tag from HENNY YOUNGMAN DAY)
>>were aired in the first season, so we can assume (at least I am, anyway) that
>>those studios also did the tags.
>>
>>  Using that as a basis, we can look at the styles of the tags and match them
>>to the studios. The Tokyo-animated tags are clearly recognized as such, and
>>the others look clearly like Wang Film stuff to me.
>>
>>  Since this is all of the information we have on hand, I still stand by my
>>belief that the end-tags were animated by Tokyo or Wang Film, and that the
>>only Startoons-animated TTA material was HENNY YOUNGMAN DAY. If you have some
>>facts to support otherwise, I'm sure we'd all be interested in hearing it.
>>
>>  If not, I'll just have to conclude that -- while Startoons' art style may
>>_look_ similar to Wang's and/or Kennedy's -- their only actual work for TTA
>>has been for HYD.
>>
>>                                                --R.J.
>
>My first followup doesn't seem to have gotten through, so I'll say it
>again, vehemently:  Kennedy subcontracts other animation studios!
>
>Startoons *has*, unquestionably, done some bits of TTA in the first season.
>They are *not* a "new" studio.  I thought everyone knew this the first time
>"Henny" was shown.
>    No, I have no proof.  But since I also have no flames, please hear me
>out....
>    I don't want to sound didactic here, but I have a pretty decent eye.
>Anyone who can spot the difference between Wang and TMS animation ought
>to be able to spot Startoons.  Startoons uses very sharp lines, and smooth
>yet well-contained movements.  Another telltale characteristic is the
>eyes;  on females the lashes are curved and apprear to be heavy black brush
>strokes (two lashes, usually).  Often, for reasons I still haven't deciphered,
>the eyes bear a distinct resemblance to Chuck-Jones-drawn eyes (if you don't
>know what I mean by that, watch the very start of "Gremlins 2," with Bugs
>Bunny reclining on the WB shield).  
>    Babs is the easiest mark of Startoons.  Her tail is always pointed like
>Buster's.  She frequently stands on her tiptoes, legs straight, skirt never
>"drifting up" (a la the TMS "conservatism" mentioned some time ago).
>    As for the tags ... I know this will get a hellish amount of debate,
>but I am practically certain that *all* the tags are Startoons --- *except
>those with Buster and/or Babs* (oh, and Byron).  All Buster/Babs tags appear
>to be Wang, who can improve themselves when they need to.
>Evidence:
>    Plucky:"Parting...sorrow"   - Startoons always gives Plucky a round head
>                                  and weird eyelid/brow movements
>    Elmyra:"Let the show begin" - watch the eyes!
>    Fifi:"Au revoir..."         - watch the eyes (and tail movements)!
>    Furrball:"ROAR ...meow"     - telltale smooth animation (hard to describe)
>    Dizzy:"Show over!"          - watch his movements
>    Gogo:"It's been surreal!"   - smooth animation;  all I can say is it
>                                  doesn't look like the same animation as
>                                  the bunnies' tags
>
Thanks, VGR!  I'm *not* insane after all! :)

Didn't someone whose sister-in-law works for StarToons post here a few
months back?  It would be nice to get some solid info.

But I do disagree with you a bit - 

"Aloha" and "It's been surreal" look very similar, and very Tokyo -
watch the necks stretch.

Byron looks like StarToons rather than Wang - the three-dimensionality
and weight of this piece just don't look like Wang, nor the sniffing
motion.

Oh yeah, and Buster And Babs Go Hawaiian is an EXCELLENT show. >:^)

-- 
Jeff Klein                  | "One of you is a Charlie Brown mutant,
                            |  and the other has a hand growing out  
klein@kira.egr.msu.edu      |  of his(?) head!" - Blue Bunny