The process of making an episode takes about nine months.. It takes another two or three months before the episode is returned to the Hollywood studio.. There, storyboard artists create
Trang 1With millions of fans around the world, the Simpsons are
everyone’s favourite cartoon family But it is not easy
making the five yellow characters into a TV series The
process of making an episode takes about nine months
Producers Mike Scully says : “It’s like having a baby Only it’s
a cartoon baby !”
COLOUR AND ANIMATION
Next, the colour department adds colour to the basic
animation Traditionally, they use a palette of just 200
colours to maintain the authentic Simpson look Then the
animation is sent to South Korea, where it is painted in
high-quality ink, and re-animated It takes another two or three
months before the episode is returned to the Hollywood
studio
STORYBOARD
When all the dialogue has been recorded, it is sent to animation studios in Hollywood There, storyboard artists create simple sketches of the episode, and send them back
to the writers and producers for approval The animators take the storyboards and photograph them Then they are assembled into a basic video on computers, and mixed with the voice recordings This takes about three months
SCRIPT READING
When the script is finished, it is given a « read-through » by the
voice artists This usually takes place between July and
November
The script read-through is very funny, and sometimes family,
friends and celebrities are invited to watch too Writers,
producers and cartoon creator Matt Groening can see from their
reactions if an episode will be a hit !
After the script read-through, changes are made The episode is
recorded on a Monday in a recording studio, where the voice
artists sit or stand in front of their microphones They can get
very animated - just like their characters They also add a lot of
humour to the script by improvising
SCRIPT WRITING
First, a team of about 15 writers meet to decide on storylines They exchange ideas for jokes and gags, and then one or two of them write the episode After this, the team
of writers reads the script, and makes suggestions to make it funnier This process takes about three months
SOUND AND MUSIC
When the studio receives the episode, finishing touches are made Sound-effects are added, and original music is added
by composer Alf Clausen An orchestra of 35 musicians performs the music which adds drama and emotion It is then mixed in a special sound studio
FINISHED EPISODE
Finally, the episode is ready to be watched by the writers and producers This is the first time they have seen it finished, and they often watch it the night before it is broadcast So they are all very nervous to see the finished product ! But everyone who works on The Simpsons describes it is as “the best job in show business.”
Trang 2DID YOU UNDERSTAND ? Circle the right answer !
On what day is an episode of the Simpson recorded ? a) on Monday b) on Tuesday c) on Wednesday
In what country is The Simpsons painted in high-quality ink ?
How long does it take to make an episode ? a) six weeks b) nine months c) eleven months
How many musicians perform the music for a Simpsons episode ?
QUESTIONS ON THE SIMPSONS !
Find the question corresponding to the answer !
1) _ ? Yes, Bart likes skateboarding
2) _ ? Yes Homer can drive
3) _ ? Lisa is 8 years old
4) _ ? Bart’s friend is Millhouse
5) _ ? The Simpson’s cat is called Snowball
FILL IN THE BLANKS USING « FOR » OR « SINCE »
1) The Simpsons has been running 17 December 1989 2) The press has been talking about The Simpsons Movie three years
3) Trailers for The Simpsons Movie have been in cinemas 2006
4) Writers have been working on The Simpsons Movie a long time
5) Rumours of a Simpsons movie have been circulating early in the series
“EACH OTHER” OR “THEMSELVES” ? Make the right choice !
1) They often write to _
2) The Simpson like _
3) They hurt _ while they were playing football
4) They worry about _
5) Marge and Homer have known _ for a long time
6) These computers can reprogramme _
7) Bart and Lisa enjoyed _ at the basketball match
FIND THE MISSING PREPOSITION !! Use ON, FOR, IN or AT.
« Marge, can we go bowling _ the weekend ? »
« Patty and Selma ? Oh great
How long are they staying ?
« Woo-hoo ! »
« Well I’m sorry, you won’t
be able to go But we can go bowling together _ a week if you like
« No Homer ! My sisters are coming over _ Saturday
« A week ? But I wanted to go
to Moe’s _ Sunday !
« They’re staying _ a week
MAKING THE SIMPSONS…
Turn the sentences into the passive voice.
1) Animators animate a Simpson episode
2) Actors record a Simpson episode
3) Experts assemble the animation
4) Sound engineer add sound-effects
Trang 3
1 WHO SAYS WHAT ?
THE SIMPSONS ANAGRAMS Decipher the words and find the mystery word !
1) Marge is a SUPREUMM :
2) Maggie is the BYBA of the Simpson family :
3) The Simpsons TV show often has UGSET TARSS :
4) Bart watches a lot of ETLEVISINIO :
5) The Simpson often AGERU :
6) The Simpsons are politically ROCRIENCT :
7) In 2007, there was a Simpsons VIMOE :
8) Homer loves to drink REEB :
9) Lisa is a GNEUIS :
10) Bart is the DRUEAHCVEEIR of the family :
11) RNOADLO was a guest star on The Simpsons :
12) The Simpsons live in GRIPENSLIFD : The Simpsons is an American comedy created by
KRUSTY HOMER
BART
MR BURNS
DR NICK
1/ Excellent ! 4/ Hi Everybody ! 2/ D’oh ! 5/ Hey hey ! 3/ Eat my shorts ! 6/ Okily Dokily
1
6
4
5 3
2
FLANDERS