Origins
[edit] Early inspirations
As a child, co-creator Dan Povenmire lived in Mobile, Alabama. There, his mom always told him to never waste a day in the summer, and to do exciting things everyday. He would do several activities, such as digging a hole and more memorably, making home movies. Povenmire says, "My mom let me drape black material all the way across one end of our living room to use as a space field. I would hang little models of spaceships for these little movies I made with a Super 8 camera." Dan states that this is the inspiration for Phineas and Ferb.[5][7][8]
[edit] Conception
Povenmire grew up and began to delve into the animation business.[9] While working as a layout artist on The Simpsons during the mid-nineties, he sat across the eventual co-creator, Jeff Marsh. The two of them bonded over mutual tastes in humor and music, becoming fast friends. The two continued to work together, paired as a writing team on the Nickelodeon series Rocko's Modern Life. There they learned more of the animation business.[3]
While writing for the series, the two began to conceive the idea for their own series.[3] They thought, "Well, this show's going to end eventually, let's create something that we can work on together, where[...] we can be in charge."[4] Whilst eating dinner at a Wild Thyme restaurant in South Pasadena, California, Povenmire drew a quick sketch of a "triangle kid" on the lied out butcher paper.[10] He tore it out and called Marsh that night, explaining "Hey, I think we have our show."[11]
The triangle doodle led to a rapid development of characters and designs.[10] Povenmire named the sketch "Phineas" based on his appearance, while naming "Ferb" after a good friend who they state "owns more tools than anyone in the world."[12] The two then decided to put shapes in the designs of characters in homage to the famous Looney Tunes animator/director Tex Avery. They as well decided to add geometric shapes to the background as well to piece everything all together. Povenmire notes on this decision, stating "There's a little bit of Tex Avery in there — he had that very graphic style [in his later cartoons]."[10]
[edit] Pitching and pickup
Even though they still held strong to the show, Povenmire and Marsh began to drift apart. Marsh moved to London and worked on shows there like Postman Pat and Bounty Hamster. Povenmire began working on the prime time FOX show Family Guy,[3] though he always carried around a portfolio for the show,[11] shopping around the series to networks like Cartoon Network and Fox Kids, though they didn't believe the complexity of the show could work.[3]
Even though Povenmire was shot down ever time, he stayed persistent, pitching it to Nickelodeon, though even though they sent it higher and higher up, it was always too complicated for them to pass it.[3] After 16 years, however, Povenmire landed a pitch with Disney. They didn't automatically accept, telling him that they'd keep the packet. Povenmire considered those negotiations over, as that usually "means they throw it in the trash later." On the contrary, however, they accepted it.[9] Apparently, as said by Povenmire, "Disney was the first to say, 'Let's see if you can do it in 11 minutes.' We did it in the pilot and they said, 'Let's see if you can do it for 26 episodes.'"[5]
Povenmire's work on Family Guy, an adult show known for its raunchy and vulgar black comedy, did not throw off Disney as Povenmire had assumed. Disney Channel's Senior VP of Original Series Adam Bonne was apparently a fan of the series. Therefore, Povenmire's connections to the series made Bonne actually interested in hearing the pitch and further made him want to pick the show up.[5]
With the show now accepted by the channel, Povenmire and Marsh now only needed to get the overseas executives to pick it up. Unlike non-animated series, they decided to the pitch it not with a script, but with a recorded reel of storyboards. Povenmire voiced over it with his dialogue and edited it with sound effects and such. They sent it to the executives and they excepted it.[7]
[edit] Production
[edit] Artistic and writing style
Recurring Writers:
- Martin Olson (22 episodes, Season 1)[13]
- Bobby Gaylor (19 episodes, Season 1)[13]
- Dan Povenmire (11 episodes, Season 1)[13]
- Jeff "Swampy" Marsh (10 episodes, Season 1)[13]
- Jon Colton Barry (8 episodes, Seasons 1, 2)[13][14]
- Kim Roberson (4 episodes, Seasons 1, 2)[13][14]
The series adopts artistic features from Tex Avery. The series includes geometric shapes in the characters and objects that appear in each episode. Triangles are featured as an easter egg in the background of every episode, sometimes in the trees and sometimes in the buildings.[10] The character Ferb shares a homage to Bill the Cat, as one eye is always larger then the other.[15] The series is produced in wide screen format that the channel changes to a full screen aspect for all non-HDTV televisions. On iTunes it is available in the original widescreen format.[16]
As well as this, bright colors are included in the show. Marsh elaborates on this, stating, "The idea at the end of the day was candy. One of the things that I think works so well is that the characters are so bright and candy-colored and our backgrounds are a much more realistic depiction of the world: the soft green of the grass, the natural woods for the fence. In order for all of the stuff that they do to work, their world needs to be grounded in reality." Each character was designed to be very simple, that kids "would easily be able to draw [them] themselves." They were as well meant to be recognizable from a distant, a technique the creators describe as being based on Matt Groening's goal to make characters recognizable by silhouette.[17]
The series uses a type of writing system in which each episode is storyboard at the same time as it is scripted. Povenmire notes that doing this can be incredibly difficult to write for ionic characters like Ferb and Perry, as they "basically disappear."[4] The writers include running gags in every episode, which build the basic foundation of the show and its plot. Starting in Season 2, the creators allowed the writers a "good deal of freedom to try new things."[18] This caused some mixed reviews for the season's preview episode, Tip of the Day.[19] During Season 1, co-creator Dan Povenmire along with Zac Moncrief took on the responsibility of directing almost every episode.[13] However, during Season 2, several different directors took on the position in stead, though Moncrief and Povenmire still directed a select number of them thus far.[14]
[edit] Cast
The co-creators both decided that they wanted "kids doing kid's voices whenever possible."[20] As of 2009, the main characters are voiced by Vincent Martella and Thomas Sangster.[21] Sangster was one of many British actors cast, due to Marsh's seven years in the United Kingdom, making him keen on the usage of people from the country.[22] The rest of the cast members include Ashley Tisdale as the sister, Candace, Dee Bradley Baker as the secret agent platypus, Perry, and Caroline Rhea as the mother, Linda.[21] The co-creators as well voice two characters, Dr. Doofenshmirtz and Major Monogram.[22]
The show's casting organization is responsible for the casting of most of the voice actors and actresses. They brought demographics-hits like Vincent Martella and Mitchel Musso for roles in major characters (Phineas and Jeremy in example's sake). However, on the line of guest stars, co-creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh take that role. They cast people that they "really want to work with," and are generally garnered with acceptance. For others, they think of people that would be interesting if they appeared.[12]
Among the guest stars have been famous pop-cultural figures such as Heavyweight Boxing champion Evander Holyfield and multi-film star Cloris Leachman. Several The Rocky Horror Picture Show cast members have as well been chosen as guest stars, specifically Richard O'Brien, Tim Curry, and Barry Bostwick.[12] Interestingly, Richard O'Brien is more of a regular then a guest star, as he plays Lawrence Fletcher, the step-dad, who's appeared in a vast majority of episodes.[23] Malcom McDowell, a popular actor, voices a recurring character named Grandpa Reginald, his work being described by Marsh as "just brilliant."[22]
[edit] Characters
The series main characters live in a blended family, based on Marsh's childhood growing up in such an environment. Povenmire further expands on this, denoting that "almost half the kids watching are experiencing and it is under-represented in kids TV." This was also so Phineas and Ferb could be of the same age but not be twins.[24] The boys's pet was made as a platypus due to it's odd appearance and lack of usage in the media.[11]
Marsh states that the interesting thing about characters is that they are "cool, edgy and clever without [...] being mean-spirited." The two never wanted Phineas and Ferb to do anything based on animosity, but only for the fun of it; they never wanted them to purposely cause Candace trouble or get away with their activities without their mother's acknowledgment. The show's animation director, Rob Hughes, has similarly stated that "all the other shows every character is either stupid or a jerk, but there are no stupid characters or jerks in this one." [5]
Povenmire and Marsh designed each character to include geometric shapes in reminiscence of Tex Avery and his cartoons.[10] Povenmire named Phineas after first drawing him, looking at him and saying "Okay, this guy is named Phineas," while Ferb was named after a good friend of both of the creators, who, unlike the character he is named after, is "anything but quiet."[12]
[edit] Plot and humor
Stepbrothers Phineas Flynn and Ferb Fletcher (Vincent Martella and Thomas Sangster respectively) live in the town of Danville. The city's state, as stated by Dan Povenmire, "is wherever it needs to be for any episode[...] like 'Springfield' [from The Simpsons]."[16] The two stepbrothers are determined to make their summer the best it can be and beat boredom.[3] To do so, they built outrageous and somewhat impossible inventions and other such items. Their sister, Candace (Ashley Tisdale), is obsessed with "busting" them, immediately calling their mom to inform her of the boys activities. Unfortunately for Candace evidence of the boy’s activities disappears before their mom can see. Usually the disappearance of the evidence is connected to the inventions and schemes of Dr. Doofenshmirtz going haywire. Another key element of the show is the boy's pet platypus named Perry, who is a secret agent for the O.W.C.A ("Organization Without a Cool Acronym").[25] The point of this plot was to include action in the series.[5]
The series relies heavily on running gags. In each episode, Phineas exclaims "I know what we're gonna do today," character Isabella introduces herself with "Whatcha doin'?" and almost always Ferb will speak, even though he normally does not say more than 10 words an episode. Dr. Doofenshmirtz, as well, will always trap Perry the Platypus in some way.[26] Along with this, cultural references are key to several moments, mostly in the episode title, like most animated television series. As heavily remembered for working on Family Guy, Dan Povenmire will include cut-aways in every episode he writes.[27][28] Like fellow cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants, live-action shots are included alongside the animation several times, most recently in the episode "The Chronicles of Meap." Coincidentally, both creators worked on SpongeBob,[29][30] and likely asked for such elements.
The series includes several elements "for the adults."[4] As previously mentioned, pop-cultural references are vigorously worked into each episode, and double-entendres are included, however rarely.[31] Dan Povenmire has stated that the show is not at all raunchy like Family Guy, but however uses humorous blank stares and wording.[5] Other common elements include touching-to-life elements used by the character Dr. Doofenshmirtz. Usually, he will point out events happening in his life (such as gaining a "splitting headache"[32]) that are common in an average American-adult. This is an element Povenmire is proud to include in his show.[4]
[edit] Music
|
"Every episode since [Flop Starz] has a song in it. It's not always the characters singing onscreen -- they don't break into song just to advance the plot. The music doesn't come out of nowhere, sometimes it's just a montage over action. We've done every genre known to man: ABBA, Broadway show tunes, 16th-century madrigals[...]"
—Dan Povenmire on the songs.[5] |
While writing for Rocko's Modern Life, Povenmire and Marsh were always based around a system that included "a song or a musical number, plus a big action/chase scene." Therefore, they wanted to include songs in the show. While pitching to Disney, they included this, having them hear Perry's signature "secret agent theme" and the song from the episode "Flop Starz," and they loved them. They even asked them to write one for each episode, which the creators gladly complied to.[5]
Each song ranges in variety, from hard metal[33] to folk.[34] Povenmire and Marsh will, while each episode is made, come together and write the song, or songs, for that episode in their office. Each session is relatively short, as the two set up the concept, begin the beats and lyrical numbers, and then finally the lyrics themselves. This takes approximately twenty minutes to do.[6]
The title sequence music is performed by American band Bowling for Soup, which was nominated for an Emmy-award in 2008.[1] Originally, the song was slower and more like a "classic Disney song." The network, however, wanted to appeal to the generation, so the song was made into a rock/alternative song.[7]
[edit] Critical reception
A preview episode of the show aired after the premiere of High School Musical 2 was seen by 10.8 million viewers. [35] Since then, fans have grown, and dozens of websites have sprung up on the internet dedicated to the show.[36] On TV.com, it is currently rated 8.5.[37] The show also has a user rating 9.1 on IMDb.[38] Also on TV.com, the series ranks 1,737 out of the 18,142 shows, and includes 707 users who follow the show on record. There, some reviews have turned out negative, describing the series as "repetitive."[37] Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media.com raves that the show included clever and witty humor and a high-paced plot and gives it three out of five stars.[39]
The New York Times commented favorably, describing the show as "Family Guy with an espionage subplot and a big dose of magical realism." It reports its pop-cultural references as being everywhere throughout the show, "but with such skill that it seems smart, not cheap."[40] Variety notes that the show can appeal to all ages, with its "sense of wit and irreverence."[41] In 2008, Paste Magazine listed the theme song as number nine in it's 12 Best TV Theme Songs from Current Shows.[42]
[edit] Ratings
When first aired as a preview on August 17, 2007, the first episode, "Rollercoaster," garnered a total of 10.8 million viewers.[35] When it officially debuted in February the next year, it near immediately became cable's number one watched animated series premiere by "tweens". Throughout the first quarter duration of that year, it peaked as the top-rated animated series for ages 6-10 and 9-14. It as well became the number three animated series for all of cable television for viewers of 6-10.[21] Disney Channel's airing of episodes "Perry Lays an Egg/Gaming the System" rolled in the most amount of views of 6-11 and 9-14 of any channel in that time slot that night. This achievement lead to the series becoming the number one animated telecast for the demographics of the entire week[43]. On June 7, 2009, it was announced that the show had become the number one primetime animated television show for the demographics 6-10 and 9-14.[11]
[edit] Marketing and merchandise
Disney has licensed a number of products from the show. Plush toys of characters Perry, Ferb, and Phineas are in stores,[44] and Subway released miniature toys in their kids meals.[45] Novelizations have been released on several episodes, all written by different authors.[46] Comic books are being produced, supervised by the writers.[4]
Two season 1 DVDs, entitled The Fast and the Phineas and The Daze of Summer, have been released; both included never-seen-in-America episodes.[47] Fans, however, are unfavored of the release of non-Season box sets, and generally are upset with the volumes instead.[48] Disney has released several T-shirts for the show, including even setting up a "Make your own T-shirt" program on the Disney website.[49]
A Nintendo DS game was released in 2008, simply entitled "Phineas and Ferb." The creators had no part in the making of it; in fact, Dan Povenmire didn't know most anything about the game until he was given it himself.[4] In the game, Phineas and Ferb decide to build a roller coaster in order to alleviate boredom over the summer. In the game, the player plays as Phineas, Ferb, and occasionally as Agent P. Phineas scavenges for spare parts for the roller coaster while Ferb is used to fix various objects around town that are used to gain access to new areas. As well, Ferb is used to construct new parts and build the roller coaster and the corresponding vehicle. Each activity is completed with a short mini-game, such as carefully tracing over a line to weld or tapping the screen to hammer nails.[50]
Povenmire and Marsh have announced that there is a Wii game currently in development based off of the series.[4]
