For Hanna-Barbera.
Our great friend Rita Street of Radar Cartoons founded Women in Animation when she was the publisher/editor of Animation Magazine and I was at Hanna-Barbera Cartoons. In fact, it was so important to me that our industry support the influx of new talent from all quarters, I think HB became one of the earliest supporters of the new organization.
So I was more than thrilled when Rita asked Frederator Studios to support WIA’s look back at the Hanna-Barbera studio tomorrow night. She also asked for a few words about the studio from me:
“From 1992 until 1997, I was honored to have every baby boomer’s dream job as the final president of Hanna-Barbera Cartoons. Every day I drove onto the lot on Cahuenga Boulevard and walked through the halls I was happily overwhelmed by the sense of history in the walls. And each and every person in the studio felt the same way, whether they’d been around four weeks or four decades. As I travel around the world, my job at H&B elicits more recogition and smiles than anything else I could mention.
“And why not? From the memorable characters and stories to the distinctive graphic design, the culural legacies Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera created with their loyal teams of thousands will live inside people of the world for lifetimes to come.
“I’m honored to have played a small, final role in that heritage. And I’m glad you could all gather around to honor all those studio members and their talents and hard work.”
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On April 19th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I totally agree. it was like walking in a time capsule. The coolest place I ever worked and I am honored to have been a part of it all. But you playing a “small” role? I humbly beg to differ. I would say you played quite a significant role Fred. You revitalized a tiring studio and made it fresh, fun and one of the best places to work in the 90’s. You let it go out with a Bang! Nope. I think your role was a bit bigger than that. Granted, it may not have been as large as Bill and Joe’s but then those are mighty big shoes to fill.
On April 20th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Thank you kind sir.
On April 20th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Thank YOU sir! You changed my life!
On April 21st, 2007 at 12:00 am
I too have fond memories of H/B and seeing all the new creators in the hallways making their shorts, like “Whoopass girls” and Johnny Bravo. I met so many great people and my heart would burst with desire to be a part of it all one day! There I sat, making my copies, and duping tapes, but absorbing all I could. It is when I first learned of Fred, and knew he was doing cool stuff for animation. How lucky am I to have had the honor of making my own shorts, and fortunate to have worked for so many years in this field! Fred, I am so happy you found your way into our industry via the doors of Hanna-Barbera, animation is lucky to have you!