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Introduction
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Spot-A-Toon (Introduction)
When Cartoon Network developed a new introduction for "Fridays" in 2003, they brought a wealth of production know-how to create the most ambitious
opening to a program ever done for the network. So what made it so great? The opening was actually inspired by several network promotional clips done over the past five years, in which the cartoon characters are "stars" that work in the actual Cartoon Network building in Atlanta, Georgia.
Although the opening is only a minute long, it took three months to produce. Then quick motion and panning add to the already hectic zaniness of the characters. Add into this the use of real Cartoon Network employees, and you have a live-action/animation mix that is as quirky and memorable as "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?". The opening introduction was produced by Primal Screen, one of the network's partnered companies that have produced many music videos and on-air promotions.
To some of the more savvy viewers, you'll notice the introduction has many (and I mean many) tie-ins to past on-air promotions. These promos lead up to the groupings of certain characters in the Fridays introduction. Here is a short listing of them:
"Sidekicks"
A group of cartoon sidekicks have a meeting in a support group. Note that Barney Rubble and Boo Boo have become good friends."Yogi's ID"
When Yogi Bear forgot his ID, he is refused entry into the building. In the intro, you'll notice him at the desk STILL complaining about it."Parking Space"
Fred Flintstone, Thundarr, and Chicken look for a parking spot in the network's parking lot. The promo left them still search for one, after they tried to beat Scooby and Speed Racer to a spot, but lost. You'll notice the trio is walking in the building in the Fridays opening. They must have found a spot."Scrappy Loses It"
Scrappy-Doo feels angry because the Cartoon Cartoons get better treatment than him, espically considering he's been there longer. He even yells at Dexter and makes him cry. In the Fridays intro, you'll see Scrappy still sitting at the front door, pouting."Water Cooler"
Snagglepuss and Wilma Flintstone talk gossip around the water cooler in the offices. You'll notice the two sitting next to each other in the cafeteria in the Fridays opening."Ugh's Mighty Grudge"
A spot in which Ugh and Edd talked in the offices, and Ugh becomes enraged with his unfair treatment. Edd gets scared. Ugh is still walking down the hallway angry in the Fridays opening.So, as you can tell, the introduction is more than just a minute's worth of eye candy. Its is an acumination of some of the best network promotions in a fun, fast, and lively introduction. Now that you have a little history, feel free to explore the visual break-down we've created of the Fridays opening.....