Writers Working on 'The Simpsons' Movie

AP/Miami Herald ^ | 4.7.2004

[NYC GOP Chick]

NEW YORK - Lisa Simpson will still be 8 when "The Simpsons" movie comes out - but we'll be a lot older.

Writers are working now, but the voice of Lisa Simpson, Yeardley Smith, said the film won't be made until the series is over, and it still has at least two seasons to go. Smith said it will then take three years to make the movie because "animation takes forever."

Despite the lengthy process, Smith says she's glad to hear about the movie. "My wish for the show is that it go out with a bang and not a pimple," Smith told AP Radio. "And if we can do a movie and it can be as good as our best episodes, I'm thrilled. I think that would be wonderful."

Smith said she hopes the writers will keep Lisa's childlike sense of humor in the movie.

"If they just make her too esoteric, too philosophical, too bright, too much the voice of reason then she really becomes insufferable," she said. "You have to always, always, always remember that she's 8 and that she's a huge Itchy and Scratchy fan, that she loves Krusty the Clown. And that in spite of her beliefs and her issues, she's a kid."

[billbears]

So five years from now we may see a Simpsons movie? I just can't see it. The Simpsons fits good in thirty minute spots. Not sure I would want to sit through a two hour movie of them

[Polonius]

Two more seasons? I've been a fan of "The Simpsons" since the beginning, but it's really gone downhill in the past few years. Frankly, they should have ended it several seasons ago.

[GulliverSwift]

They talked about doing it years ago but apparently decided to put it off until the end of the series.

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[Dancing Jane]

"Smith said it will then take three years to make the movie because 'animation takes forever.'"

Shouldn't it just take about 4 times as long as it take to draw a regular weekly episode?

[Hank Rearden]

They talked about doing it years ago but apparently decided to put it off until the end of the series.

Sure. One last tug on the teat, and they know it doesn't have to be stellar to bring in $120 million.

[KJacob]

This article highlights the recent problem with the Simpson's: too much Lisa. There is nothing more annoying than a know-it-all liberal 8 year old. When they focus more on Homer then it is still a top notch show.

[Sabretooth]

From what I understand the guys who make South Park can crank out an episode in under a week.

Whats the problem with the creators of the simpsons, havent they discovered computers yet?

[Xenalyte]

Absolutely. I have a Simpsons litmus test for new acquaintances: I ask their favorite Simpson and their favorite non-Simpson. I know I'm okay if they answer anything but Lisa for the first part; the second part is just for enrichment. (I like Homer and Mr. Burns, myself.)

[Gun142]

There's about 22-24 minutes per episode.
Think I read one time it takes 6-8 weeks from start to finish.

[spiffy]

Homer, Ned Flanders

[GulliverSwift]

My favorite Simpson is the old, non-whiny Bart. My favorite non-Simpson is Moe.

[guitfiddlist]

Two more seasons? I've been a fan of "The Simpsons" since the beginning, but it's really gone downhill in the past few years. Frankly, they should have ended it several seasons ago

I agree. All good things come to an end - and lately, the writing lacks the biting and accurate satire that made it an American classic. Also, they're getting to be knee-jerk leftists in their lampooning of Republicans and conservatives. It's always good to be able to laugh at oneself, but their caricatures are so off the mark, you can't even do that.

[Xenalyte]

South Park isn't animated as well as the Simpsons, which actually gets animated in Korea (at Rough Draft Studio, last time I checked). Also, the voices take lots of time, especially guest voices who haven't tried to sync lines with animated mouth movement. SP, iirc, is all done here, and Parker and Stone keep it timely because they have creative control and they CAN make an episode in such a short time.

[Xenalyte]

Those are both good. If you'd said Rod or Todd, I'd have had to suspect you.

[Xenalyte]

Good choices . . . I also must admit to a quiet fondness for Barney and Apu.

[wideminded]

"My wish for the show is that it go out with a bang and not a pimple."

I've never heard this expression before. Some possibilities:

1. She made it up.
2. The AP reporter is an idiot and did not hear her correctly.
3. It's a Simpson's reference.

[KJacob]

Homer and Sideshow Bob.

By the way did you know that Lisa is John Ashcroft's favorite? scarry.

[Maceman]

Also, the voices take lots of time, especially guest voices who haven't tried to sync lines with animated mouth movement.

The voices are recorded FIRST, and then the animated mouth movement is done to the voices.