Mr. Hanna receiving the Pearson plaque
On the first day, I had to get up at 4 AM to catch my flight. I was too excited to sleep on the plane, but that's ok, that same excitement kept me going till midnight that night. Straight off the plane, we got on a bus and headed to Hanna Barbera animation studios. It's a cool place, a bright yellow building, with characters like Fred Flinstone painted in the parking lot, and an absolutely beautiful flower garden out front.
Inside, we were greeted by Carlton Clay, who led us on the tour. He was a very interesting guy, with the catch phrase "Hot Dog!" Now, a lot of people use this phrase from time to time, but he said it so often, and with such enthusiasm, that it was apparent within the first few minutes that it would become a real part of his personality. First, he answered questions and talked about the work of the studio, and it's history, going back to Tom and Jerry, through to Johnny Bravo. Then we got on with the tour.
The studios themselves were really cool. There are Hanna Barbera characters lining the walls. Along the way we poked into offices where people were working: character designers, colourists, sound designers, you name it. We also went to the sound recording booth, where we were entertained by some amusing stories about Robin Williams. Actually Robin Williams was a recurring theme at almost all the places we visited...
Anyway, all that is nothing; after touring the studio, we got to go upstairs and meet Bill Hanna himself! He is a really nice man, a tad forgetful - he asked us four times where we were from, but he's really nice. He is 86 years old, and goes in to work every day - I think he probably will until the day he dies. We posed for pictures, gave him the honorary Silicon Valley Tour plaque, a newspaper article talking about the trip, a T-shirt and pin from the school. Then we were off, on our way to the hotel to finally check in.
well, I suppose I was right. Bill Hanna died recently, in March 2001. His family wrote me thanking me for this page, as it gage them comfort the day after he died. I am glad they enjoyed it.
Back to main California trip page
Disney
The World Animation Celebration
Philip Alexy (ILM animator)
|
