Tom Terrific 1958 Production Plan

Terrytoons. Here was my locale that most interests the animation historians. So now I finally have the chance to tell it like it really was. I name names — all the names, and print the pix. And all the production details about Tom Terrific. I tell you what I did and what I tried to do — a "renaissance" — a total make over... and I tell you why it failed.

By Gene Deitch | Tuesday, June 10, 2003 at 12:00 am

Posted In | Magazines: AnimationWorld | Columns: Career Coach

An excerpt from Gene Deitch's book, How To Succeed In Animation (Don't Let A Little Thing Like Failure Stop You!).

Here is a faithful reproduction of the surviving actual production notes for the second series of Tom Terrific, as issued by me in March, 1958

From: Gene Deitch TOM TERRIFIC "PRODUCTION PROCEDURE" 1958 Series

I. General
The entire Tom Terrific project will operate on a Production Line basis in order to achieve a unity of style and a maximum output. Ralph Sancier will act as over-all production coordinator, reporting to Sparky.

II. Elements The TT Project will consist of thirteen complete stories to be presented in two versions each:

Version I consists of five daily episodes. (called the DAILY VERSION)

Version II consists of the complete story in two parts.(SATURDAY VERSION)

The daily episodes will be constructed as follows:

		MONDAY	TUE-WED-THU	FRIDAY
STD:	Standard Title	10"	10"	10"
	Standard Song	30"	30"	30"

Recap,.incl.title*

05" +

30"

45"

Story 2:15 2:00 2:00

Preview*

30"

20"

15" (Std Preview)

STD:	Std End Title	05"	05"	05"
	Total Length:	3:35	3:35	3:35

+Story title and fanfare only
*Includes "teaser" title

Monday's title will name story but
NOT "Chapter I"

The Saturday version will be constructed like so:

PART I

STD:	Standard Title	10"
	.....Standard Song	30"

Story Title Card	05"	(Monday's Title)
Mon-Tue-Wed Story	6:15
Wed Preview	20"
Black Leader			Part I total 7:20

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Comments

Where is Isotope Feeny when you need him?

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Leon Koszarsky (not verified) | Tue, 03/23/2004 - 01:00 | Permalink

I just want to say that Tom Terrific was my favorite toon when I was growing up...shows my age huh? But it always had a "terrific message" and made me feel like life wasn't so bad. If you were good and worked hard things would work out, wish it was true now...but back then I had a mom and dad that took care of the hard stuff like money. Anyway I'll never forget it!

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Pat Hatcker (not verified) | Fri, 06/13/2003 - 00:00 | Permalink

I wonder why Mr. Dietch wait so long in bringing the TT prodution schedule, I was the main camera man on the project, and sadly I don't remember this sequence taking place, to the best of my recollection, Bill Weiss was the motovating factor in the prodcution of TT. along with Gene Wood who was the head writer and overseer associated with "Captain Kangaroo". The Tom Terrific series was produced as a low budget property. akin to Rough and ready. It was hand inked and only a minimum of white or gray cel paint was used to cover any lines that crissed crossed. Yes there was animosity, between Weiss and Gene deitch, there was no denying the fact.