Women In Animation

by Rochelle Perry

Stephanie Graziano coordinated this special event commemorating the many generations of Hanna-Barbera cartoons. The panelists included Jerry Eisenberg, designer and artist; Susan Blu, voice actor and voice director; Dennis Venezelos, artist/art director; Jayne Demente, gender educator who at one time was a secretary at Hanna-Barbera and later created their production library; and Iraj Paran, art director and graphic artist.

To kick off the discussion, it started with how working at Hanna-Barbera impacted their careers. The panelists agreed with Jayne: “[Working there] imparted a strong work ethic and a sense of teamwork.” Truly, Hanna and Barbera put their whole hearts into their projects, generating a work ethic that their workers adopted.

They also encouraged creative freedom, whether it be with the simple design of the characters, the pioneering techniques involved, the humorous stories, or the charm in the acting. Susan recalls the freedom to suggest a voice she thought would suit a character. Mentoring and promoting growth within the studio was common. After applying for a summer job, Iraj went on to becoming an artist, along with many other talented individuals. And from all the art produced, Jayne went on to creating “one of best production libraries in the world.”

With passion driving the production, the studio soon evolved as a powerhouse for children’s entertainment, trudging along to what we call the “cartoon baby boom.” They were producing so many shows at once that the demand for artists grew; thus, they outsourced their animation overseas, the first of its day.

But even with the help overseas, eighty hours a week was still normal in-house. Stephanie remembers looking forward to the layoffs. And despite rumors that the studio was a sweatshop, Dennis comment, the crew still spared time for fun, playing pranks on each other after hours. “It was a very lighthearted place, very much like a family.”

Work hard, play hard. That was a motto by which Hanna-Barbera lived. Never has this motto been more prevalent than in the Hanna-Barbera days, one by which every studio should live, and one which earned them their success. Both men had a lot of heart and passion, which has reflected in the hearts of their employees. With this backing them up they have created some of the most memorable animated cartoons to date.

by Shannon Muir

2006 saw the passing of Joe Barbera, half of the animation legacy of Hanna-Barbera, without whom many great women - and men - might not have gotten their breaks in the biz. With the great assistance of Sander Schwartz and Warner Bros. Animation (who now own Hanna-Barbera), Women in Animation honored that legacy at Warner Bros. Animation in Sherman Oaks while taking care of a little bit of business.

As a nonprofit corporation, WIA is required to elect a board of officers, all of whom came into office with an overwhelming majority. The same could be said of the two ballot measures embracing the international growth of WIA as well as removing the longstanding two-sponsor requirement for membership, according to Administrator Mary Ellen Thomas.

A wide selection of finger foods and cheesecakes, with beverages ranging from coffee to tea to water, came courtesy of Frederator Studios in New York. WIA founder Rita Street “channeled” (in now-former President Jan Nagel’s terms) a message from Fred Seibert, owner of Frederator and last President of Hanna-Barbera. He spoke of being part of a legacy to live inside people for a lifetime to come.

A detailed account of the Hanna-Barbera panel event will follow in a separate blog post.

It was an evening of fun and, for some, memories as WIA members were regaled with stories of passion and pranks and life at Hanna-Barbera. Special thanks to our panelists: Jayne Demente, Jerry Eisenberg, Susan Blu and Dennis Venezelos, Iraj Paran.

Also a special thanks to Warner Bros. Animation and Frederator Studios for their invaluable help and support.

Keep checking in. A more detailed report will be posted soon.