Sunday, December 26, 2010

Cartoon Network: Changes and Development in the 2000s

New Series

Cartoon Network had created their second logo and slogan of “This is Cartoon Network” stated with a woman’s voice on June 14, 2004. The new 2D bumpers were in a CGI city setting with the characters of every cartoon show seen intermingling. The classic programs were moved to Boomerang, a sister network, and Cartoon Network broadcasted new ones.


It was during 2006 that the network decided to remove shows like Dexter's Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, etc. and grouped them together in The Cartoon Cartoon Show in 30-minute period. However, these were dropped after some time when the network changed CGI city setting on the same year. Though the shows such as Time Squad (2001), Mike, Lu & Og (1999), Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel (1997), Looney Tunes (1992), and Sheep in the Big City (2000) were completely taken out. Then the slogan was altered with the voice of Fred Fredburger (character from The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy) stating “Cartoon Network – Yes!”.


Refurbishing

The Cartoon Network president of 13 years, Jim Samples left the position on February 9, 2007 because of 2007 Boston bomb scare incident and was succeeded by Stuart Snyder. Snyder had made many changes such as the new theme song of “Fall is Just Something That Grown-Ups Invented” from The Hives on September 1, 2007. Then on October 15, 2007, the network channel broadcasts were improved to a 1080i high definition.


Signs-offs of the past included were sunrise to sunset setting with the logo placed on the sky and the words “Good Night, See You Tomorrow” displayed. It was changed to a black screen that popped down following a shout on April 2008, a sign-off that occurred before the showing of Adult Swim. This was further changed to show a clock with a time of 10:00 PM and a “Check Ya Later” message then the logo of Cartoon Network.


New Direction

On 2008, the Cartoonstitue project was started lead by Craig McCracken and Rob Renzetti (executive and supervising producer respectively) with Rob Scorcher as the man behind the idea. The workings were same as What A Cartoon! with no less than 150 shorts shows generated in 20 months. However, the project was terminated in the end with just one selection – the Regular Show.


Cartoon Network brought in programs from Teletoon (Canadian network) like George of the Jungle, 6teen, Total Drama Island then Total Drama Action and Total Drama World Tour, Chaotic and Bakugan Battle Brawlers. With Cartoon Network Wedgies show played after two programs this started on May 25, 2008. Then on July 14, 2008, the new bumper created by Kidrobot and Tristan Eaton is of faceless, white Noods (from DIY Munny toy) and the corresponding logo which used the standard one but in white and changed to another color depending on occasion.


The screen bug was modified on June 12, 2009 with a look of all black and white-colored prints. On same month, the network began broadcasting live reality shows in their project CN Real. Cartoon Network started playing limited sports as well like Slamball games.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Cartoon Network: A Background History

The history behind the logo started on May 1, 1992 in which the first logo of Cartoon Network was introduced and utilized for more than a decade, starting October 1, 1992 – June 13, 2004. But still can be found on skull teeth of Adult Swim logo with official permission of course. Then on May 29, 2010, a new Cartoon Network logo was launched with different style font and has been adapted in promotional.

Early Developments and Launching (Late 1980s-1990s)

It was during 1986 that the cable-TV company owned by Ted Turner has obtained the 1986 pre-May films and TV library of MGM from Gilligan’s Island to some major rights in RKO Radio Pictures and to a.a.p. catalog. This a.a.p. catalog namely consists of: pre-1950 Warner Bros. Film, Harman and Ising, Merrie Melodies (apart from Lady Play Your Mandolin!), 1918 pre-August colored-cartoons of Warner Bros., Fleischer Studios, and Popeye from Famous Studios (formerly Paramount Pictures owned). Then on 1988, the Turner Network Television cable channel started its operation. Turner further increased the company’s animation library with the additional of Hanna-Barbera Productions studio and Ruby-Spears.

The first logo made was designed with an encircled cartoon character and “CARTOON” word placed above and the word “NETWORK” below for promotional uses. However, this logo was not adopted with the broadcasts. Cartoon Network started showing on October 1, 1992 with Warner Bros. classic cartoons repeats like Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies, Popeye cartoons, and with MGM and Hanna-Barbera animations.

The cartoons were scheduled to broadcast 24/7 with the first Checkerboard theme and using the logo from 1992. Mostly were short cartoons and played in 30-minute time or in packages lasting 1 hour each with a studio or character displayed in between like Down Wit' Droopy D, The Tom and Jerry Show, Bugs and Daffy Tonight. On afternoons, there was High Noon Toons – a program with cowboy hand-puppets host. At night, playing are Late Night Black and White cartoons (black-and-white animations) and ToonHeads with three same-themed short cartoons and trivia afterwards.

The Network’s Original Series

The first show broadcasted, a cartoon network original, was entitled The Moxy Show in the year 1993. Then during 1994, Cartoon Network Studios was launched (a Hanna-Barbera division) and began showing during 1995 with short cartoons in series, The What-A-Cartoon! Show (the third original show and was also called World-Premiere Toons or “What-A-Cartoon”) production. The men behind this project are executive of Cartoon Network, John Kricfalusi (maker of The Ren & Stimpy Show) and Fred Seibert (producer of Oh, Yeah! Cartoons and Random Cartoons).

The reason behind the project was to increase exclusive programs and establish new ideas of cartoons with six cartoons made into series, namely: Dexter's Laboratory (1996), Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken (1997), The Powerpuff Girls (1998), Mike, Lu & Og, and Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999). As one, these six are called Cartoon Cartoons – origin of original cartoons of cartoon network. The six was added with I Am Weasel (1997) and Ed, Edd n Eddy (1999).

Time Warner Acquisition

Merging of Turner and Time Warner happened on 1996. So WB cartoons were under one name and all the cartoons from 1948 post-July to blank-and-white cartoons of former Sunset were shown on cartoon network. Then WB’s new cartoon productions began to be aired in which most are rerun shows that was played on Kids’ WB and some original programs like Justice League.

It was in 1997 that Canada started showing Cartoon Network programs as Teletoon network came to be. Also in the same year, the network has first introduced the channel Powerhouse era with cartoon character bumpers and Powerhouse music. When 1998 came, Cartoon Network was widely recognized with Powerhouse era. But this era came to a stop in June 13, 2004 and Cartoon Network concluded the use of Powerhouse music before that on year 2003.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Miniclip: Free Online Games to Play

Miniclip is one of the most popular online games website in today’s gaming age that. Its name is worldwide known that surely even you know of it. This online gaming option has attracted many guests and players alike each month. The games offered at Miniclip are all can be played for free unlike other gaming sites.

With Miniclip games, players can occupy themselves and enjoy playing the games available. This site gives everybody the chance to have fun with the free games particularly those who are bored easily and those who can’t afford buying new ones. Whatever the needs and wants the players may have on gaming, Miniclip has it. Playing Miniclip games allows them to save a lot of dollars that would have gone to buying new games.

Miniclip offers variety of game categorization that you will surely enjoy as you play to pass the time, ranging from adventure games to games with comedy plots. From the gaming choices that Miniclip provides, you have the opportunity test play every game or you can play whatever you want and even have mix up. The games are designed with creative plots to capture the players’ interests and with graphical designs of top quality that every gamer would certainly love. Within Miniclip’s library are some of the most popular online games that everybody is addicted to.

Even though the games’ graphics are basic and not the customary 3D, it still attracts many gamers’ interest because the plots are imaginative and amazing. The one thing that Miniclip has that many other gaming sites don’t have is that with Miniclip, it will cost you nothing to play. Because of this, you can save a lot of money each year instead of using it to buy a new video game. If you are searching for a game, look into sites that offer games to play for free for these same games are offered by other gaming sites for a price before you can start palying.

With Miniclip games, having fun and enjoying playing the offered is possible and there will be no money matter concerns. Either you are looking for a new game to try out or simply play again the game you love, all of these you will find in Miniclip games. The term pay before you can start playing is not applicable with Miniclip games for this gaming option provides you hundreds of free games to play with one click on your mouse and keyboard. Being addicted to Miniclip games is not such a bad thing for you are not alone but just keep it in balance and remember the important not so events.