FableVision is a media production studio, so, you could say, we have lots of places to draw inspiration from. Our studio is filled with bright colors, funky stuffed animals, illustrated books, and so much more. In addition to what we have here, each animator, producer, developer, and marketer brings their own experiences as a personal source of inspiration. That's what makes our ideas so unique. So, we got to thinking, what kinds of things, specifically media-related things, influence us personally and form who we are individually? While there are countless media influences in our lives, we kept coming back to one idea: childhood television shows.
Everyone has vivid memories of a favorite childhood movie or TV show that has stayed with them to this day. Our attachments to these special shows can influence our likes and dislikes, our aspirations, even our values and character. We asked the studio what TV shows or movies have stayed close with them through the years. The answers we got may surprise you and could even bring back your childhood. Take a stroll down memory lane with us and check out our office favorites!
The Carol Burnett Show
Brian Grossman - Technical Director
Growing up, I loved The Carol Burnett Show. I've always enjoyed the format of variety shows (The Muppet Show, Saturday Night Live) with lots of quick, fun stories and goofy humor.
Actor and comedian Robin Williams
Cecilia Lenk - Creative Strategist
My favorite movie as a child was Blade Runner. It's dark and dystopian and has robots - what's not to love?
I also loved Robin Williams and his work - both his truly great movies and the somewhat unwatchable ones. I can't fathom that he is gone. Whenever Robin Williams showed up, either on TV or in a movie, it always made me happy.
Batman: The Animated Series
Hannah O'Neal - Artist/Animator
As a kid, I consumed a bunch of weirdo media! Some TV shows that I really loved and inspired me were Sailor Moon and Batman: The Animated Series. Movies that I loved to watch and inspired me were Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. Thanks, Disney!
3-2-1 Contact
Jordan Bach - Senior Developer
My favorite TV show for a while was 3-2-1 Contact. It was a great show about science, and I learned about the mysteries of the world and how scientists figure them out. The last few minutes of each episode was a serialized mystery called The Bloodhound Gang, which was awesome and a great way to teach critical thinking.
Looney Tunes
Renee Kurilla - Lead Animator
I watched a lot of cartoons as a kid, but what I loved the most was Looney Tunes. The characters felt like friends to me, and I spent a lot of time drawing them - my parents even let me paint them all over my bedroom walls. My favorite character was the Tasmanian Devil with Michigan J. Frog as a close second.
The Brady Bunch
Danielle Gillis - Producer
When I was a kid, we were limited to watching TV from 5-6 p.m. when my Mom was making dinner. We'd watch re-runs of The Brady Bunch and The Monkees. So I wouldn't say that my media experience as a kid inspired me to do what I do now.
However, all of those other hours of the day I would play with my brothers and sister and kids in the neighborhood. We had wild imaginations - we made up games like rock factory, witches and worm circus. We spent hours making up stories for our dolls and doing arts and crafts. I believe that's what inspired me to do what I do now. I've never lost that sense of playfulness and fun.
My Neighbor Totoro
Taryn Johnson - Production Artist and Animator
We had a very small movie collection growing up, but one of my favorites was My Neighbor Totoro. I felt like Satsuki and Mei were just like me and my sister, running around being silly and imaginative. I used to pretend we had our own Totoro in the woods behind our house!
Martin and Chris Kratt with beloved child icon Zaboomafoo
Amy Wetzel - Marketing Intern
Growing up, I watched a lot of PBS, and my favorite show was probably Zaboomafoo. I loved learning about all the different animals and seeing the Kratt brothers interact with real animals on the show - and I totally wished I was friends with Zaboomafoo the lemur in real life.
Barbra Streisand in the 1968 musical comedy Hello, Dolly!
Sarah Ditkoff - Communications and Development Strategist
I didn't watch much TV growing up, but I loved movies, especially long ones I could really relax into when I was home sick -- in particular, musicals. I especially loved My Fair Lady, The Music Man, Hello Dolly, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Soleil Moon Frye as "Punky Brewster"
Andrea Calvin - Brand and Development Strategist
I wanted to be Punky Brewster. She was the quirky girl that could handle everything - from saying no to drugs, to helping her friends, to battling scary giant spiders, and running a pizza place. And she had amazing style!
The cast of The Amanda Show: Josh Peck, Drake Bell, Amanda Bynes, and Nancy Sullivan.
Emma Doherty - Operations Intern
I watched a lot of Nickelodeon as a kid, and the show I made sure to never miss was The Amanda Show. I loved all the different sketches and would try to act them out with my friends. I basically wanted to be Amanda so that I could have my own show because I loved to make people laugh.
What were some of your favorite television shows or movies growing up? Comment or share with us - we'd love to hear!