Pink-skinned five-fingered Simpsons
March 4, 2006 4:33 PM Subscribe
Real-life recreation of The Simpsons opening. (YouTube link)
I was starting to think that maybe there were too many YouTube and Google Video links. . .
But if they're all as cool as this one, bring 'em on! I thought I vaguely remembered something about some Department of Defense project, but I'm pretty sure that this is why the Internet was invented.
posted by veggieboy at 4:40 PM on March 4, 2006
But if they're all as cool as this one, bring 'em on! I thought I vaguely remembered something about some Department of Defense project, but I'm pretty sure that this is why the Internet was invented.
posted by veggieboy at 4:40 PM on March 4, 2006
I hear it cost a pretty penny for that. Anyone know what the context was for creating that?
posted by furtive at 4:40 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by furtive at 4:40 PM on March 4, 2006
It's sort of a cocktease to put all that effort into mapping everything out for the opening and then not do at least one or two other scenes.
posted by Space Coyote at 4:41 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by Space Coyote at 4:41 PM on March 4, 2006
[this is good]
posted by exlotuseater at 4:42 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by exlotuseater at 4:42 PM on March 4, 2006
Looks British to me... maybe a commercial for some network that has picked up the show?
posted by chudmonkey at 4:43 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by chudmonkey at 4:43 PM on March 4, 2006
So apparently this was filmed by the Simpsons producers themselves. I did not know that.
It is still cool. But now I am missing the jaw-dropping wow factor that was present when I (naively?) thought it was some fan project.
posted by veggieboy at 4:47 PM on March 4, 2006
It is still cool. But now I am missing the jaw-dropping wow factor that was present when I (naively?) thought it was some fan project.
posted by veggieboy at 4:47 PM on March 4, 2006
Heh. No strapless dresses for Marge and Lisa, huh? Bummer.
posted by Gator at 4:50 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by Gator at 4:50 PM on March 4, 2006
My 6 year old daughter said "Is this the real simpsons? Of course she's been a simpsons fan since she was 1 (before she was 2 she knew simpsons trivia, like that the cat is named snowball II).
posted by 445supermag at 4:55 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by 445supermag at 4:55 PM on March 4, 2006
This is the greatest thing I've seen in a while.
posted by feathermeat at 5:02 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by feathermeat at 5:02 PM on March 4, 2006
So when are they going to do a version out of clay and then Legos?
posted by fenriq at 5:04 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by fenriq at 5:04 PM on March 4, 2006
Not bad. I'd have preferred they were accurate in regard to the little details but that's just me.
posted by juiceCake at 5:06 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by juiceCake at 5:06 PM on March 4, 2006
I thought it was great except for one tiny thing. Did anybody else notice that when Homer is leaving the plant the radioactive "thing" doesn't jump into his shirt? Yet he still throws it out the car window in a later scene.
Am i missing it?
aside from that though, awesome. I was giddy while i was downloading this.
posted by freudianslipper at 5:07 PM on March 4, 2006
Am i missing it?
aside from that though, awesome. I was giddy while i was downloading this.
posted by freudianslipper at 5:07 PM on March 4, 2006
AWESQME!
It occurred to me after watching to go back and see how Maggie gets on the couch. I kind of like that she just appears there.
posted by squarehead at 5:12 PM on March 4, 2006
It occurred to me after watching to go back and see how Maggie gets on the couch. I kind of like that she just appears there.
posted by squarehead at 5:12 PM on March 4, 2006
I kept thinking about the guy who got cast as Homer. The producers couldn't find anybody who looked more like Homer Simpson than him. He's gotta feel awesome about being in the spot, but I imagine a little voice in the back of his head saying "Homer Simpson? That makes me feel good about myself."
posted by PhatLobley at 5:12 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by PhatLobley at 5:12 PM on March 4, 2006
*grin*
posted by sourwookie at 5:14 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by sourwookie at 5:14 PM on March 4, 2006
Wasn't there one done in clay? Maybe I'm imagining things.
There were some details missing, it's true. (You're right, freudianslipper, I can't see the radioactive thingy jumping into live-action-Homer's clothes).
But the details they did include are kind of cool -- like the characters the cars zips by when Bart is skateboarding down the street. And live-action-music-teacher's resemblance to the animated version is great, too.
posted by veggieboy at 5:15 PM on March 4, 2006
There were some details missing, it's true. (You're right, freudianslipper, I can't see the radioactive thingy jumping into live-action-Homer's clothes).
But the details they did include are kind of cool -- like the characters the cars zips by when Bart is skateboarding down the street. And live-action-music-teacher's resemblance to the animated version is great, too.
posted by veggieboy at 5:15 PM on March 4, 2006
It occurred to me after watching to go back and see how Maggie gets on the couch. I kind of like that she just appears there.
posted by squarehead
Bart and Lisa run in from the left side of the screen first, then Homer and Marge come in from the right. As Marge runs past the kids, there's a quick cut and when she moves by Maggie appears.
posted by papakwanz at 5:20 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by squarehead
Bart and Lisa run in from the left side of the screen first, then Homer and Marge come in from the right. As Marge runs past the kids, there's a quick cut and when she moves by Maggie appears.
posted by papakwanz at 5:20 PM on March 4, 2006
Marge was driving on the wrong side of the car.
Worst recreation ever.
posted by crunchland at 5:41 PM on March 4, 2006
Worst recreation ever.
posted by crunchland at 5:41 PM on March 4, 2006
Very funny and well done.
Is it all live tho? It looked a little special-effects-y when Bart skateboards over the top of the car onto the driveway.
posted by jam_pony at 5:43 PM on March 4, 2006
Is it all live tho? It looked a little special-effects-y when Bart skateboards over the top of the car onto the driveway.
posted by jam_pony at 5:43 PM on March 4, 2006
crunchland, it's British. Marge is on the right side which is the right side. The policeman is Bobby-looking too.
posted by jam_pony at 5:44 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by jam_pony at 5:44 PM on March 4, 2006
Very good indeed. But it's cool-factor is dimmed somewhat once you learn its not a fan based thing but a professional shoot done by the Simpsons producers. But still cool, nonetheless.
posted by Effigy2000 at 5:45 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by Effigy2000 at 5:45 PM on March 4, 2006
I heart this link
posted by allen.spaulding at 5:46 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by allen.spaulding at 5:46 PM on March 4, 2006
The only thing I noticed is that the skateboard scenes were slow. I think thats just because in the intro, Bart is skateboarding quite fast (almost unpossible speeds).
posted by SirOmega at 5:51 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by SirOmega at 5:51 PM on March 4, 2006
I really like this. But, it puts the fear in me of a live action Simpsons movie.
posted by stavrogin at 6:04 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by stavrogin at 6:04 PM on March 4, 2006
"Rest assured I was on the internet within minutes registering my disgust throughout the world!"
posted by keswick at 6:06 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by keswick at 6:06 PM on March 4, 2006
The cartoons are alive. ALIIIIIVE!
posted by lalochezia at 6:07 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by lalochezia at 6:07 PM on March 4, 2006
Stavrogin is on to something...
"If they liked it for 22 seconds, they'll love it for 88 minutes!@!!one!1"
posted by zpousman at 6:08 PM on March 4, 2006
"If they liked it for 22 seconds, they'll love it for 88 minutes!@!!one!1"
posted by zpousman at 6:08 PM on March 4, 2006
The actors have too many fingers. Aside from that, ehhhhhxcellent.
posted by soiled cowboy at 6:10 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by soiled cowboy at 6:10 PM on March 4, 2006
Was that quonsar cast as Homer?
posted by If I Had An Anus at 6:18 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by If I Had An Anus at 6:18 PM on March 4, 2006
Awesome. Suck it, YouTube haters!
posted by brain_drain at 6:26 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by brain_drain at 6:26 PM on March 4, 2006
I have no idea why that's cool, but it is. Especially now The Simpsons aren't anymore.
I miss "Love Is Hell". A lot.
posted by Decani at 6:28 PM on March 4, 2006
I miss "Love Is Hell". A lot.
posted by Decani at 6:28 PM on March 4, 2006
Homer's exposed 'butt-crack' as he passes from the garage to the den cracked me up.
posted by ericb at 6:29 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by ericb at 6:29 PM on March 4, 2006
I like that Homer drives a Lada and looks exactly like quonsar.
posted by insomnus at 6:36 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by insomnus at 6:36 PM on March 4, 2006
i really liked this but i as well am a bit concerned at the prospect of a live action movie. ESPECIALLY since the actual Simspons producers made this. I kind of feel like this is a test to see how people react to the lovable characters as real people.
posted by trishthedish at 6:40 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by trishthedish at 6:40 PM on March 4, 2006
When Bart is skating on the sidewalk, he passes a guy who looks like Bleeding Gums Murphy.
posted by jefbla at 6:40 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by jefbla at 6:40 PM on March 4, 2006
jam_pony: "crunchland, it's British. Marge is on the right side which is the right side."
Actually, this really annoyed me, too — why not do a faithful recreation? It would have been as simple as mirroring the shot. Even that aside, note that Homer (for the sake of matching the animated version) has to get out of the lefthand side of the car when he pulls into the driveway. I don't mean to be a pedant, but they're trying to have it both ways.
posted by rafter at 6:46 PM on March 4, 2006
Actually, this really annoyed me, too — why not do a faithful recreation? It would have been as simple as mirroring the shot. Even that aside, note that Homer (for the sake of matching the animated version) has to get out of the lefthand side of the car when he pulls into the driveway. I don't mean to be a pedant, but they're trying to have it both ways.
posted by rafter at 6:46 PM on March 4, 2006
Maybe a live action movie could work if it were made with an all british cast. I'm not certain why I think that.
posted by stavrogin at 6:47 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by stavrogin at 6:47 PM on March 4, 2006
insomnus: That's not a Lada, it's a Volvo 242. My granddad had one of those, and it's exactly what I imagine Homer would drive.
posted by springload at 7:07 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by springload at 7:07 PM on March 4, 2006
Oh sorry, that is Marge's car.
posted by springload at 7:10 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by springload at 7:10 PM on March 4, 2006
You are mistaken. Homer drives a Lada, Marge drives a Volvo.
posted by insomnus at 7:11 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by insomnus at 7:11 PM on March 4, 2006
Pretty awesome. Although Bart doesn't look at the TV screens when he passes them, and all the other niggling problems. Good stuff.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 7:11 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 7:11 PM on March 4, 2006
But it's cool-factor is dimmed somewhat once you learn its not a fan based thing but a professional shoot done by the Simpsons producers.
Could anybody watch this and mistake it for a fan-based thing? Particularly that last section where the Bart skateboards across Homer's car, Maggie cycles past and then Marge chases Homer through the garage?
I struggle to see how anyone could have mistaken it for anything other than a pro-shoot/edit job.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:13 PM on March 4, 2006
Could anybody watch this and mistake it for a fan-based thing? Particularly that last section where the Bart skateboards across Homer's car, Maggie cycles past and then Marge chases Homer through the garage?
I struggle to see how anyone could have mistaken it for anything other than a pro-shoot/edit job.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:13 PM on March 4, 2006
Wow. Incredible. God, I hope they don't stretch it into a full-length atrocity though.
posted by arcticwoman at 7:27 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by arcticwoman at 7:27 PM on March 4, 2006
C'mon, people... No one is going to make a live-action version of The Simpsons, at least for 20 years or so, a la The Flintstones.
posted by chudmonkey at 7:50 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by chudmonkey at 7:50 PM on March 4, 2006
I'd watch it. The live action recreations of comics has worked (sorta) before with The Tick.
posted by Balisong at 7:50 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by Balisong at 7:50 PM on March 4, 2006
No real couch gag, but other than that, fantastic.
Did they film more than one opening? Because in the YouTube'd video the Bartoid is writing "I will not eat things for money" but in the screen cap in the Sun article linked above he's writing "I am not a dentist".
posted by George_Spiggott at 7:57 PM on March 4, 2006
Did they film more than one opening? Because in the YouTube'd video the Bartoid is writing "I will not eat things for money" but in the screen cap in the Sun article linked above he's writing "I am not a dentist".
posted by George_Spiggott at 7:57 PM on March 4, 2006
As a promo for the series airing on British television, I think the right-side drive works very well, actually.
Wasn't there one done in clay? Maybe I'm imagining things.
I think that was earlier this season (17x02 - My Fair Laddy?), and it was just the couch sequence. Gumby made a surprise appearance.
posted by unmake at 8:03 PM on March 4, 2006
Wasn't there one done in clay? Maybe I'm imagining things.
I think that was earlier this season (17x02 - My Fair Laddy?), and it was just the couch sequence. Gumby made a surprise appearance.
posted by unmake at 8:03 PM on March 4, 2006
That was just great.
posted by nightchrome at 8:44 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by nightchrome at 8:44 PM on March 4, 2006
Yeah, I was really bummed by the lack of a couch gag to finish it off.
posted by Pryde at 8:48 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by Pryde at 8:48 PM on March 4, 2006
The clay couch gag done in claymation is from "My Fair Laddie", but that's episode 17x12, not 17x02. It was first aired last week.
posted by chudmonkey at 9:42 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by chudmonkey at 9:42 PM on March 4, 2006
That's a VERY cute baby.
posted by ParisParamus at 10:10 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by ParisParamus at 10:10 PM on March 4, 2006
Sweet.
posted by Citizen Premier at 10:20 PM on March 4, 2006
posted by Citizen Premier at 10:20 PM on March 4, 2006
If they wanted a 'cheap' couch gag why didn't they get the voice actors to run onto the couch?
posted by Navek Rednam at 12:13 AM on March 5, 2006
posted by Navek Rednam at 12:13 AM on March 5, 2006
The 'couch gag" is where the family waits for their union benefits to kick in.
posted by maryh at 3:39 AM on March 5, 2006
posted by maryh at 3:39 AM on March 5, 2006
If they'd used the couch gag where Matt Groening signs the carpet that would've been super-cool.
Of course it'd also make no sense because Matt wouldn't have drawn the scene. Um....
posted by dodgygeezer at 4:20 AM on March 5, 2006
Of course it'd also make no sense because Matt wouldn't have drawn the scene. Um....
posted by dodgygeezer at 4:20 AM on March 5, 2006
rafter:
What they've done is make a real life *British* version of the opening titles. For British TV. Hence all the Britishisms. You know...what would the Simpsons be like in the UK. Which is why there 'NRA Forever' doesn't come up when UKMaggie gets scanned...
posted by i_cola at 4:35 AM on March 5, 2006
What they've done is make a real life *British* version of the opening titles. For British TV. Hence all the Britishisms. You know...what would the Simpsons be like in the UK. Which is why there 'NRA Forever' doesn't come up when UKMaggie gets scanned...
posted by i_cola at 4:35 AM on March 5, 2006
i_cola
Except for the part where Homer gets out of the lefthand side in the driveway, as has already been pointed out.
Worst. Recreation. Ever.
posted by Falconetti at 8:30 AM on March 5, 2006
Except for the part where Homer gets out of the lefthand side in the driveway, as has already been pointed out.
Worst. Recreation. Ever.
posted by Falconetti at 8:30 AM on March 5, 2006
Compare-'n'-contrast with the original Simpsons opening (which has some scenes I hadn't seen before.)
posted by kirkaracha at 9:22 AM on March 5, 2006
posted by kirkaracha at 9:22 AM on March 5, 2006
Except that Quonsa-Homer's Lada is a Left-Hand Drive model, which I hear is not unprecedented in the UK.
posted by insomnus at 11:21 AM on March 5, 2006
posted by insomnus at 11:21 AM on March 5, 2006
Wow -- thanks for that link.
posted by skepticallypleased at 11:46 AM on March 5, 2006
posted by skepticallypleased at 11:46 AM on March 5, 2006
Heh...they even had Mr. Burns shaking his watch in disbelief!
Nice recreation!
posted by darkstar at 11:54 AM on March 5, 2006
Nice recreation!
posted by darkstar at 11:54 AM on March 5, 2006
In the usual (cartoon) opening, NRA Forever doesn't come up when Maggie gets scanned. That was just a one-time gag in a compilation episode.
posted by ghastlyfop at 12:20 PM on March 5, 2006
posted by ghastlyfop at 12:20 PM on March 5, 2006
Wow. I approve.
posted by Faint of Butt at 4:15 PM on March 5, 2006
posted by Faint of Butt at 4:15 PM on March 5, 2006
Hmm... for all the effort they put into filming this, would it have been so hard to get a blue wig for "Marge"? Oh well...
"Maggie" being scanned and "Bart" skateboarding off the car - cool!
posted by hellhammer at 12:22 AM on March 6, 2006
"Maggie" being scanned and "Bart" skateboarding off the car - cool!
posted by hellhammer at 12:22 AM on March 6, 2006
Damn, this almost scrolled off the page before I saw it. That's what you get for being busy. Thanks for a great find.
posted by donpedro at 6:02 PM on March 6, 2006
posted by donpedro at 6:02 PM on March 6, 2006
The Simpsons Come to Life
"Makers of the hit cartoon The Simpsons have filmed the show's opening titles using real actors.posted by ericb at 6:14 PM on March 6, 2006
In the hit viral going around the world we get to see what Bart, Homer, Marg, Lisa and Maggie would look like if they were humans.
The clip re-enacts the title sequence to a tee beginning with the camera zooming into a schoolroom to see a blonde Bart scribbling lines on the blackboard.
Simpson’s maker Matt Groening has approved the human version of the show’s opening credits to promote the brand new series.
Sky One will broadcast the promo as its viewers gear up for the The Simpson's 17th season which begins on March 20.
An insider said: 'We're really excited about it.
'We used regular actors, not so much for their resemblance - as you can't copy a bunch of yellow characters - but becuase you can easily identify with them.'
A balding actor plays Homer as he leaves work dropping some nuclear waste out of the window on the way home.
While a baby girl copies the scene where Maggie appears to be driving Marg’s car.
The opening montage ends with the whole family squeezed on the settee ready to watch the cartoon version of the show."
UpdateFilter: (sorry) Apparently, they are going to use the live action intro for this Sunday's Simpsons.
posted by dgaicun at 7:02 AM on March 24, 2006
posted by dgaicun at 7:02 AM on March 24, 2006
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posted by chudmonkey at 4:37 PM on March 4, 2006