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The Frame

Behind the scenes at 'The Simpsons' animation studio (plus that future couch gag)

By The Frame Staff
Published Sep 29, 2014
"The Simpsons" characters line one of the hallways inside the animation studios of the show in Burbank.
"The Simpsons" characters line one of the hallways inside the animation studios of the show in Burbank.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
Debbie Mahan is a character layout artist for "The Simpsons."
Debbie Mahan is a character layout artist for "The Simpsons."
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
David Silverman draws Homer in Photoshop at the "The Simpsons" animation studio in Burbank.
David Silverman draws Homer in Photoshop at the "The Simpsons" animation studio in Burbank.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
Figures of "The Simpsons" characters sit atop a book shelf in the offices for the show in Burbank.
Figures of "The Simpsons" characters sit atop a book shelf in the offices for the show in Burbank.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
Before converting to digital, folders contain sheets of drawings of models for characters in "The Simpsons."
Before converting to digital, folders contain sheets of drawings of models for characters in "The Simpsons."
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
Figurines of "The Simpsons" characters line the bookshelf of one work station at The Simpsons studio in Burbank.
Figurines of "The Simpsons" characters line the bookshelf of one work station at The Simpsons studio in Burbank.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
Sketches of various scenes on the wall of an animators cubicle at The Simpsons studio in Burbank.
Sketches of various scenes on the wall of an animator's cubicle at "The Simpsons" studio in Burbank.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
David Silverman, a director and producer of "The Simpsons," draws in his office at the show's animation studios in Burbank.
David Silverman, a director and producer of "The Simpsons," draws in his office at the show's animation studios in Burbank.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
The animation studio for "The Simpsons" is in Burbank, but two studios in Korea touch up much of the work to make it consistent with the models of the characters.
The animation studio for "The Simpsons" is in Burbank, but two studios in Korea touch up much of the work to make it consistent with the models of the characters.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
Eli Balser colors a scene from an upcoming episode of "The Simpsons."
Eli Balser colors a scene from an upcoming episode of "The Simpsons."
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
One of the cubicles at the animation studio for "The Simpsons" in Burbank.
One of the cubicles at the animation studio for "The Simpsons" in Burbank.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
Sketches on the walls of a conference room depict different characters in "The Simpsons."
Sketches on the walls of a conference room depict different characters in "The Simpsons."
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
An icon from "The Simpsons" comes to life in the form of an energy drink.
An icon from "The Simpsons" comes to life in the form of an energy drink.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
An animator's work station at the studio in Burbank.
An animator's work station at the studio in Burbank.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
Various decorations adorn the work stations at "The Simpsons" production studio in Burbank.
Various decorations adorn the work stations at "The Simpsons" production studio in Burbank.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
Post-it notes with sketches line the wall of Tuan Nguyen's work station at "The Simpsons" studio in Burbank.
Post-it notes with sketches line the wall of Tuan Nguyen's work station at "The Simpsons" studio in Burbank.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
Drawings depict one part of the animation process for "The Simpsons" at the studio in Burbank.
Drawings depict one part of the animation process for "The Simpsons" at the studio in Burbank.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
Stuffed Homers sit atop a bookshelf at the animation studios of "The Simpsons" in Burbank.
Stuffed Homers sit atop a bookshelf at the animation studios of "The Simpsons" in Burbank.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)
An animator's cubicle at "The Simpsons" studio in Burbank.
An animator's cubicle at "The Simpsons" studio in Burbank.
(
Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC
)

About the Show

A daily chronicle of creativity in film, TV, music, arts, and entertainment, produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from November 2014 – March 2020. Host John Horn leads the conversation, accompanied by the nation's most plugged-in cultural journalists.

Listen 4:14
Behind the scenes at 'The Simpsons' animation studio (plus that future couch gag)

"The Simpsons" premiered its 26th season on Sunday — an anniversary worthy of cracking open some Duff beers and downing a Squishee. To mark the occasion, our friends at Vulture combed through the quarter-century of seasons to create the definitive list of "The 100 Best 'Simpsons' Episodes."

This will be a handy guide when the entire "Simpsons" oeuvre becomes available soon via an FX mobile app. According to one early anticipator at Quartz, Simpsons World could change your life — or keep you distracted for hours.

The Frame's John Horn spoke with Vulture's 

about some of his favorite "Simpsons" episodes.

And we sent KPCC's photojournalist Benjamin Brayfield to visit "The Simpsons" animation studio in Burbank to photograph where the magic happens.

In this slideshow we go inside the yellow halls and cluttered work stations to see the creative spaces of those who draw "The Simpsons."

(And, in case you missed it, here's that weird futuristic couch gag from Sunday's season premiere,  from Oscar-nominated filmmaker and animator Don Hertzfeldt.) 

Sunday's couch gag