Fans of HBO’s Succession might have heard the term “Hanna-Barbera business school” in one of the episodes. But what does it mean, and what can you learn from it? We will explore the history and legacy of Hanna-Barbera, a legendary animation studio that produced some of the most iconic cartoons ever. We will also share some tips and lessons on applying their creative and business strategies to your career and ventures.
What is Hanna-Barbera?
Hanna-Barbera was an American animation studio founded by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera in 1957. The duo had previously worked together at MGM, creating the famous Tom and Jerry series. After MGM closed its animation department, Hanna and Barbera decided to start their own company, focusing on producing cartoons for television.
Hanna-Barbera was one of the first studios to use limited animation, a technique that reduced the number of drawings and movements per scene, making production faster and cheaper. This allowed them to create more content and meet the high demand for TV cartoons. Some of their most popular shows include The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, Yogi Bear, The Smurfs, and many more.
Hanna-Barbera was also known for its distinctive style and humor, which appealed to children and adults. Their cartoons often featured catchy theme songs, memorable characters, witty dialogue, slapstick comedy, and social satire. They also experimented with different genres and formats, such as action-adventure, musicals, live-action hybrids, and educational programs.
Hanna-Barbera was a dominant force in the animation industry for over four decades, winning seven Academy Awards, eight Emmy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. The studio was acquired by Turner Broadcasting System in 1991, and later by Warner Bros. in 1996. Today, many of their characters and franchises are still popular and influential in pop culture.
What is Hanna-Barbera business school?
Hanna-Barbera business school is a joke by Lukas Matsson in the Succession season 4 episode. Matsson is the CEO of GoJo, a tech company that wants to buy Waystar Royco, the media conglomerate owned by the Roy family. In the episode, Matsson meets Kendall and Roman Roy, who try to sabotage the deal by using various tricks and lies. Matsson gets frustrated and asks them if they learned their shady tactics at “Hanna-Barbera business school”.
The joke implies that Kendall and Roman’s plans are cartoonish and ridiculous, just like some of the plots and characters in Hanna-Barbera’s shows. It also suggests that they are not very smart or sophisticated in their business skills, unlike Matsson, a tech genius and billionaire.
The joke is funny because it references a well-known animation studio unrelated to business or education. It also mocks Kendall and Roman’s incompetence and immaturity, often displayed throughout the series.
What can you learn from Hanna-Barbera?
While Hanna-Barbera business school might not be a real or reputable institution, there are some valuable lessons that you can learn from Hanna-Barbera’s success story. Here are some of them:
- Be creative and innovative. Hanna-Barbera was able to create original and diverse content that appealed to a wide audience. They also adapted to the changing trends and technologies in the industry, such as color TV, cable TV, video games, and merchandising.
- Be efficient and resourceful. Hanna-Barbera was able to produce more cartoons with less time and money by using limited animation. They also reused assets and recycled stories across different shows.
- Be collaborative and supportive. Hanna-Barbera was a team effort that involved many talented artists, writers, directors, producers, voice actors, musicians, and technicians. They also fostered a friendly, fun work environment that encouraged creativity and loyalty.
- Be passionate and persistent. Their love for animation and storytelling drove Hanna-Barbera. They also faced many challenges and obstacles, such as competition, censorship, lawsuits, mergers, and acquisitions. But they never gave up on their vision and legacy.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Hanna-Barbera:
Q: When did Hanna-Barbera close?
A: Hanna-Barbera officially closed in 2001, when Warner Bros. absorbed its operations into its animation division. However, some of its shows continued to be produced under different names or studios until 2006.
Q: What happened to Hanna-Barbera’s characters and franchises?
A: Many of Hanna-Barbera’s characters and franchises are still owned by Warner Bros., which has produced various spin-offs, reboots, remakes, movies, comics, games, and merchandise based on them. Some examples are Scoob!, The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown!, Tom and Jerry: The Movie, and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.
Q: Where can I watch Hanna-Barbera’s cartoons?
A: You can watch many of Hanna-Barbera’s cartoons on streaming platforms such as HBO Max, Boomerang, and YouTube. You can buy or rent them on DVD, Blu-ray, or digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and Google Play.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hanna-Barbera was an animation studio that produced some of the most iconic cartoons ever. Their shows were creative, humorous, and influential in pop culture. Their success was also based on efficiency, collaboration, passion, and persistence. While Hanna-Barbera business school might be a joke in Succession, there are some valuable lessons that you can learn from Hanna-Barbera’s history and legacy.
