The Filmation panel at the San Diego Comic-Con 2012 focused on the discussion of Lou Scheimer’s career and his significant contributions to the industry. In attendance were Lou Scheimer (in his final convention appearance), Tom Tataranowicz, Darrell McNeil, Buzz Dickson and Sid Haig, with Andy Mangels moderating. The panelists spoke about their own Filmation memories and the upcoming book written by Scheimer and Mangels, which will be available on September 26, 2012.
Mangels began by introducing the panel, singling out Tom Tataranowicz as one of the best directors Filmation ever had. Before going further, Gary Sassaman, Comic-Con International’s Director of Print and Publications presented Lou Scheimer with the Inkpot Award, an achievement award given to some of Comic-Con’s guests and also members of Comic-Con’s committee and Board of Directors.
Andy Mangels told the audience he had been working for the last five years on Lou Scheimer: The Filmation Generation with Scheimer. He called it Scheimer’s autobiography, but also the history of television animation and this history of Filmation Studios and all of the innovations Filmation brought to animation and our lives. He added that Scheimer is battling Parkinson’s to let them know that there might be moments where he might not recall details, but that the panelists would fill in because they’re all Filmation fans. He also promised several pictures, some of them never seen before, that the panelists would talk about, followed by a screening of a never-before-seen Filmation cartoon.
The first pictures shown were from the 1960’s: one of Lou Scheimer with Norm Prescott and Hal Sutherland, and another of Lou laying across a couch that was used in a Holiday card, as well as one of Lou as a baby. He displayed a picture of the original Filmation Studios, and the “25 Years of Filmation” Poster, which according to Mangels has every character the studio had ever done. Next up was a slide of the original end credits with Scheimer’s name on top. Mangels said this bothered Norm Prescott, which prompted them to come up with the style most viewers are familiar with where the names spin around in a circle. It frustrated Lou that Norm’s name always ended up on top, but Scheimer added, “He paid for it!”
