1923, four brothers created an animation production company that would become a source of great inspiration and entertainment to millions. Albert, Harry, Sam and Jack Warner opened Warner Bros. Studios in 1923. A pivotal member of their team, Hugh Harman created Looney Tunes and Merrie melodies (1930/31). A few years after that, a handful of creative geniuses began a collaboration in a wrecked old building on the Warner Bros. lot they referred to as ‘Termite Terrace’. Starting out with Tex Avery, Chuck Jones, Bob Clampett, Mel Blanc and Robert Cannon, Termite Terrace grew to over two hundred creatives. During this time, Termite Terrace created comedy gold. At the time, short animations would be sold to move theatres in a package. This transaction was referred to as ‘Block Booking’. The animators had quite a lot of creative freedom and created stories, characters and situations that they wanted.
The aesthetic of Warner Bros. was quite opposite from the likes of Disney. Many of the animators at Warner Bros. either came from Disney studios or left to work there. The ‘Termite Terrace’ was a sharp, tongue in check and sarcastic contrast to the sweet, round and friendly appearance of Disney. Not to mention, the humour of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies typically had a dark or mean streak to it.
Because the prominent form of 2D animation at the time was hand crafted and painted on cels, Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons had a raw and scratchy aesthetic as well as angular and edgy shapes.
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YjvSo12xDU
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