I’m very excited that, as a Peanuts Brand Ambassador, I have the pleasure this month of introducing you to Ron Smith of Technicolor. Ron has worked on the Peanuts specials in three different jobs: first at CBS, which was airing the Peanuts series at the tim, then at Paramount, which was distributing the show at the time.
During our interview, he gave us exclusive insights into the cutting-edge technology of 4k scanning and finishing that’s making our beloved 50-year-old Peanuts classic look as fresh and clean as the day it was created. That means you’ll see a richer image that’s closer to the original film than any previous digital version of the special.
There are more pixels per inch, so the picture quality is better than ever before on any television screen. Peanuts is a pioneer of this technology, which “future-proofs” A Charlie Brown Christmas and the other Peanuts specials for the day when ultra-high-definition TVs are the standard in every household. And the soundtrack has been cleaned and restored, too, providing the perfect sound for home theaters.
Here is what Ron had to say about what you can expect to see in the new Peanuts picture quality:
From the viewer’s point of view, what’s the first thing we’ll notice now that the special is in 4K?
That it actually fits on your widescreen television! The picture is now designed for that screen. All the other presentations are designed for the old 4×3 screens.
You’ll also notice the soundtrack and music have been upgraded for modern viewing: it’s in stereo surround 5.1 We’re lucky that the original negative exists for these shows, and all the original soundtracks and magnetic tracks. We were able to go in, separate those tracks, and clean them up, along with the sound effects. You’ll get that nice stereo music in your surround speakers. So the special not only looks better, but sounds more current, too.
Is there any scene in particular where we’ll notice the difference?
When I watch one of the shows at home, everything looks kind of small. Particularly any of the group scenes, the skating in the beginning, the rehearsal scenes for the Christmas play, they all look kind of distant. Now you’ll be able to see it much more clearly.
Where do you start when you’re doing this work?
Like any good project, you have to start with research. There’s a lot of information to be had out there. I was amazed to find how many websites there are devoted to the show. I found everything from show listings, descriptions, and some downright fanatical—meaning, created by big fans—analyses of each episode.
Some of it was just cataloguing all the shows. Of the 80 or 90 shows that have been done, 55 of the titles contain “Charlie Brown,” and 14 of them start with the word “It’s.” When you’re working on 10 or 20 at the same time—and when the first two you’re working on are Christmas shows—it gets really confusing! So we knew we were going to have to be really careful with the elements.
We have the original film elements on A Charlie Brown Christmas. Since this is priceless and irreplaceable art, we do a film inspection to see if it needs to be repaired. There may be cement splices in it, and when the show is 50 years old, those splices can come loose and appear a little bit jagged. So we make sure the show is completely repaired. We check for any obvious wear and tear, and make sure that the film will hold up going through a scanner. That’s how we digitize it. Each frame becomes a digital data file, and each one needs to be cleaned and color-corrected.
This also happens with the sound. You take the analog or magnetic soundtrack and digitize it. The first thing is we take out the snap, crackle, and pop, and clean up the individual tracks, then recombine them to make the restored version.
The scanner also takes a picture of the surface dirt on each frame, so we can figure out where it is, which makes it easier to clean and restore. And there was a lot of dirt.
What are some of the dos and don’ts of restoring classic animation?
Is there a danger that it can it look “too good,” so you lose the charm of the hand-drawn originals? There are some classic mistakes. It can look too sharp or over-enhanced. With the Charlie Brown stuff, you have to embrace the original look. The picture changes from frame to frame. You’ve got to realize you can’t fix everything. You’ve basically got to take the show as a whole, not nitpick it, then go back and smooth it out.
We were lucky to have the original artwork, the original cels, so we could see what the original colors were for characters and what they wore. Everyone in Peanuts family has been involved in this in some way, and they’ve been very helpful.
How important is it for classic animation to be restored?
For every film that gets restored, there are 1,000 that haven’t been restored. There’s always an underlying race-the-clock mentality that’s associated with preservation. So many films have been lost and so many are at risk. Particularly with shows like this, we want our kids and our kids’ kids to experience the same things we did.
Separate from your professional experience, are you personally a fan of Peanuts and A Charlie Brown Christmas?
Coincidentally, I am. I know I’m not alone. It’s probably my favorite Christmas show, no doubt. If the Linus scene doesn’t get you all choked up, then nothing will. My kids like it, and my daughter has a child who just turned 5, and she loves it. I’ll take her for a ride in my car and play the soundtrack, and when the picture comes up on the player, she’s in heaven. It just makes it that much more special that I can re-experience it through their eyes.
One of the things that really struck me when we started working on it here at Technicolor was that I discovered I wasn’t the only one with special relationship to the material. The colorists here, grown men and women, were fighting over the project. That’s how fondly it’s remembered by so many people.
I really enjoyed learning about the restoration process from Ron and I could tell that it was a project that he felt very invested in. I’m so excited that a whole new generation will have the opportunity to enjoy this family classic in all of its new, modern glory!
Let’s Discuss: What do you think about being able to view the Peanuts classic now that it is remastered and in ultra-high-definition?
GIVEAWAY:
Our Sponsor is giving away a Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine to create a refreshingly icy treat with just one cube and a few turns of the handle to one reader of Tough Cookie Mommy!a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: This post is part of a blogging campaign as a Peanuts 50 Years on TV Brand Ambassador. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
© 2014, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
I like the idea of it being restored. I grew up with these movies and they bring back great memories.
I do think it was a great idea. I remember watches this when I was very young.
I think it is important to somehow preserve the classics for future generations–Peanuts and Charlie Brown certainly fit in that category. I am sitting here thinking about how the shows I watched 60 or so years ago are still favorites-does that tell you something?
I love it! It’s something that I watched as a kid that I can share with my kids. The best part about it is that it is in better quality.
It’s great that they remastered it. I loved this show as a kid.
I think it is wonderful Peanuts is being restored-loved watching Peanuts and charlie Brown with my kids
I look forward to seeing it in 4k. That is until 8k becomes the standard…
I’m holding out an opinion until I see it. I wonder if the nostalgia of it will be gone. I might love it, but I might love the original.
I think it would be wonderful to get to see these classic in updated form! I think the kids would be more interested in them this way, too.
I just saw that Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine at Walmart last night. My son said to me, I want that. I think the remastering will get the younger generation back into wanting to watch Peanuts.
this sounds like a cool idea and cant to see the restored version. Peanuts is an iconic brand and needs to be maintained.
When I first learned of the new, re-mastered Peanuts collection, I thought No! don’t mess with this beloved classic. Now after reading Mr. Smith’s answers to some of my concerns about keeping the look and feel on point, I’d love to see them.
i think it’s awesome, it’s still the same great cartoons. i love sharing them with my daughter.
I think it’s great fun! I used to watch when I was a little girl and it’s wonderful to get to experience it again with my own children.
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I think it is great. I Love watching this show as a kid and still do as an adult especially with my kids. The picture quality can only get better.
I liked it when it wasn’t remastered, so I’m guessing I’ll love it even more now. It’s still got that nostalgia value, every time you see Snoopy come across a screen, doesn’t it?? 🙂
As long as the content and the stories are good that’s all i really care about. I’d much rather have a good story with old graphics than a poor story with great graphics
I loved it when i was younger.I watch it now with my children now and they love it too! I absolutely love snoopy.
I think it is fantastic because it is something I would love to watch with my children.
I love that the Peanuts classics have been remastered! They are so fun to watch with the family. It’s something we look forward to every year.
How fun.. we love the Peanuts… we even have our very own Snoopy, Charlie and woodstock (our Fur babies) at home.. we are that much in love with the Peanuts..hahah.. great post.. thanks for sharing
I love the peanuts gang, I think its great that the original TV shows are being remade in HD.
I am happy they were not put up on a shelf and forgotten like the old Mickey Mouse. I want my grandchiildrens children to be able to see Snoopy and how he used his imagination to turn his dog house into an airplane.
Ohmygosh, I haven’t gotten to see it in “ultra-HD” yet, but HONESTLY CANNOT WAIT. I know what we’ll be doing this holiday break… 😉 & the snow cone maker would help make it even more “ultra-“perfect!
I think it will be great to see an old classic even better. Thanks for the great giveaway! DamianMom at yahoo dot com
I think it is great to see the old classic peanuts videos/movies in better quality
I use to love watching it myself so really like the idea and good that my kids can watch it too
I Have Enjoyed Watching The Classic Peanuts So I Think It Will Be Fun To See It In High Definition. Super Fun!
I always loved watching Snoopy so I think the remastered version would be fun to watch.
I think I like things the way they were when I was a child not perfect but it was the way I remember
I cant wait to share the remastered version with my grandkids. Even though they have hundreds of Christmas shows to choose from compared to our 4 or 5 when I was young I think they should watch the classics.
They are fun to watch with the family. It’s something we look forward to every year.
Peanuts are such a classic. Being able to view them in high definition is going to be a real treat.
I will enjoy wearing them.
I loved it before, so what’s not to love now? The Peanuts specials were the ones I waited for as a kid.
Love them even more. I am one of the biggest Peanuts fans around
I think its amazing because Charlie brown is SO classic. We used to love to watch peanuts as kids (me and my little sister)
Oh I am so excited for this! I loved watching Peanuts growing up and will be wonderful to see the restored one!!! Carter I think is at the perfect age to fall in love with Peanuts just like I did as a child!
I loved Charlie Brown growing up; Snoopy was my favorite. I think it’s awesome that they are restored for my kids to enjoy.
I think that it is so cool that they are doing that! I have always loved Charlie Brown! Such a fun and safe show!
I think that preserving and restoring historic and memorable items is a great thing. Charlie Brown will remain in many people’s hearts.
I think that these features are treasured and bringing them to HD once enhances the viewing of the shows.
I think it’ll be nice to see it done all fancy!
they just did it to I LOVE LUCY
I love Peanuts so I am super excited to see it remastered. It will be fun to watch something I loved so much with my kids. Thanks for the awesome giveaway and Happy Holidays 🙂
Renee
fattybumpkins at yahoo dot com
I think it would be really neat to see it remastered. This is a great classic that needs to carry on to future generations.
I love the idea. I am a big fan of the Peanuts Charlie Brown, and being able to share that with my sons is great. Even though they make fun of the cartoons I grew up with lol
I think it’s wonderful. Peanuts is a childhood favorite of mine and it’s nice to know that it will be seen by many more generations.
I think it would be great to watch the remastered version this holiday season.
I can not wait to see it remastered, when I was growing up I watched all the holiday specials, snoopy has always been one of my favorites.
I think it’s great! It’s been s long since I’ve seen it and I would love to watch it again.
I am looking forward to it remastered for my kids generation to love