Phineas Flynn

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Not to be confused with Phineas Finn.
For other uses of "Phineas", see Phineas (disambiguation).

Template:Infobox Disney character Phineas Flynn is a fictional main character from the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. Voiced by Vincent Martella and created and designed by Dan Povenmire, Phineas first appeared along with the rest of the series' main characters in the pilot episode "Rollercoaster." Phineas, along with his stepbrother Ferb Fletcher, is the protagonist of the series, starring in each A-Plot of every episode.

The series concerns Phineas's attempts to avoid boredom by finding something new to do every day of the summer vacation.[1] He does this with his less-talkative stepbrother Ferb,[2] and often with many other neighborhood children. The activities they devise usually involve outlandish contraptions, including roller coasters,[3] haunted houses,[4] and roller rinks,[5] which Phineas designs and Ferb builds.[3]

Phineas comes from a blended family. The creators chose this arrangement because they considered it underused in children's programming as well as from Marsh's past experiences in one.[6] As a character, Phineas has received a positive critical response, with one reviewer describing him and his brother as a "comical pairing." [7] Phineas appears in Phineas and Ferb merchandise, including plush toys[8], t-shirts[9], and a video game.[10]

Role in Phineas and Ferb

Phineas is part of a blended family, a decision creator Marsh made to reflect his own experiences growing up.[6] Phineas's birth father is not present or discussed in the series. It is established that his mother, Linda Flynn-Fletcher married Ferb's father, Lawrence Fletcher, after meeting him at a 1990s concert by the (fictitious) band Love Händel.[11]

Phineas is portrayed as a selfless, intelligent, and creative child. As a means to beat boredom, he and his brother devise outrageous activities throughout their summer vacation,[1] often participating in activities – toy design (in "Toy to the World")[12]; piracy (in "The Ballad of Badbeard")[13]; engineering (in "It's About Time!")[14]; restaurant management (in "Chez Platypus")[15] – usually inaccessible to children. Phineas lives in the fictional town of Danville, in a large, suburban neighborhood;[16] he comes up with most of his ideas while sitting with Ferb in his backyard.[17]

Character

Creation and conception

Dan Povenmire originally drew Phineas on a piece of butcher paper in South Pasadena, California.[18]

Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh had conceived the idea of the Phineas and Ferb series while working as layout artists on The Simpsons. After planning the basics of the show, the two began laying out characters. Povenmire, eating dinner with his family at a Wild Thyme restaurant in South Pasadena, California, drew a quick sketch of a "triangle kid."[18] Povenmire named the triangle doodle "Phineas," saying he "look[ed] like [one]",[19] and with reference to the character Phileas Fogg (often misreferenced as "Phineas Fogg") from Around the World in 80 Days.[20] Povenmire tore the paper out and called Marsh that night, telling him "Hey, I think we have our show."[21]

After designing the show, the two had significant difficulties getting the series green lit. It was not picked up for sixteen years.[22] In their final pitch to the Walt Disney Company, the creators designed a recorded storyboard, featuring a very rough outline of characters. The prototype Phineas was ruder to others than the version in the eventual show,[17] where the creators decided to make him more kind.[23] Citing comedy's "big duos" including Wallace and Gromit and Jay and Silent Bob, the creators chose to give Phineas most of the dialogue while Ferb remains almost silent.[6]

Design

Outline of Phineas' head design.

All characters in Phineas and Ferb were drawn in a design borrowed from Tex Avery's style, with geometric shapes being included in their structure; Phineas in particular is that of a triangle.[18] The triangle face has been stated in the series as being just his nose that covers the entire head.[24] The goal while drawing characters was to make them simple enough to be drawn by child viewers and be recognized by silhouette.[20] Phineas's eyes lie on the top of his head[25] and are of oval shape.[26] For his hair, three "tufts" are put in the back and front, while three freckles lie underneath. For the ear, a small 3 is used to represent the ear lobe.[25][26] Povenmire uses thin, spindly arms for every character as a simple reason to add fun.[25]

Voice

Young actor Vincent Martella, previously known for The CW series Everybody Hates Chris,[27] was cast for the role of Phineas.[28] Martella originally auditioned for the role five months before his initial pickup, but was left without feedback for the time. When Dan Povenmire was given a tape of Martella in Everybody Hates Chris, he called him to do Phineas for the pilot.[27] He designed a different voice then his own which he describes as "wacky [and] crazy." The creators were afraid of him losing it when his voice changed, though he was still able to use it even afterward.[29]

While in recording sessions, Martella has a large amount of enthusiasm and describes it as humorous to watch him while doing a take.[29] In interviews Martella has said that he enjoys working on the series and voicing Phineas, and appreciates the opportunity to work alongside guest stars, especially Malcolm McDowell.[28]

Martella once wrote as an article for Popstar! Magazine his thoughts on the role and of the show itself:

The greatest thing about being on Phineas so far is that I can get my parents to laugh! We all sat down to see the beach episode on New Years Eve! Once I saw all the adults laughing along with me and my 10-year-old brother, that was the greatest thing in the world to me!

— Martella[30]

Hallmarks

Phineas and Ferb makes liberal use of running gags, and Phineas has several recurrent lines that feature in most episodes. During the course of an adventure, Phineas is generally asked by a disbelieving adult if he isn't "a little young to be..." part of whatever occupation he is currently carrying out.[1] For example, while constructing a shrine to his sister on the face of Mount Rushmore, a park ranger asks him "Aren't you boys a little young to be restoring a natural monument?"[31] Phineas generally answers "Yes, yes I am," though on a few occasions has responded "No"[32] or "Well, I don't think so."[12]

In every episode Phineas and Ferb's pet platypus, Perry, disappears to carry out his job as a secret agent. Phineas almost always notices this, asking "Hey, where's Perry?" Discussing Perry, creator Povenmire cited the example of his own pet cat, Sprocket, which he claimed led a "secret life" with his neighbors in order to get extra food.[22]

Personality

His [Phineas] confidence makes people think, "He must be a prodigy." Nobody ever asks him if he's too young. He'd never lie to an adult or try to get away with anything. He's just motivated by fun. If he thought mom would actually dislike the things they're doing, he would probably stop, but since he's never gotten in trouble for it, he doesn't think of it as getting into trouble.

—Dan Povenmire in an interview with Animation Magazine.[1]

Phineas is portrayed as being an intelligent, fun-loving, and confident child.[1] The Disney Channel promos for Phineas and Ferb describe him as someone who "thinks big", refusing to let any day be ordinary.[33] Povenmire also characterizes him as confident, someone so secure in his abilities that others assume he is a prodigy. Povenmire and Marsh wanted the series to reflect their own childhood memories of going out during the summer and have fun, digging trenches and building tunnels, forts, and tree houses.[1]

File:PhineasGuitarRacing.jpg
The creators wanted Phineas to do his activities for fun and be confident.[1] Here, he is playing the guitar while racing the episode "The Fast and the Phineas."

The creators wanted Phineas, like Ferb, to be a character who would never "[do] anything with any animosity," or to agitate his sister or outsmart his mother purposely. Instead, the character was supposed to be motivated only by enjoyment and free from meanspiritedness.[1][23] He is generous and optimistic, and is shown several times helping out others. He tries to please his sister Candace, carving her face into Mount Rushmore for her birthday in one episode[31] and helping her retrieve a tape detailing his summer adventures.[34] Another episode has him throwing an extravaganza for his mother's birthday.[35] He has also been shown helping his grandparents, reenacting his Grandfather Reginald's daredevil stunt from his youth[36] and setting up a roller derby for a rematch race with his Grandmother Betty Jo's old rival.[5] In the episodes "One Good Scare Ought to Do It!" and "Hail Doofania" Phineas goes to great lengths to help his friend Isabella. [4][37] Other episodes, like "Unfair Science Fair" and "Oil on Candace," further explore Phineas's generosity toward all of his friends.[38][39]

On other occasions, though, Phineas's adventures have upset others, intentionally or otherwise. Candace is usually frustrated in her efforts to "bust" her brothers,[23] and in rare cases Phineas has deliberately caused misfortune to others. In the episode "Get That Bigfoot Outta My Face," Phineas intentionally gives all the kids at camp a fright when he tricks them into thinking Bigfoot is attacking.[40]

Nonetheless, Povenmire and Marsh intended for Phineas and Ferb to be motivated only by fun.[1] In one episode, "Thaddeus and Thor", Phineas says that fun is his only goal in his daily schemes – though Ferb adds that they also do it "for the ladies."[41] Phineas also says that he wants his adventures to give him something interesting to say when he gets back to school,[3] a setting the creators have confirmed they will never put him in.[42]

Reception

Phineas has received mostly positive reviews. Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media describes Phineas as "boisterous," and he and Ferb as "partner[s] in crime."[7] Susan Stewart, reviewing the show in the New York Times, notes that Phineas and Ferb "work on a heroic scale and are apparently not limited by the laws of nature."[43] Jean Yoo describes him as a "a precocious bundle of energy whose tolerance for sitting still is just a little thinner than his patience for the social echelon in which he finds himself." She as well notes that he is "endearing and smart."[44]

Variety calls Phineas's adventures "spectacular."[45] Animation Insider reporter Aaron Bynum described him as a "wiz kid idea machine."[46] The song "Ain't Got Rhythm," which Vincent Martella performed in the voice of Phineas alongside Steve Zahn and Thomas Sangster in the episode "Dude, We're Getting the Band Back Together," was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2008 for "Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics."[47]

In other media

Besides the series Phineas and Ferb, Phineas has featured in several other pieces of merchandise from the series. To date, he has appeared in all Phineas and Ferb novelizations, published by Disney Press.[48][49][50][51] Phineas appears in the Nintendo DS video game based on the series, simply titled Phineas and Ferb.[10] Dan Povenmire has said that he saw nothing of the game until its release, on which he was given a copy for free.[6]

Plush toys of the character, along with toys representing Ferb and Perry, have been manufactured.[8] Phineas also appears on most of the Phineas and Ferb t-shirts.[9] Phineas is set to appear in the forthcoming comic book series based on the series, though details are unconfirmed.[6] Phineas and his brother Ferb have as well both been referenced in the book Lost and Found: How Churches Are Connecting to Young Adults as examples of how media and television characters can be influential in people's lives.[52]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Strike, Joe. "From Swampy & Dan Emerges Phineas and Ferb", Page 1". Animation World Magazine.
  2. ^ Writers: Bobby Gaylor, Martin Olson; Director: Dan Povenmire. "A Hard Days Knight". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 10. Disney Channel.
  3. ^ a b c Writers: Dan Povenmire, Jeff "Swampy" Marsh; Directors: Dan Povenmire. "Rollercoaster". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 1. Disney Channel. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help)
  4. ^ a b Writers: Antoine Guilbaud, Chong Lee; Director: Zac Moncrief. "One Good Scare Ought to Do It!". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 9. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help)
  5. ^ a b Writers: Tim Bjorklund, Kim Roberson. "Crack That Whip!". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 18. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e Dan Povenmire, Jeff "Swampy" Marsh. "The Geek Dads" Podcast interview with Povenmire & Marsh.
  7. ^ a b Ashby, Emily. "Phineas and Ferb television review". Common Sense Media.
  8. ^ a b "Amazon.com - Phineas and Ferb toys". Retrieved July 9, 2009.
  9. ^ a b "Phineas and Ferb shirts". Stylinonline.com.
  10. ^ a b "Phineas and Ferb :: DS Game Review". Kidzworld. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  11. ^ Writers: Bobby Gaylor, Martin Olson; Director: Dan Povenmire. "Dude, We're Getting Band Back Together". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 14. Disney Channel.
  12. ^ a b Writers: Martin Olson, Bobby Gaylor, Chong Lee, Mike Diederich; Director: Dan Povenmire, Zac Moncrief. "Toy to the World". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 8 (P.2). {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help)
  13. ^ Director: Dan Povenmire. "The Ballad of Badbeard". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 13 (P.2). {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help)
  14. ^ Writer and Director: Dan Povenmire. "It's About Time!". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |episode= ignored (help)
  15. ^ Writers: Antoine Guilbaud, Kim Roberson; Director: Zac Moncrief. "Chez Platypus". Phineas and Ferb. Season 2. {{cite episode}}: Text "number 5 (P.2)" ignored (help)
  16. ^ Writer: Bobby Gaylor, Martin Olson;Director: Zac Moncrief. "Leave the Busting to Us!". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 17 (P.2). {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help)
  17. ^ a b Dan Povenmire, Jeff "Swampy" Marsh (2008). Phineas and Ferb volume one featurette "Original Pitch" (DVD). Disney.
  18. ^ a b c Strike, Joe. "From Swampy & Dan Emerges Phineas and Ferb", Page 3". Animation World Magazine.
  19. ^ Povenmire, Dan. Vincent @ Comic Con 2008. MSN TV News. {{cite AV media}}: Unknown parameter |date2= ignored (help)
  20. ^ a b Galas, Marjorie. "Phineas and Ferb: Music, Mischief, And The Endless Summer Vacation". 411 News.
  21. ^ Bond, Paul. (7 June, 2009). "Q&A: Dan Povenmire". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2009-07-31. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ a b Perez, Lauren (May 12, 2008). "USC dropout makes it big in animation". Daily Trojan.
  23. ^ a b c Strike, Joe. "From Swampy & Dan Emerges Phineas and Ferb", Page 2". Animation World Magazine.
  24. ^ Writers: Dan Povenmire, Jeff "Swampy" Marsh; Directors: Dan Povenmire. "Raging Bully". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Disney Channel. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help)
  25. ^ a b c "Memorial Day Marathon" (PDF). Retrieved July 9, 2009.
  26. ^ a b H., Carly (June 22, 2009). "Drawing Phineas and Ferb with Swampy and Dan". Scholastic. Retrieved July 9, 2009.
  27. ^ a b "Jeffrey Wright Admits Waters Role Giving Him that Panicky Feeling". National Ledger. February 1, 2008.
  28. ^ a b Martella, Vincent (August 9, 2008). "Vincent @ Comic Con 2008". MSN TV News.
  29. ^ a b Katz, Nikki (April 3, 2009). "Vincent Martella Talks About His Phineas Voice!". Junior Celebs (transcript from Popstar! Magazine). {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  30. ^ "Pop Talk!". Retrieved July 9, 2009.
  31. ^ a b Writers: Kyle Baker, Patrick Ventura; Director: Dan Povenmire. Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 1 (P.2). {{cite episode}}: Text "Candace Loses Her Head" ignored (help)
  32. ^ Writers: Sherm Cohen, Antoine Guillbaud; Director: Dan Povenmire. "Flop Starz". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 4 (P. 2). {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help)
  33. ^ Phineas and Ferb Promo - Meet Phineas. Disney Channel. {{cite AV media}}: Unknown parameter |date2= ignored (help)
  34. ^ Writers: Kim Roberson, Marc Ceccarelli; Directors: Dan Povenmire, Zac Moncrief. "Traffic Cam Caper". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |episode= ignored (help)
  35. ^ Director: Zac Moncrief. "Mom's Birthday". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 11. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help)
  36. ^ "The Flying Fishmonger". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 15. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help)
  37. ^ Writers: Antoine Guilbaud, Aliki Theofilopoulos; Director: Zac Moncrief. "Hail Doofana!". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 26 (P.2). {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help)
  38. ^ "Unfair Science Fair". Phineas and Ferb. Episode 23. {{cite episode}}: Text "season 1 & 2" ignored (help)
  39. ^ Writers: Antoine Guilbaud, Aliki Theofilopoulis; Director: Zac Moncrief. "Oil on Candace". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 22 (P. 2). {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help)
  40. ^ Director: Zac Moncrief. "Get That Bigfoot Outta My Face!". Phineas and Ferb. Season 1. Episode 6. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help)
  41. ^ Writers: Antoine Guilbaud, Kim Roberson; Director: Zac Moncrief. "Thaddeus and Thor". Phineas and Ferb. Season 2. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |channel= ignored (help)
  42. ^ Dan Povenmire. Piper's Pick #32. Piper's Pick TV.
  43. ^ Stewart, Susan (February 1, 2008). "New York Times reviews Phineas and Ferb and George of the Jungle".
  44. ^ Yoo, Jean. "Phineas and Ferb Show Description". Disney Channel Medianet. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  45. ^ Lowry, Brian (January 31, 2008). "Phineas and Ferb Review". Variety.
  46. ^ Bynum, Aaron (2008-07-30). "Disney's 'Phineas and Ferb' Animation on DVD". Animation Insider. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  47. ^ "Phineas and Ferb awards". Internet Movie Database.
  48. ^ Jones, Jasmine (2009). Speed Demons. Disney Press. ISBN 1423116283.
  49. ^ Bergen, Lara Rice (2009). Runaway Hit. Disney Press. ISBN 1423117972.
  50. ^ Mayer, Helena. Wild Surprise. ISBN 978-1423117988.
  51. ^ Richards, Kittie. Thrill-o-rama. ISBN 978-1423117995.
  52. ^ Stetzer, Ed; Stanley, Richie; Hayes, Jason. Lost and Found: How Churches Are Connecting to Young Adults. p. 183.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

External links

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