Time Machine Rough Cut Stills

Time Machine editor Dave Hughes was gracious enough to share a rough cut of the episode with us. While the dialogue and storyline are identical to the finished version, this draft offers a fascinating glimpse into the show’s unique production pipeline.

For the uninitiated, an editor on Aqua Teen Hunger Force did much more than just cut scenes; they essentially functioned as storyboard artists. They crafted these rough assemblies to serve as the structural blueprint for the animators to follow.

While most of the shots are rather underwhelming - think characters on black backgrounds with basically zero animation - we do get some fun visuals here:

Frylock hard at work on a rough version of the time machine seen in the episode. Note the Gameboy Advance SP in Famicom colors as the keypad!

The time machine sometimes changes to the one as seen in Season 4's Party All The Time. (Thanks to supporter of the show Ian / Speedbeatz for reminding me which episode that asset was from!)

Doesn't look like Vegetable Man to me!

Dave mentioned in the episode that he likes Frylock's braces. I was surprised to see how much of the "sign language" was figured out in the animatic. 

A remote control we've never seen in the show, and a much longer shotgun than in the episode!

Year 8009 (AKA Carl's House) isn't as professional looking as the finished episode.

A similar version to the glasses seen in the finished episode.

Evidence of Willie Nelson not seen in the final version. I bet he'd be annoyed having to share his crib.

The generic exterminator gave me a chuckle!

Always love seeing Meatwad's toy walkie talkie.