My Favorite Animators (well some of them)
John Weldon The main reason I love the National Film Board of Canada- his claim to fame is the Oscar winner “Special Delivery”. Many Canadian kids remember his very cute short “The Log Driver’s Waltz” from their younger years. I love that dark humor that’s in “Special Delivery too, though- so whether you remember “The Log Driver’s Waltz” or love black humor, look up “To Be” (my personal fave) or “The Lump”. Recyclomation rules!
Adam Elliot This Australian won an Oscar for “Harvie Krumpet”, which I ironically haven’t seen yet (shame on me). I love his ability to see the humor and poignancy in everyday things, and in lonely people on society’s fringe. Do seek out his trilogy, of shorts,”Uncle”, “Cousin”, and “Brother”, and his feature length film “Mary and Max”. Be sure to have a tissue box handy, though.
Don Hertzfeldt We all know “Rejected”, and it’s great. But next time you’re on Youtube, check out “Everything Will be Ok”, “Lily and Jim”, “The Meaning of Life”, and his bumpers for the Animation Show. They won’t disappoint- his range is astounding and there’s far more to the man than “I AM A BANANA LOL RANDOM”. (Though admittedly, I am the LOLRANDOM type myself.) I highly recommend that last one to “Rejected” fans.
Bill Plympton And no, I don’t love this guy just because he’s related to Martha Plimpton.(That’s pretty cool though!) I haven’t seen all his movies yet, but it’s hard not to totally be in awe of someone who can ANIMATE EVERY FRAME OF A FEATURE FILM BY HIMSELF. Wow. You could buy the book of Kanye West lyrics he illustrated…or you could save yourself some time and money and watch his shorts: the trippy “Your Face” (that voice is terrifying); the lovably kooky “Parking” or the sweet “The Fan and the Flower”. I also strongly endorse his first feature, “The Tune”, which I enjoy for the highly inventive and witty music just as much as for Bill’s animation. I have the soundtrack on CD and it’s on HEAVY rotation in my car.
There’s at least a short clip of ALL the films I mentioned on Youtube so go wild and check some out! And the National Film Board of Canada has a TON of great stuff on their channel.
