The Franklin Institute ::
Animation Film Festival
by Juanita Berge, 1 Sep 2006

Juanita is currently the Philly Creative Guide Event Reporter. Previously she has worked in radio, advertising and network T.V. If you would like your event covered, and possibly featured, by Juanita and the Philly Creative Guide click on the link at the end of this article.

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I happen to be a Bugs Bunny baby boomer. The Jetsons, the Flintstones, Scooby Doo and Johnny Quest are my classics. My parents remember Felix the Cat and Little Lulu; my Kids have Sponge Bob and the very popular Anime of the Far East. Be they political or solely for entertainment, if you're anything like 90% of the population, you remember the most popular cartoon animation of your time as well; and have very definite favorites. What is it about these satirical, humorous sketches, these moving representations of a series of drawings? These are the questions social scientists and artists now ponder and whose answers have, in part, inspired an exhibit in one of this city's premiere scientific venues.

On September 1, 2006, yours truly was able to attend the final night of the Animation Film Festival which was held in conjunction with the Franklin Institute's Animation exhibit. Every Friday night for the past 14 weeks academics and celebrities have taken the stage at Stearns Auditorium inside the Institute to present their own unique takes on animation. Bill Plympton, Tim Heidecker, Eric Werheim, Karl Staven and Lewis Harrington are just some of the noteworthy guest animators who've presented their own work and the work of those whom they admire. These guest hosts provided lively evenings of fun and engrossing entertainment. In fact, our own Sally Starr opened the Festival with a night of Popeye classics. The final night, however, was presented by John R. Dilworth, an award-winning animation director and designer.

"John has been a patron of this program since its kick-off in July," states Jean Byrne of the Institute, "even becoming involved in Behind The Screen Discovery Camp." Run in conjunction with the Institute's Animation exhibit, the camp allowed kids to meet with animators and learn about the Cartoon Laws of Physics, the seven principles of physics that govern cartoon animation.

Dilworth certainly comes with plenty to offer. Having worked with CBS, Showtime, HBO, FOX, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, MTV, Canal+ and Arte, many of us are bound to know his work if not his name. The busy animator/designer with at least five animated shorts of his own who enjoys international awards and renown was asked where his inspiration comes from:

"From life," he answered. Although Daffy Duck has been his cartoon inspiration, he claims that horror films — "I love horror!" - have been a bigger inspiration. Looking back over the genesis of his ideas, he posits he "was always working something out" in his own head when he came up with the idea, theme or action. This all rings true as I watch action reminiscent of 60's psychedelia unfold on screen. Surrealist images flow by in concert with haunting classical music. Esoteric offerings are punctuated with slapstick comedy - the enthusiastic crowd is clearly enjoying themselves. After viewing several of his films, he opened up a question and answer period to the well-attended event. He described how he built his exposure through film festivals and that his work now appears in over 80 festivals. He also noted his own affinity for the animation of Sponge Bob and Fairly Odd Parents and recalls how he and his brother loved to "frighten Mom" as a past-time when they were growing up.

This presentation was the conclusion of a 14 week film festival. One in which noteworthy guests and animators were Kathy O'Connell, Paul Kanyauk, Dana Snyder, Jay Edward, John Canemaker and Gene London. Those, with the others mentioned above, made for an incredibly diverse and varied group who shed much light on the subject of animation. The festival provided a treasure of ideas, perspectives and aesthetics. One the Franklin Institute says was a "smashing success." Animation is a multi-faceted discipline with creations as diverse as the imagination. I came of age during a time Fritz, the Cat was considered avant garde. For my children, Toy Story, with its computer generated animation was a watershed moment. Who knows what's next.

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