Women Animators: Auril Thompson (1917 - 2014)

Auril Thompson

On October 3rd, artist and animator Auril Thompson passed away at the age of 97. As was stated on the Women in Animation Facebook post:

"Her career of over fifty years spanned working in Walter Lantz’s building, at Jay Ward’s studio, at Disney, at MGM and in her own ink and paint studio. She collaborated with notables including John Hubley and Chuck Jones..."

For those who are interested in learning a little more about this extraordinary woman of animation, Soraya Fallah produced a short documentary on her life for World's Women for Life back in 2010.

Part One:


Part Two:


Part Three:

And between IMDB and the Internet Animation Database, a partial filmography of her career can be constructed below:

1963
- The Great Rights

1964
- The Hangman
- William Tell Ink and Paint
- Moby Dick Ink and Paint
- Don Quixote de la Mancha

1965
- Snow White
- Rip Van Winkle Ink and Paint
- Don Quixote de la Mancha
- King Arthur Ink and Paint
- The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo
- Mr. Magoo's Dick Tracy and the Mob
- Mr. Magoo's Rip Van Winkle
- The Man from Button Willo

1970
- The Phantom Tollbooth

1980
- Animalympics

1982
- TRON

1991
- Rover Dangerfield


* Photo of Auril Thompson from Women in Animation Facebook post.

Animated News: Kirsten Lepore interviewed on Skwigly

Kristen Lepore

Just in case you missed it, on March 19th, Laura Beth Cowley interviewed stop-motion animator Kirsten Lepore for Skwigly Online Animation Magazine.

Chock full of information on her process and punctuated by her short films (streamed through Vimeo), this interview is an inspirational resource for animators who are straddling the line between producing personal works of art and commercial art for clients.

Excerpts from the audio interview can be read on the Skwigly website at the following link. And the full audio interview can be heard in the second half of their audio podcast found at the following link. Kristen's interview begins around time marker 48:20 (after a short introduction).

Additionally, you can view more of Kristen's films (both personal and for clients) on her website at www.kristenlepore.com.

* photo from Skwigly Online Magazine article: http://www.skwigly.co.uk/interview-director-animator-kirsten-lepore/.