Women Animators: Martha Goldman Sigall (1917-2014)

Earlier today, Martha Goldman Sigall passed away of natural causes. There is nothing I could write that would top what her friend and animation historian Jerry Beck has posted on his blog "Animation Scoop". So, I encourage everyone to follow this link and read about her extraordinary life in animation.

I'm truly sorry to see Ms. Sigall leave us. My condolences to her family and friends.

Joanna Quinn named 2013 ASIFA Laureate Recipient

Congratulations to Joanna Quinn for being the 2013 ASIFA Laureate Recipient.

Nancy Denny-Phelps, Joanna Quinn
and Barry Purvis (r to l).

From the ASIFA International webpage:

"Each year ASIFA honours a person who has made a significant contribution to animation over an extended period of time."

According to ASIFA International President Ed Desroches, the award for the previous year is usually presented to the recipient at the Annecy Animation Festival in June, however, this year it was presented at the 2014 Bradford Animation Festival in the United Kingdom. Very appropriate as this particular year, one that saw the posthumous 100th birthday of the U.K.'s Joy Batchelor, the BAF had performed a short poll about the changing expectations on women in animation/gaming. You can see the results in the article "Who leads the way for the modern, adventurous and intelligent animated female characters?" on their website.

You can read more about Joanna's career and the award on the ASIFA International website in an article written by Nancy Denny-Phelps at the following link.

Joanna's website is located at Beryl Productions International Ltd and contains more about Joanna, her husband Les Mills, and their films. Worthy of note is the series of online interviews and articles about Joanna under the "Publications & Press" link. Great information for researchers! ;)

* photo from the ASIFA website.

Bee and Puppycat series premiere on November 6th

Only two more days until the series premiere of "Bee and Puppycat", created by Natasha Allegri. I'll admit, much like "Bravest Warriors", when I first watched the show, I didn't get it. Liked the wit and the character designs, but just didn't get it.

And then I heard Natasha talk about her show at the Toronto Animated Arts Festival International, what it was like to be a show creator, how the Kickstarter campaign surpassed all expectations, and now she's got a series... and I still didn't get it. Eh, had the same problem with "Bravest Warriors" when it came out. So I watched the pilot ten more times.

I still don't get the show, but it really grows on you and, much like the phrase "I am Catbug", I started hearing "you took too long, now your candy's gone... that's what happened" every time I'm standing in the checkout line at the supermarket. So now I'm looking forward to the "Bee and Puppycat" series premiere on Thursday, November 6th at Frederator Studios' Cartoon Hangover YouTube channel.

Now if I can only stop binge watching the previous seasons of "Bravest Warriors" looking for Catbug...

If you haven't seen the pilot yet, watch it below before Thursday!

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/.