Magisterial independent animator Bill
Plympton will grace Richmond with his
talents on Nov. 9 at the Canal Club for
an evening of screenings, humor and
free drawings.
You might not have heard of him,
but among his peers, he is well known
and incredibly respected as an animator.
Nominated for two Academy Awards
for his works, “Guide Dog” and “Your
Face,” Plympton is the archetype of
the independent artist trying to make
a living off his talent.
“I don’t work for Disney
or Dreamworks, and a
lot of people think that’s
pretty special,” Plympton
said.
Mild-mannered Plympton
is looking forward to
his stop in Richmond. In
addition to emphasizing
his simplistic style, he’ll
be speaking to the young
art community about the
importance of remaining
true to one’s self in one’s
works.
“The great thing about
independent work is I’m
my own boss . I can
come up with any crazy
idea I want, and no one’s
going to say ‘No.’ I can
also finish it when I want
. change it when I want,
and even though I don’t
make as much money
as the commercials, the
freedom is what it’s all
about,” Plympton said.
“That’s the joy of making
animation.”
Although computers
have revolutionized
the animation industry,
Pympton’s unique style results in his
shunning of computers. Every frame is
drawn by hand. Literally thousands of
frames go into each of his works.
“I don’t use computers. It’s all handmade.
I think a lot of people are either
afraid of computers or just don’t like
the look of computers. That’s what I’m
going to bring to Richmond – the oldschool,
independent artist philosophy,”
Plympton said.
Regardless of whether his techniques
are dated or efficient, nobody can argue
with his time-tested formula. Plympton’s
“dogma,” as he calls it, involves three
simple rules: “Make your films short
– five minutes or less – make your films
cheap – $1,000 a minute or less – and
rule No. 3 – make your film funny.
If you can do all that, you will be a
success,” Plympton said.
Plympton will be showcasing clips
from earlier works, as well as his
unreleased film, “Idiots and Angels,”
at 8 p.m. at the Canal Club at 1545 E.
Cary St. After the show, Plympton will
draw a free picture for any ticket holder
at the event. Also performing will be the
Richmond Afrobeat Movement and the
Art Cheerleaders.
The event is co-sponsored by the
VCU kinetic imaging department, the
Art Cheerleaders and the Richmond
Moving Image Co-op. Tickets are $10 for
students with ID and $15 for everyone
else and may be purchased in advance
at Chop Suey Books and Video Fan.
For more information, call Mike Jones
at 355-6537. For more information on
Plympton, including his clips, visit his
Web site at plymptoons.com.