Academy Award-nominee and independent animation legend Bill Plympton joins today’s show, discussing the documentary “Adventures in Plymptoons,” directed by Alexia Anastasio, who is also in studio, with Mike Russell, who yes, still has to review Battleship, but wisely chooses to spend the first 95% of the show discussing Plympton’s career, the making of the documentary, and the strange path to stardom Plympton took, starting on the banks of the Clackamas, winding through illustrations for a succession of skin mags, animating bumpers for MTV, getting short films screened with Don Herzfeldt and Mike Judge, turning down a million dollar contract from Disney, and populated with people like Terry Gilliam, Ron Jeremy, David Carradine, Matthew Modine and Kanye West.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
At 57:47 Plympton says you don’t need to make cartoons about “singing animals and bouncing balls.” How on EARTH did you guys not manage to make that into a dirty joke?
I have seen Bill Plympton patiently draw for long lines of fans at film festivals. He is so talented and connected to his audience. I’ve also always been impressed with how he supports other artists. I’ve met him several times, always a pleasure. Great guest, loved this show. Thanks!
Show-notes for Friday, May 18:
Bill Plympton’s website:
http://www.plymptoons.com/
Information on the “Adventures in Plymptoons!” McMenamins screening tour — the first show (featuring an appearance by Plympton) is Saturday, May 19 at the Mission Theater:
http://www.oregonanimation.com/2012/05/ompa-and-mcmenamins-great-northwest-film-tour-present-adventures-in-plymptoons/
More info on the “Adventures in Plymptoons” doc at Alexia Anastasio’s site:
http://alexiaanastasio.com/films/adventuresinplymptoons.html
Info on “Mind Game,” the trippy 2004 anime Plympton recommends:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_Game_(film)
My Oregonian review of “Battleship,” which I sort of loathed:
http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2012/05/battleship_movie_from_board_ga.html
Oh, and here’s McMenamins’ post on the “Adventures in Plymptoons!” tour, with venue info and advance-ticket purchase:
http://mcmenamins.com/events/u/Great_Northwest_Film_Tour
That ruled.
Listening back, the man sounds like the Dude with more will and concentration.
Oh, and here’s that Plympton-animated couch gag from an April “Simpsons” episode:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFbdcObHHSU