“The Genre Interview – Acclaimed Animator and Filmmaker Bill Plympton.”
By Mark A. Rivera
Bill Plympton is one of the most acclaimed independent animators and filmmakers of his generation. His work has won numerous awards and his acclaimed short “Your Face” was even nominated for the “Best Animated Short Film” in 1987 by the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences® and chances are you have seen his work on television and in magazines as well. Mr. Plympton’s work has appeared as interstitials on MTV and TV commercials as well as magazines as diverse as “National Lampoon” and “Playboy.” He was offered a one million dollar a year job by Disney, but turned it down to remain independent in producing the humorous and provocative animated films that have made his “Plymptoons” recognized all over the world. His first feature film “The Tune” was one of the most acclaimed animated films to be released in the year of its original theatrical exhibition and his new feature “Mutant Aliens” is in theaters now.
A resident of New York City, Mr. Plympton was kind enough to grant me the opportunity to interview him regarding the upcoming DVD release “Plymptoons: The Classic Works Of Bill Plympton: Special Edition,” which will debut on DVD on Tuesday July 23, 2002 from “Indie DVD.”
GENRE: Mr. Plympton, thank you for giving me a chance to speak with you today. I have screened the “Plymptoons” DVD that is being distributed by “IndieDVD” and I was hoping to ask you a few questions. Can you tell me about your new feature film “Mutant Aliens?”
Plympton: Well I produced the film, which took 2 ½ years to make and it just played at the Cinema Village in New York City and has opened in Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. The feature is circulating from city to city.
GENRE: How long is “Mutant Aliens?”
Plympton: 83-minutes.
GENRE: I noticed Lloyd Kaufman of Troma Pictures conducted the interview on the DVD and I was wondering if you and him had ever collaborated on this project or another?
Plympton: No. Lloyd and I are friends. We met at various festivals and share similar interests and ethics on low budget filmmaking.
GENRE: Do you get a royalty every time one of your shorts airs on MTV?
Plympton: MTV does still show the interstitials I animated from time to time, but generally for example in 1991 I signed a contract where a spot could air over the course of three years so depending on the agreement, I may or may not receive a royalty for my work.
GENRE: Are there any animated shows you like or animators’ work you admire? I mean on the DVD you mentioned Crumb?
Plympton: Yes. I like animation that is visually interesting, but I do not watch a lot of television so I can’t comment on what’s out there completely. I think “The Simpsons” looks good and I like “Sponge Bob” and there are animators like Peter Chung whose work I like.
GENRE: I am a fan of Ralph Bakshi’s work. I feel his contribution to animation at times is under appreciated. I mean as much as I love Peter Jackson’s live action “Lord Of The Rings,” but I think there is a debt visually speaking to the realistic style that Bakshi bought to the animated film back in 1978. On the DVD you had mentioned Peter Jackson as one of the animators whose work you liked? Is that the same Jackson who directed “The Lord Of The Rings?”
Plympton: Yes. Bakshi broke a lot of new ground for animators and I like his work too and yes the Peter Jackson I mentioned is the same one who directed “Lord Of the Rings.” I was also inspired by Terry Gilliam’s style of animation and experimented with it early in my career with “Lucas, The Ear Of Corn.”
GENRE: Do you ever teach on the college level?
Plympton: I have done workshops, but I prefer lectures or a master’s class.
GENRE: Are you a native of New York City?
Plympton: No. Actually I’m from Oregon, but New York is a fascinating city. I mean it certainly is not the safest, cleanest, or most peaceful city to live in, but it is an exciting place to be. Ironically IndieDVD is based on Oregon though and as you know they are distributing the “Plymptoons” DVD.
GENRE: I find as an independent journalist with my own website I have to work seven days a week to compete with larger sites, which I don’t mind because I love what I do. I actually publish more in one week as one person than some big corporate sponsored sites. How does being an independent filmmaker and animator affect your work schedule?
Plympton: I love animating, but I also like to get out and enjoy life so I work usually 12 hours a day for five days a week and take the weekends off.
GENRE: Do you have friends among the independent filmmaking community?
Plympton: Yes, but most of the people are animators like me who are in the same area. We are a part of “ASFIA,” which is an organization for animators.
GENRE: I know you could have earned a million dollars from Disney for your talents. If you could go back in time, would you change a thing?
Plympton: No. I love the work of Disney and Warner Brothers, but what I wanted to do is something different than I think the studios would have gone for so I enjoy the freedom of expression I have as an independent, but world recognized animator.
GENRE: Can you tell me what Disney wanted you to work on?
Plympton: Not exactly, but I learned from a colleague that it was probably going to be the character design for the Genie of the Lamp in “Aladdin.”
GENRE: Are you working on a new animated feature now?
Plympton: Yes. It’s called “Hair High.” It’s a gothic “Carrie” like story.
GENRE: Any advice for aspiring animation filmmakers?
Plympton: I suggest a short 2-minute film that is funny, but inexpensive to produce. You will be more likely to open a door and make your money back then.
For more information on Bill Plympton and to view his distinct “Plymptoons” online as well as the theatrical trailer for “Mutant Aliens” go to www.plymptoons.com. You can read my DVD review of “Plymptoons: The Classic Works Of Bill Plympton: Special Edition” by clicking here. You can order it now at stores on and offline or visit www.indiedvd.com for more information. Very special thanks to Bill Plympton for agreeing to the interview and to Mary Loeb at IndieDVD.
© Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.