Screen Arts 12/3

NZ Animation History

James Brown, and engraver from Dunedin, is considered the first NZ political cartoonist. His drawings never appeared in publications but they were appreciated in Otago in the 1850's. While some cartoonists worked in private in the 1850's, the first published was around 1860. The earliest political cartoons were careful imitation of british models. After photo engraving was introduced in 1880s, newspapers began publishing cartoons. 1890s was when it became used widely in weekly papers. 1890s and 1900s featured womans rights, prohibition and labour issues.

Race was a frequent topic, depicting fears of asian immigration, and maori as an annoying obstacle to the colonys progress. During the first world war, most cartoons were patriotic showing heroic NZ soldiers and beastly german soldiers. Second world war cartoons mocked enemy leaders.

1950s and 1960s were quiet for cartoons. 1970s and 1980s involved public protest, conflict in politics. The feminist movement in this time opened the way for female cartoonists. Negative, racist portrayals f maori were common in 19th and early 20th century cartooning.

David Low became famous in Britain for his political cartoons in the 1930s and 1940s. Hitler was so offended, he put Low on the Nazi death list.

Fred O'Neill was a dunedin businessman and artist got international recognition for his quirky animations. He sent his plasticine hero to Venus 30yrs before Wallace and Gromit went to the moon. His films promoted non-smoking, and brought maori legends to the screen.

Te Utu by Robert Jahnke in 1979 was a story of a battle between maori gods. Animated film that was based on traditional myth of the NZ Maori.

Bob Stenhouse, first kiwi animator to be nominated for an academy award. He made the oscar nominated short film The frog, the dog, and the devil in 1980. His later films included several Joy Cowley stories, and The Orchard which is a japanese fable that he adapted to a NZ setting.

Murray Ball, born in the Manawatu in 1937. Lived in ZN Aus and South Africa in his youth. Started off copying Disney/Tom and Jerry characters. Spent 3yrs as a cartoonist for the Manawatu Times. Moved to England in 1968. His cartoon Stanley was the longest running strip for Punch magazine. Returned to NZ 1974 and created Footrot Flats which made its appearance during early 1976.

Ian Taylor, formed Taylormade productions in 1989. It is best known for Tiki Tiki Forest Gang, Squirt, and Studio 2. Taylormade and Otago Uni Comp Sci dept created Animation Research Ltd. ARL's first 3D production was a title sequence for University Challenge on TVNZ. ARLs first commercial was for United Airlines, which won awards around the world. Thye also developed the first live 3D animated graphics sports coverage for the Americas Cup in San Diego in 1992.

Len Lye began film making in 1929 combining Maori, Aboriginal, Samoan and modernist influences. He experimented with painting directly onto film and won a medal of honour with Colour Box in 1935.

Out of the Mist is a reading of NZ's cinematic heritage, narrated by Eleanor Cotton, that premiered july 15th 2015 at the NZ Film Festival.

http://video.lumiere.net.nz/out-of-the-mist/