Plymptoons: The Complete Early Works of Bill Plympton
Animator Bill Plympton first received widespread public attention when his outré "Your Face" (1987) was nominated for an Academy Award for Animated Short. This collection of short films—some as brief as 15 seconds—made between 1985 and 1991, showcase his unique talent much more effectively than his ponderous feature films. But in off-the-wall shorts like "Your Face", "25 Ways to Quit Smoking", and the 15-second shorts made for MTV, he emerges as an entertaining and highly original filmmaker.
Episodes
Excerpted from the collective short "Animated Self-Portraits" (1989), this 13-second clip is as the title describes: a self-portrait of Bill Plympton, animated circa 1988.
Bill Plympton's first animated short for his college's 1968 yearbook promotion.
An incomplete short by Bill Plympton.
The Android Sisters sing about the alarming increase in U.S. defense spending during the cold war and its effect on various aspects of the domestic economy.
While giving an art lesson, the Magic Line is distracted by thoughts of his true love and former model, Vera, with whom he'd had a wild and passionate affair.
A tenor, in suit and tie, with a receding hairline, sings an original ballad to his love, “Your Face is Like a Song”, to simple piano accompaniment.
A distracted businessman buys an anniversary gift for his wife, but gets much more than he bargained for.
A day in the life of the world's unluckiest guy.
As a brave couple demonstrates, the narrator uses quotes, examples and advice to help us all reach the highest heights in the art of kissing.
The perilous road to kicking the habit is explored in twenty-six vignettes that include various professionals and contraptions.
The music video for Peter Himmelman's song "245 Days", featuring original animations by Bill Plympton.
A 13-second channel bumper for MTV, animated by Bill Plympton circa 1989.
A 30-second excerpt from Amnesty International's 20-minute Universal Declaration of Human Rights animation video special from 1989.
An environmental awareness PSA from MTV, animated by Bill Plympton circa 1989.
A 1990 TV advertisement for the board game Trivial Pursuit, animated by Bill Plympton.
A 1990 TV advertisement for the board game Trivial Pursuit, animated by Bill Plympton.
A 1991 TV advertisement for artificial sweetener Sugar Delight, animated by Bill Plympton, featuring the voice of Emo Philips.
A 1991 TV advertisement for artificial sweetener Sugar Delight, animated by Bill Plympton, featuring the voice of Emo Philips.
An excerpt from MTV's 10th Anniversary Special, animated by Bill Plympton.
An excerpt from MTV's 10th Anniversary Special, animated by Bill Plympton.
A collection of comedic vignettes and sight gags, animated by Bill Plympton.
A student film animated by Bill Plympton, when he was a student at The School of Visual Arts, New York City.
Another student film animated by Bill Plympton during his time as a student at The School of Visual Arts, New York City, humorously speaking to class divisions in America.
