arts & entertainment Greatest Animation Show on Earth The Suzanne Chessler Contributing Writer E lliot Wilhelm has introduced film fans to many types of animated projects by planning schedules for the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts, but he is about to help introduce them to a wide-ranging ani- mated experience as they walk through "Watch Me Move: The Animation Show," a touring exhibit running Oct. 6-Jan. 5 at the museum. While the displays have been put together by the Barbican Centre in London, the local setup and accompanying programs have been arranged by a team that includes Wilhelm, DIA curator of film and video and DFT director. "Watch Me Move" is the most extensive animation show ever mounted to docu- ment the art of creating artificial images — non-photographic images — on film to produce visions that couldn't otherwise have been created. "Visitors are going to experience over- whelming sensory pleasures," Wilhelm says. "They're going to see a history of ani- mation that will not be in exact chrono- logical order. "They will get to understand the basic Programming Highlights Animation fans can attend complementary programs, many free. Call (313) 833-4004 for details, prices and registration regarding the listings below: RELATED PROGRAMS: Detroit Film Theatre Compilations of short films in 10 categories covering milestones in animation history. $5 per showing/one free ticket to exhibition visitors. Pioneers of Animation Thursdays, Oct.10, 24, Dec.19 and Jan. 2: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov.10: 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29: 4 p.m. At the dawn of the 20th century, visionaries discovered the ability of artificially animat- ed images to cast a spell of astonishment. Early East Coast Studios Fridays, Oct.11, 25, Dec. 20 and Jan. 3: 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov.14: 2 p.m. By the 1920s, New York pioneers such as Max and Dave Fleisher were creating char- acters like Koko the Clown, Betty Boop and Popeye. 50 September 26 • 2013 JN concepts of what made pictures move in the very earliest days of the industry and walk through segments capturing projections for future use of technology in animation:" Among the display items will be iconic and lesser-known animated masterpieces from the past 150 years with more than 100 film segments representing different gen- erations and cultures. Display segments showcase work by animation's great inventors and artists from Georges Melies and Chuck Jones to William Kentridge and Tim Burton as well as work from the big studios, including Walt Disney, Aardman and Pixar. The exhibition is divided into seven parts: "Beginnings" (the emergence of the animated image), "Characters" (the devised personalities of the medium), "Fairy Tales (the representation of existing and new fables), 'Animation for Art's Sake" (a show- case of formal and conceptual structures), "Superhumans" (extended characters) and "Artistic Visions" (the placement of ani- mated worlds into the real world). While the exhibit features animation excerpts, the DFT will offer complete showings. The Israeli film Waltz With Bashir — to be presented at 9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 20-21 — uses adult-focused animation Golden Age of Hollywood Animation Saturdays, Oct.12, 26, Dec. 21 and Jan. 4: 2 p.m. Friday, Nov.15: 4 p.m. The story of West Coast animators like Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. Warner Bros. Animation Saturdays, Oct.12, 26, Dec. 21 and Jan. 4: 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov.16: 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec.1: 2 p.m. No other Hollywood studio matched the imaginative output of Warner Brothers and "Looney Tunes." to examine the 1982 invasion of Lebanon. It was directed by Israeli military veteran Ari Folman. Among the Jewish animators represented are Max Fleischer, creator of Betty Boop cartoons; Matt Stone, co-creator of South Park; and Eric Goldberg, Disney animator with credits for Aladdin. "While exhibit viewers will come with some sophisticated ideas of technologi- cally advanced animation, they can get interesting historical and behind-the-scenes insights," Wilhelm says. "For example, there will be experience with the pioneering zoopraxiscope, a spin- ning drum with still photographs and little slits that let people see photograph after photograph in sequence to produce the illu- sion of actual motion. "People will see photographs of a horse in motion to prove that, at some point, a horse actually has all four legs off the ground while running:" Although the subject matter, such as pop- ular cartoon characters, may appear famil- iar at first, there will be surprises in each section, according to Wilhem. The goal is to showcase the possibilities of the medium in very exciting ways. "It's going to be a challenge to see every- thing in the exhibit because there's so much Early Television Animation Friday, Oct.18: 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21: 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7: 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28: 2 p.m. By the 1950s, Saturday morning TV meant one thing: cartoons. Post-War European Animation Saturdays, Oct.19 and Nov. 23: 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8: 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28: 4 p.m. Soviet-bloc animation artists found ways to express anxiety and fear under repressive regimes. Avant-Garde Animation Sundays, Oct.13, 27, Dec. 22 and Jan. 5: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov.16: 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5: 2 p.m. Experimentation with abstract, non-narra- tive possibilities. Animated Oddities and Unexpected Pleasures Saturdays, Oct.19 and Nov. 23: 4 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 3 and Dec. 29: 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec.12: 2 p.m. The medium of choice for expressing the inexpressible. The National Film Board of Canada Thursdays, Oct.17, 31, Dec. 26: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov.17: 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6: 4 p.m. Canada's NFB short animated works have received more than 50 Oscar nominations. Computer Animation Sundays, Oct. 20, Nov. 24: 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7: 2 p.m. Fridays, Dec.13 and 30: 4 p.m. Monday, December 30: 2 p.m. A doorway that led animators and feature filmmakers to a limitless frontier. Dave Fleischer, Betty Boop, 1932-39, 35mm, black & white, sound, 6 mins. 28 sec. CD 2010 D isneyelxar I "Watch Me Move" brings the most extensive animation exhibition ever mounted to the Detroit Institute of Arts. Toy Story 3, 2010. going on:' Wilhelm says. "For people inter- ested in particular aspects, such as Warner Bros. cartoons or computer animation, we decided to present those aspects in a rotat- ing format throughout the run of the show:' The full-length feature films scheduled FAMILY PROGRAMS: Artist Demonstration: Shadow Animation Sunday, Oct.13: 12-4 p.m. Hands-on demonstration combining shadow characters and other 2D images. Animation Class: Wheel of Life (ages 9 and older) Sunday, Oct. 20:1-3:30 p.m. Build your very own zoetrope in this hands- on workshop (fee). Artist Demonstration: Stop-Motion Animation Sunday, Nov. 24: Noon-4 p.m. Simple techniques for creating stop-motion animation films. Animation Class: Stop Motion (ages 5 and older) Sunday, Dec.1:1-3 p.m. The secrets of bringing everyday objects to life (fee). Artist Demonstration: The Animated Puppets of Coraline Sunday, Dec.15: Noon-4 p.m. The production techniques used to create the animated characters in the film.