John Ryan's painting of Joe Perry’s eggplant construction of Lou Hertz. Perry took an eggplant and dressed it up with veggie-mop hair and mini wire-rimmed glasses he twisted into shape. Courtesy of John Ryan.

Sarah Fay Krom
Director
Ideaforia Pty. Ltd.

I met Lou while serving as president of ASIFA-Atlanta in 2002 and 2003. Lou acted as the second-in-command. He was part of the Atlanta animation community from the very beginning; everyone knew who he was and he had a lot of great stories to tell. There were many times when the two of us would get together to go over ASIFA details and just chat, about animation, about dogs, about families, about life. These are the times when you want to remember all the details of the conversation, but can’t. He joked mercilessly, never once showed up without a twinkle in his eye, and made me laugh plenty; so maybe the words are fading but the feeling persists.

I can’t begin to describe the joy he found in being a part of the international animation world. His enthusiasm for the art of animation was contagious and his appreciation for those who can pull it off boundless. He was always saying how incredible it was to see what the young animators were doing these days, humbly claiming to be an old fart past his prime and not up to the new gadgetry. But he knew the essence of the art was far beyond any new-fangled toys or tools, and he constantly shared his sincere and heartfelt wonderment at its magic.

He was lovingly persistent with his students and the local animation community. His membership drives consisted of pounding on doors and rounding up the usual suspects, preferring to see people in the flesh. After I moved to Singapore at the end of 2003, Lou took over as president of the Atlanta chapter. He was proud to be an active part of the International ASIFA board, claiming his presence as the “loud mouth” representative from Atlanta.

This energetic spirit, full of spit and gumption, has made a lasting impression. You know I think you’re the greatest, Looey.

Ward Jenkins
Animation Director
Primal Screen

Lou Hertz had a great sense of humor, always the butt of his own jokes. He loved animation — all forms of it — even after being in it for so many years. It was as if he was always fascinated by the business, always in a state of wonder by it all. Eager to please, and never one to complain about the smallest of concerns, Lou was a great father-figure to many in this town, including me. With his aforementioned jovial voice, and his down-home sense of humor, Lou made you feel like you were family.

Whether it was some odd story about growing up in Alabama, outhouse ethics, working at UPA, washing cels — you just knew that you were in for an interesting conversation with Lou. I loved the way he addressed you as a friend, with his signature, “boobie.”

“No problem, boobie!”

Lou gave me my very first job as an animator. I am forever indebted to him.

Lou, you will be sorely missed. Thanks for everything.

Jim Threlkeld
Producer
Primal Screen

Lou headed up ASIFA Atlanta for the last few years of his life and, as one of the producers at Primal Screen, I would have reason to deal with him on a pretty regular basis. Every year he came by to get the company reel for the “Roll yer own” show of local animation. We usually ran late with our contribution, and Lou always made exceptions to the deadline so that we were able to get in the show. Lou would also call me when he had a good student in one of his animation classes at ACA to give me a heads up on a potential intern. Several of those star students have entered the field here in Atlanta, and one of our former “Lou” interns is now a producer here. In general Lou was always ready and willing to help out with anything that would further the cause of animation. He was both a great practitioner and patron of the art.

Karl Cohen
President
ASIFA-San Francisco

Although I never met Lou in person I knew him by way of e-mails as a hard working executive of ASIFA (both the Atlanta chapter and as an international board member). What I recall most about our exchanges is his willingness to help others. When one of my graduating students left San Francisco for Atlanta he helped to introduce him to the animation community and told him whom he should contact in his search for work. When ASIFA decided to publish a new magazine it was Lou who volunteered to collect articles from U.S. writers. When I needed to consult with other chapter presidents in the U.S. for advice, it was Lou who often had the most sound and sensible advise. Lou was a great friend of animation and I’ll miss him.