I’ve known Gary Schwartz since, well, since he was a much younger zany filmmaker and animation teacher. In the Webster’s Dictionary, under the word “energy,” there is a picture of Gary with his infectious grin, a camera and a tripod. This year at the Ottawa Animation Festival, as he does every year, Gary made an extremely cool stop motion short – in one day! Fa Fha Pha Ottawa!, inspired by the Ottawa festival award designed by sculptor Tick Tock Tom, is his best yet!
I’ve known Gary Schwartz since, well, since he was a much younger zany filmmaker and animation teacher. In the Webster’s Dictionary, under the word “energy,” there is a picture of Gary with his infectious grin, a camera and a tripod. If you ever meet him, ask him about taking 3-D pictures of Don Knotts in the Toronto Airport. This year at the Ottawa Animation Festival, as he does every year, Gary made an extremely cool stop motion short – in one day! This year’s edition, Fa Fha Pha Ottawa!, inspired by the Ottawa festival award designed by sculptor Tick Tock Tom, is his best yet!
His website proclaims “Gary Schwartz is an award-winning animator, director, artist, filmmaker and teacher. He has taught animation throughout the country and in Europe. Through his company, Single Frame Films, Gary has produced, designed and directed animation for Disney, Sesame Street, MTV, Fox Television, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and others.” To me, he’s one of the nicest, most genuine and pleasant people I’ve met in my 15 years in the biz, his boundless enthusiasm both hilarious and infectious at the same time.
Take a few moments and watch Fa Fha Pha Ottawa! as well as several other Schwartz pieces from Ottawa.
One of my favorites, Entry Form is a tribute to sarcasm - An animated stop-motion festival creative director Chris Robinson instructs you gently on how to filling out the "entry form" for the Ottawa International Animation Festival.
More of Gary's work from Ottawa:
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
