Will Vinton

Director

November 17, 1947 (70 years)

† October 4, 2018

McMinnville, Oregon, USA

Biography

Award-winning co-director of "Closed Mondays", the first Claymation (tm) film. Will Vinton was born on November 17, 1947 in McMinnville, Oregon, USA as William Gale Vinton. He was a producer and director, known for Claymation Easter (1992), Martin the Cobbler (1977) and Moonwalker (1988). He was married to Gillian Allred and Susan Shadburne. He was a Claymation artist who coined the term. His studio created numerous Claymation characters for ads, most notably the California Raisins, which gain…

Filmography

7.1

Moonwalker

This fantastical movie inspired by the music of Michael Jackson features imaginative interpretations of hit tracks from the iconic 1987 album “Bad”.

6.8

The Adventures of Mark Twain

Based on elements from the stories of Mark Twain, this feature-length Claymation fantasy follows the adventures of Tom Sawyer, Becky Thatcher and Huck Finn as they stowaway aboard the interplanetary balloon of Mark Twain. Twain, disgusted with the human race, is intent upon finding Halley's Comet and crashing into it, achieving his "destiny." It's up to Tom, Becky, and Huck to convince him that his judgment is wrong and that he still has much to offer humanity that might make a difference. Their efforts aren't just charitable; if they fail, they will share Twain's fate. Along the way, they use a magical time portal to get a detailed overview of the Twain philosophy, observing the "historical" events that inspired his works.

N/A

Dinosaurs!

Everyone in Philip’s science class has a great idea for a report - everyone, that is, except Philip. That evening, he listens to a song playing on his boombox, and it provides him with inspiration: DINOSAURS! The next day at the museum, Philip discovers that the search for the truth about these magnificent animals and their astonishing 160-million-years success on the Earth is the most fascinating mystery tale he’s ever heard. What follows is an exciting collection of established theories and fascinating speculation. Philip’s report captivate viewers of all ages, just as it captivates Philip’s classmates. The Kingdom of the Dinosaurs comes to life through animation, live action, and a special Claymation feature by Will Vinton Productions. A short educational Claymation film about dinosaurs. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.

7.2

Claymation Christmas Celebration

Herb and Rex, the Jurassic odd couple, guide a Christmas choral celebration in this Emmy Award-winning special, guest-starring the California Raisins! Segments feature the Three Wise Men, singing camels, ice-skating penguins, and the hilarious Paris Bellharmonic Orchestra.

N/A

God's Trombones

A trilogy of African-American poems that applies artistic interpretation to religious parables.

8.4

Dinosaurs: A Fun Filled Trip Back in Time

Everyone in Philip's science class has a great idea for a report--everyone that is, except Philip. That evening, he listens to a son playing on his boom box, and it provides him with inspiration: DINOSAURS! The next day at the museum, Phillip discovers that the search for the truth about these magnificent animals and their astonishing 160-million-year success on the earth is the most fascinating mystery tale he's ever heard. What follows is an exciting collection of established theories and fascinating speculation.

6.6

The Little Prince

The Little Prince questions the universe in this story of innocence and wonder.

5.6

The Great Cognito

The film tells of a music hall impressionist who caricatures personalities from the second world war. Animated by Barry Bruce at Will Vinton Productions. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.

N/A

The World's Greatest Animation

A whirlwind tour of first-class animated shorts, The World's Greatest Animation assembles, for the first time, an eye-popping assortment of Academy Award winners and nominees from the years 1978-90. From the Orwellian vision of zoo life Creature Comforts, to Crac!, a rocking chair's impressionistic view of the industrialization of Montréal, The World's Greatest Animation features some of the finest achievements in this unique art form.

5.7

Rip Van Winkle

Rip Van Winkle, a lazy American man, wanders off one day with his dog Wolf into the Kaatskill mountains where he runs into an odd group of men drinking and playing bowls. He drinks some of their mysterious brew and passes out. When he wakes up under a tree he is astonished to find that 20 years have passed and things are a lot different. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.

7.0

Raisins Sold Out: The California Raisins II

This special has the band hiring a slick-talking new manager in an attempt to make a comeback. Under his guidance, the Raisins try their hand at various new musical genres, including Disco Polka, Country Rap, and Demolition Rock, to humorous effect. The group's troubles begin to manifest, however, upon the replacement of singer A.C. with their manager's young protégé

6.3

Closed Mondays

An intoxicated man trespasses into an art gallery after hours.

9.0

Claymation: Three Dimensional Clay Animation

A look inside the Will Vinton Studio, with specializes in stop-motion animations with clay. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.

N/A

Legacy: A Very Short History of Natural Resources

Legacy takes the audience on a rapid-fire journey through the evolution of the world, starting with a cosmic bang, evolving through billions of years of plants, animals and the creation of natural resources, ending with man and his bounty – “sitting on his world contemplating his coconut”. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.

7.0

The Festival of Claymation

A sampler of the work of Will Vinton's animation using clay figures, including the shorts "Dinosaur," "The Great Cognito," "A Christmas Gift," and "Vanz Kant Danz."

7.0

A Christmas Gift

On Christmas Eve, a lonely young boy, shut out from the shiny world of presents and holiday parties, peers into a candlelit window, where a gray-haired lady sits sadly at a bare table. Taking the last bit of bread and cheese from his pocket and adding wine, they share this meager Christmas dinner together. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.

8.0

Martin the Cobbler

A poor cobbler has a dream in which he hears the Lord promise to visit him. Instead poor people in need of food, clothing, warmth, and understanding come to him. In the end he understands that this is how the Lord visits men today.

5.0

Mountain Music

Mountain Music illustrates what happens when technology gets too advanced too soon. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.

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