FILMS
A key figure in the American independent animation movement, JOHN CANEMAKER began making films in 1973. His development as a filmmaker parallels his decades-long study of the art and history of animation, which has made him a leading authority on the subject. His eclectic style is strongly influenced by classical 'personality' character animation as well as more avant-garde painterly and abstract techniques. In both personal and commissioned works, he has earned a reputation for bringing to life sensitive emotional themes and issues.
Canemaker has been fortunate in that commissions for animated segments in television programs have enabled him to continue expanding his creative vocabulary through works that are both visually stimulating and intellectually engaging.
Jytte Jensen, Associate Curator, Department of Film and Video, The Museum of Modern Art, notes:
"No subject matter is off-limits or deemed too 'difficult' for the animation imagination of John Canemaker, who has extended the vocabulary of the art form way beyond the 'safe' cartoon image. Canemaker is an extraordinarily skillful artist whose distinctive style is nevertheless ultimately defined by the subject matter. Canemaker addresses the core of his subject with compassion and fearlessness-the painterly qualities and the accomplished, energetic line movement expressing his artistic vision." His films are part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
JOHN CANEMAKER ANIMATION COLLECTION
JOHN CANEMAKER Marching to a Different Toon. 1978-1998. 60 minutes. Milestone Film & Video (2001)
FILM RETROSPECTIVES
*JOHN CANEMAKER: MARCHING TO A DIFFERENT TOON ANIMATED FILMS 1978-1998 - Museum of Modern Art, New York, Friday, 6 November 1998.
*THE ANIMATED FILMS OF JOHN CANEMAKER - The American Film Institute, Los Angeles, 24 January, 1987.
* FILMS OF JOHN CANEMAKER - Lucca 20, Twentieth Annual Animation/Comic Book Festival - Lucca, Italy, 26 October - 2 November 1986.
*AN EVENING WITH JOHN CANEMAKER - "Cineprobe" - Museum of Modern Art, New York, November 5, 1984.
JOHN CANEMAKER - Filmography SELECTED PERSONAL FILMS:
THE MOON AND THE SON: AN IMAGINED CONVERSATION (2004)
BRIDGEHAMPTON (1998)
CONFESSIONS OF A STAND-UP (1993)
BOTTOM'S DREAM (1983)
THE WIZARD'S SON (1981)
CONFESSIONS OF A STARDREAMER (1978)
OTTO MESSMER AND FELIX THE CAT (1977)
REMEMBERING WINSOR McCAY (1976)
THE 40'S (1974)
STREET FREAKS (1974)
GREED (1974) "Imaginary beasts typify one of the seven deadly in this ingenious, Walt Disney style, full animation." Karen Cooper, Film Forum. Screened May 9-12, 16-19, 1974.
JOHN CANEMAKER - Filmography SELECTED SPONSORED FILMS:
RAID (1996) - TV commercial computer animation test - Character Animation Consultant - R/Greenberg Assoc.
JET DRY (1996) - computer animation - Character Animation Consultant - R/Greenberg Assoc.
LIVING FOSSILS (1995) - informational short - Design and Storyboards - National Geographic Society.
BREAK THE SILENCE: KIDS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE (1994)
ANGELS ON ICE (1994) - commercial - GMHC Milton Glaser's ethereal angels literally take wing in a GMHC promotional film.
SHELL OIL (1994)- computer animation TV commercial - Animation Consultant - R/Greenberg Assoc.
HOW TO GET BLESSED WITHOUT SNEEZING (1993) - Trinity Television - Production Designer - New York Emmy-winner *FREE RADICALS (1993) - Este Lauder/Pharmaceuticals
THE CREATIVE SPIRIT (1992)
THE GALAXY CLASSROOM PROJECT (1992) - Hughes/Umbrella Ltd.
CIRCUS FOR LIFE (1992) - Public service announcement - G.M.H.C. Canemaker brought Folon's distinctive poster to life in a manner that evoked the painterly style of the original, while using animation to underscore and amplify the urgent message of supporting programs for people with AIDS.
SCIENCE EXPERIENCES (1992) - MacMillan McGraw-Hill/Terra The title sequence for a children's science series celebrates the diversity of scientific discovery through rapidly metamorphosing images.
BEHIND THE SCENES (1992) - Learning Designs/PBS. Discussions of art with Penn & Teller. A meditation on the animated possibilities of a single line, created for a PBS children's program.
AIDS DANCE-A-THON (1991) - Public service announcement - G.M.H.C. Keith Haring's lively creations cavort with real-life dancers in this TV promo for an AIDS fund-raiser, the first authorized use of Haring's images for commercial purposes. See also: "Carrying Haring's Toon," New York Magazine, "Fast Track," vol. 24 #47, 2 December 1991; "New Yorkers Create AIDS Spot". Commercial News by Bruce Strockler. Millimeter, Dec. 1991; "Dancing Away the Face of Despair" by Brooke Conner. American Cinematographer, February 1992.
DANCE IN AMERICA - EVERYBODY DANCE NOW! (1991) WNET/13 A kaleidoscope of American dance styles from Isadora to Madonna was created to introduce a PBS special on contemporary street dancers.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND RELATIONSHIPS (1991) - story/character models - informational short of teen suicides. Channing L. Bete Co., Inc.
BISON BINGE (1991) - CTW - 3-2-1 Contact
FLINTSTONES/JETSONS Interactive CD-ROM (1991) - R/Greenberg
HATE ON TRIAL (1991) - additional graphic design - WNET/13
KIMBERLY CLARK/ NEW FREEDOM (1990) - Ogilvy & Mather
REQUEST PAY PER VIEW TV (1990) - E.W. Power Agency
WHAT'S UP, DR. RUTH? (1989) - Prod.: Lifetime Television. Series title design/direction: John Canemaker.
WARNING: DIETS MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH (1989) - HBO special. Segment design/direction: John Canemaker.
FOOD `a la FLOYD (1989) - Prod.: Lifetime Television. Series title. Design/direction: John Canemaker.
K.C.JONES AND THE QUEST FOR NEVER-ENDING DIAPER DOMINATION (1989) - Huggies Diapers Sales Group informational short. Prod.: Ogilvy & Mather Agency. Animation design/direction: John Canemaker.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO DIE (1988)
LATE FOR DINNER (1988) - Prod.: Cinemax/New Star. TV pilot title. Design/direction: John Canemaker.
THE HUNGER PROJECT (1988) - THP/The Leland Company. Design/direction: John Canemaker.
WALT DISNEY/SILVER SCREEN PARTNERS IV(1987) - Informational short. Prod.: Duncan & Katz. Design/direction: John Canemaker.
KOTEX (1987) - TV commercial. Prod.: Kimberly Clark/Ogilvy & Mather. Design/direction: John Canemaker.
LYLE LYLE CROCODILE (1987) - Prod.: Michael Sporn Prod./HBO special. Animator: John Canemaker.
WHO'S THAT GIRL? (1987) - Broadcast Arts/Warner Bro. - title. John Canemaker, part of animation team.
JOHN LENNON SKETCHBOOK (1986)
HOLIDAY INN (1986) TV commercial. - Prod.: Bozell, Jacobs, Kenyon & Eckart. Designed/directed by John Canemaker.
PEE WEE'S PLAYHOUSE (1986) - CBS/Broadcast Arts - Magic Screen sequences. Animator: John Canemaker.
THE ADVENTURE (1986) - Michael Sporn/CTW - Saudi segment designed/animated by John Canemaker.
LITTLE NEMO (1985) - Animated feature. Prod.: Tokyo Movie Shinsha John Canemaker: part of story sketch/character design team.
BRAINGAMES (1984) - HBO kid's series. Segment design/direction by John Canemaker.
EFFECTIVE ORAL PRESENTATIONS (1984) - Tower, Perrins, Foster & Crosby/Duncan & Katz - informational short. Design/direction by John Canemaker.
KAZ VS THE GYPSY MOTH (1983) - Chemical Abstracts Inc. - Informational short. Animation design/direction by John Canemaker.
BENATAR (1983) - HBO/Rising Star Inc. - Title design/direction by John Canemaker.
CAMPUS COMEDY (1983) - HBO/Rising Star Inc. - Title design/direction by John Canemaker.
DNA CONCERTO (1983) - 3-2-1 Contact/CTW. Music by Elizabeth Swados. Animation design/direction by John Canemaker
WHAT DO CHILDREN THINK OF WHEN THEY THINK OF THE BOMB? (1983)
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP (1982)
LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE (1981) - Prod.: Billy Budd Films. Informational short. Animation design/direction by John Canemaker.
CATCH A RISING STAR'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY (1981) - Prod.: HBO. Title design/direction by John Canemaker.
80 MILLION YEARS AGO (1981) -3-2-1-Contact/CTW - Rise and fall of the dinosaurs. Design/direction by John Canemaker.
MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC (1981) - CBS Cable - The history of music in 90 seconds, score arranged by Mel Torme. Design/direction by John Canemaker. Selected for showing Ottawa Animation Festival 1981. ". . . [T]he images resonate with feeling and each segment lives out the joy of its music." Animation Newsletter, May 1982.
WOMAN OF THE YEAR (1981) - Kander and Ebb stage musical starring Lauren Bacall (which opened on Broadway on March 29, 1981) contained scenes that used animated film. Produced and directed by Michael Sporn; John Canemaker animated a cartoon cat (named "Katz") who danced and sang with live actor Harry Guardino.
See also: "This Cat Has Theatergoers Purring," New York Times, 19 April 1981; "Animation for a Broadway Musical" by Jay Padroff. Cartoonist Profiles, #51, Sept. 1981.
CAPTAIN KANGAROO'S WAKE-UP (1981) - Prod.: Bruce Cayard. Animator: John Canemaker.
ROCKY HORROR SHOW (1980) - TV commercial for Robert Fishko Productions, directed/animated by John Canemaker.
Sesame Street (1980): LETTER "M"; WASH YOUR HANDS; NEEDLE AND THREAD; SNEEZE; HUMMINGBIRD, ME AND MY "M" - Prod.: Bruce Cayard. Animator: John Canemaker
NETHERLANDS (1979) - Hot Hero Sandwich/NBC. Prod.:Jerry Lieberman. Animator: John Canemaker.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (1979) - CTW/3-2-1 Contact Prod.: Jerry Lieberman. Animator: John Canemaker.
THE ART OF OSKAR FISHINGER (1977) - CBS Camera Three documentary on pioneer abstract animator/filmmaker/painter. Writer and on-camera host: John Canemaker.
OSTRICH; KITTY; FLEA (1976) - CTW: The Electric Company - Prod.: Bruce Cayard. Animator: John Canemaker
THE BOYS FROM TERMITE TERRACE (1975) - CBS Camera Three documentary on Warner Brothers animators and films. Writer and on-camera host: John Canemaker
DANCING BEAR (7 spots) - CBS/Captain Kangaroo (1975) - Prod.: Bruce Cayard. Animator: John Canemaker
ANGRY GOAT - Sesame Street (1975) Prod.: Derek Lamb. Animator: John Canemaker
SCARY THING; JUNGLE ROOM - Sesame Street (1974)- Prod.: Bruce Cayard. Animator: John Canemaker
A key figure in the American independent animation movement, JOHN CANEMAKER began making films in 1973. His development as a filmmaker parallels his decades-long study of the art and history of animation, which has made him a leading authority on the subject. His eclectic style is strongly influenced by classical 'personality' character animation as well as more avant-garde painterly and abstract techniques. In both personal and commissioned works, he has earned a reputation for bringing to life sensitive emotional themes and issues.
Canemaker has been fortunate in that commissions for animated segments in television programs have enabled him to continue expanding his creative vocabulary through works that are both visually stimulating and intellectually engaging.
Jytte Jensen, Associate Curator, Department of Film and Video, The Museum of Modern Art, notes:
"No subject matter is off-limits or deemed too 'difficult' for the animation imagination of John Canemaker, who has extended the vocabulary of the art form way beyond the 'safe' cartoon image. Canemaker is an extraordinarily skillful artist whose distinctive style is nevertheless ultimately defined by the subject matter. Canemaker addresses the core of his subject with compassion and fearlessness-the painterly qualities and the accomplished, energetic line movement expressing his artistic vision." His films are part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
JOHN CANEMAKER ANIMATION COLLECTION
JOHN CANEMAKER Marching to a Different Toon. 1978-1998. 60 minutes. Milestone Film & Video (2001)
FILM RETROSPECTIVES
*JOHN CANEMAKER: MARCHING TO A DIFFERENT TOON ANIMATED FILMS 1978-1998 - Museum of Modern Art, New York, Friday, 6 November 1998.
*THE ANIMATED FILMS OF JOHN CANEMAKER - The American Film Institute, Los Angeles, 24 January, 1987.
* FILMS OF JOHN CANEMAKER - Lucca 20, Twentieth Annual Animation/Comic Book Festival - Lucca, Italy, 26 October - 2 November 1986.
*AN EVENING WITH JOHN CANEMAKER - "Cineprobe" - Museum of Modern Art, New York, November 5, 1984.
JOHN CANEMAKER - Filmography SELECTED PERSONAL FILMS:
THE MOON AND THE SON: AN IMAGINED CONVERSATION (2004)
BRIDGEHAMPTON (1998)
CONFESSIONS OF A STAND-UP (1993)
BOTTOM'S DREAM (1983)
THE WIZARD'S SON (1981)
CONFESSIONS OF A STARDREAMER (1978)
OTTO MESSMER AND FELIX THE CAT (1977)
REMEMBERING WINSOR McCAY (1976)
THE 40'S (1974)
STREET FREAKS (1974)
GREED (1974) "Imaginary beasts typify one of the seven deadly in this ingenious, Walt Disney style, full animation." Karen Cooper, Film Forum. Screened May 9-12, 16-19, 1974.
JOHN CANEMAKER - Filmography SELECTED SPONSORED FILMS:
RAID (1996) - TV commercial computer animation test - Character Animation Consultant - R/Greenberg Assoc.
JET DRY (1996) - computer animation - Character Animation Consultant - R/Greenberg Assoc.
LIVING FOSSILS (1995) - informational short - Design and Storyboards - National Geographic Society.
BREAK THE SILENCE: KIDS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE (1994)
ANGELS ON ICE (1994) - commercial - GMHC Milton Glaser's ethereal angels literally take wing in a GMHC promotional film.
SHELL OIL (1994)- computer animation TV commercial - Animation Consultant - R/Greenberg Assoc.
HOW TO GET BLESSED WITHOUT SNEEZING (1993) - Trinity Television - Production Designer - New York Emmy-winner *FREE RADICALS (1993) - Este Lauder/Pharmaceuticals
THE CREATIVE SPIRIT (1992)
THE GALAXY CLASSROOM PROJECT (1992) - Hughes/Umbrella Ltd.
CIRCUS FOR LIFE (1992) - Public service announcement - G.M.H.C. Canemaker brought Folon's distinctive poster to life in a manner that evoked the painterly style of the original, while using animation to underscore and amplify the urgent message of supporting programs for people with AIDS.
SCIENCE EXPERIENCES (1992) - MacMillan McGraw-Hill/Terra The title sequence for a children's science series celebrates the diversity of scientific discovery through rapidly metamorphosing images.
BEHIND THE SCENES (1992) - Learning Designs/PBS. Discussions of art with Penn & Teller. A meditation on the animated possibilities of a single line, created for a PBS children's program.
AIDS DANCE-A-THON (1991) - Public service announcement - G.M.H.C. Keith Haring's lively creations cavort with real-life dancers in this TV promo for an AIDS fund-raiser, the first authorized use of Haring's images for commercial purposes. See also: "Carrying Haring's Toon," New York Magazine, "Fast Track," vol. 24 #47, 2 December 1991; "New Yorkers Create AIDS Spot". Commercial News by Bruce Strockler. Millimeter, Dec. 1991; "Dancing Away the Face of Despair" by Brooke Conner. American Cinematographer, February 1992.
DANCE IN AMERICA - EVERYBODY DANCE NOW! (1991) WNET/13 A kaleidoscope of American dance styles from Isadora to Madonna was created to introduce a PBS special on contemporary street dancers.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND RELATIONSHIPS (1991) - story/character models - informational short of teen suicides. Channing L. Bete Co., Inc.
BISON BINGE (1991) - CTW - 3-2-1 Contact
FLINTSTONES/JETSONS Interactive CD-ROM (1991) - R/Greenberg
HATE ON TRIAL (1991) - additional graphic design - WNET/13
KIMBERLY CLARK/ NEW FREEDOM (1990) - Ogilvy & Mather
REQUEST PAY PER VIEW TV (1990) - E.W. Power Agency
WHAT'S UP, DR. RUTH? (1989) - Prod.: Lifetime Television. Series title design/direction: John Canemaker.
WARNING: DIETS MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH (1989) - HBO special. Segment design/direction: John Canemaker.
FOOD `a la FLOYD (1989) - Prod.: Lifetime Television. Series title. Design/direction: John Canemaker.
K.C.JONES AND THE QUEST FOR NEVER-ENDING DIAPER DOMINATION (1989) - Huggies Diapers Sales Group informational short. Prod.: Ogilvy & Mather Agency. Animation design/direction: John Canemaker.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO DIE (1988)
LATE FOR DINNER (1988) - Prod.: Cinemax/New Star. TV pilot title. Design/direction: John Canemaker.
THE HUNGER PROJECT (1988) - THP/The Leland Company. Design/direction: John Canemaker.
WALT DISNEY/SILVER SCREEN PARTNERS IV(1987) - Informational short. Prod.: Duncan & Katz. Design/direction: John Canemaker.
KOTEX (1987) - TV commercial. Prod.: Kimberly Clark/Ogilvy & Mather. Design/direction: John Canemaker.
LYLE LYLE CROCODILE (1987) - Prod.: Michael Sporn Prod./HBO special. Animator: John Canemaker.
WHO'S THAT GIRL? (1987) - Broadcast Arts/Warner Bro. - title. John Canemaker, part of animation team.
JOHN LENNON SKETCHBOOK (1986)
HOLIDAY INN (1986) TV commercial. - Prod.: Bozell, Jacobs, Kenyon & Eckart. Designed/directed by John Canemaker.
PEE WEE'S PLAYHOUSE (1986) - CBS/Broadcast Arts - Magic Screen sequences. Animator: John Canemaker.
THE ADVENTURE (1986) - Michael Sporn/CTW - Saudi segment designed/animated by John Canemaker.
LITTLE NEMO (1985) - Animated feature. Prod.: Tokyo Movie Shinsha John Canemaker: part of story sketch/character design team.
BRAINGAMES (1984) - HBO kid's series. Segment design/direction by John Canemaker.
EFFECTIVE ORAL PRESENTATIONS (1984) - Tower, Perrins, Foster & Crosby/Duncan & Katz - informational short. Design/direction by John Canemaker.
KAZ VS THE GYPSY MOTH (1983) - Chemical Abstracts Inc. - Informational short. Animation design/direction by John Canemaker.
BENATAR (1983) - HBO/Rising Star Inc. - Title design/direction by John Canemaker.
CAMPUS COMEDY (1983) - HBO/Rising Star Inc. - Title design/direction by John Canemaker.
DNA CONCERTO (1983) - 3-2-1 Contact/CTW. Music by Elizabeth Swados. Animation design/direction by John Canemaker
WHAT DO CHILDREN THINK OF WHEN THEY THINK OF THE BOMB? (1983)
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP (1982)
LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE (1981) - Prod.: Billy Budd Films. Informational short. Animation design/direction by John Canemaker.
CATCH A RISING STAR'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY (1981) - Prod.: HBO. Title design/direction by John Canemaker.
80 MILLION YEARS AGO (1981) -3-2-1-Contact/CTW - Rise and fall of the dinosaurs. Design/direction by John Canemaker.
MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC (1981) - CBS Cable - The history of music in 90 seconds, score arranged by Mel Torme. Design/direction by John Canemaker. Selected for showing Ottawa Animation Festival 1981. ". . . [T]he images resonate with feeling and each segment lives out the joy of its music." Animation Newsletter, May 1982.
WOMAN OF THE YEAR (1981) - Kander and Ebb stage musical starring Lauren Bacall (which opened on Broadway on March 29, 1981) contained scenes that used animated film. Produced and directed by Michael Sporn; John Canemaker animated a cartoon cat (named "Katz") who danced and sang with live actor Harry Guardino.
See also: "This Cat Has Theatergoers Purring," New York Times, 19 April 1981; "Animation for a Broadway Musical" by Jay Padroff. Cartoonist Profiles, #51, Sept. 1981.
CAPTAIN KANGAROO'S WAKE-UP (1981) - Prod.: Bruce Cayard. Animator: John Canemaker.
ROCKY HORROR SHOW (1980) - TV commercial for Robert Fishko Productions, directed/animated by John Canemaker.
Sesame Street (1980): LETTER "M"; WASH YOUR HANDS; NEEDLE AND THREAD; SNEEZE; HUMMINGBIRD, ME AND MY "M" - Prod.: Bruce Cayard. Animator: John Canemaker
NETHERLANDS (1979) - Hot Hero Sandwich/NBC. Prod.:Jerry Lieberman. Animator: John Canemaker.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (1979) - CTW/3-2-1 Contact Prod.: Jerry Lieberman. Animator: John Canemaker.
THE ART OF OSKAR FISHINGER (1977) - CBS Camera Three documentary on pioneer abstract animator/filmmaker/painter. Writer and on-camera host: John Canemaker.
OSTRICH; KITTY; FLEA (1976) - CTW: The Electric Company - Prod.: Bruce Cayard. Animator: John Canemaker
THE BOYS FROM TERMITE TERRACE (1975) - CBS Camera Three documentary on Warner Brothers animators and films. Writer and on-camera host: John Canemaker
DANCING BEAR (7 spots) - CBS/Captain Kangaroo (1975) - Prod.: Bruce Cayard. Animator: John Canemaker
ANGRY GOAT - Sesame Street (1975) Prod.: Derek Lamb. Animator: John Canemaker
SCARY THING; JUNGLE ROOM - Sesame Street (1974)- Prod.: Bruce Cayard. Animator: John Canemaker
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