Video Series: An Evening with Perpetual Motion Pictures

ASIFA-East is happy to present video from “An Evening with Perpetual Motion Pictures.

On October 12, 2012 ASIFA-East and the School of Visual Arts presented an exciting evening focusing on the work of the New York City animation studio, Perpetual Motion Pictures (1970-1982) along with the artists who were there at the time.

Perpetual Motion Pictures was founded by Buzz Potamkin (producer) and Hal Silvermintz (designer/director). Their early commercial work was inventive and influential and the studio grew to over 70 people working on ads and television programming, including 5 Berenstain Bears’ holiday specials and Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City.

Perpetual Motion Pictures employed a mix of seasoned veterans and people for whom this was their first professional employment — many of whom went on to have big careers of their own.

Tristian Goik has edited together 5 moments from that evening: splicing together snippets of animation from the studio and conversation from the panel moderated by Tom Warburton (Kids Next Door; Fish Hooks) and including Mordicai Gerstein (Illustrator/Designer and director of the Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Tree), Russell Calabrese (Animator and Animation Director at Disney), JJ Sedelmaier (Owner/Director JJ Sedelmaier Productions), Thomas Schlamme (Co-Creator/Director The West Wing and Studio 60, among other TV and films) and Candy Kugel (Co-owner Buzzco Associates, Director/Designer).

In the audience were alumni of Perpetual who came from all over the country—from California, Florida, Massachusetts and places in-between. For those who were there, this is a pleasant reminder—for those who couldn’t make it, a chance to hear some stories. The entire evening (uncut) will be available as well.  – Candy Kugel

The first three videos are presented here and you can view the entire series as they are released on our youTube page!