"Hello, I have a question that has been gnawing at me for years and I thought you might be able to help. Attached is a photo from the 1975 book "Creators of Life" by Donald Heraldson. It is the staff photo of Richard Williams studio. I can easily make out Richard W., along with Art Babbitt and Grim Natwick. But you will also notice a 10-year-old boy in the middle of the photo. The subtext says he is part of the staff. If that young man was 10 in 1975, that would make him about 43 or 44 today. Do you know who he is, and if he is still in the animation industry? Thank you,
- Tim Hodge"
We don't know yet who the 10 year old boy is, but Carl Gover was kind enough to identify most of the other people. Here is what he wrote me today: "...an old photo to bring back lots of memories. Sadly, mine is not what it should be but I can recall some of those in the pic. However, the kid’s name escapes me although I do remember him as a prodigy at the time.I believe I was abroad this day – or otherwise occupied.
Bottom row:
Richard Williams...Richard Burdett (animator)... Art Babbitt...(unknown).....Carol Stallings (Dick’s sec.)...Dick Purdum
Row above:
Chris Knott (SFX guy)...Bella Bremner (Dick’s Asst.)...Ken Harris...Grim Natwick...Roland B. Wilson (Designer/illust.)...Sergio Simonetti (animator)...Brian Lewis (Lawyer)... Tass Hesom (animator)...(unknown)...Leslie Silver (Prod. Asst.)..(unknown)...Howard Blake (Composer)
The people behind (left) are familiar but the only name I remember is Tony White (animator) between Bella and Ken. UPDATE: on the left with Glasses is Jeff Short, then between him and Tony: Greg Duffell
Those behind (right) are Roy Naisbitt...Russell Hall...Rod Howick (editor)
I will do my best to contact others who might help..."
Update:
Please check out Michael Sporn's blog who is posting about this picture, too. I'm updating Carl's list above to incorporate the names that came up in Michael's comment section.
On Michael's blog Tim Hodge says: I also sent the photo to William’s Master Class website. This is the response I got back yesterday from I. Sutton.: “He wasn’t an employee but a very bright boy who was invited to attend a Masterclass at the studio. It was a long time ago and I don’t have a
record of his name or whether he is still animating.”
So the book was off-base a little.
Update from Michael Sporn in the comment section:
Greg Duffell, on my blog, identifies almost everyone in the photo, including the boy:
Back row from left:
Inbetweener Geoff Adams, unknown (perhaps assistant editor), trainee inbetweener John McCartney, Assistant director, designer, layout artist and technical director Mr. Roy Naisbitt, animator Russell Hall, editor Roy Howick
Next row forward: Junior Animator Jeff Short, trainee inbetweener Greg Duffell, Animator Tony White, Animation legend Mr. Grim Natwick, Illustration legend Mr. Rowland B. Wilson, Senior animator Mr. Sergio Simonetti, Executive Producer Brian Lewis, Executive Secretary Lesley Silver, Lettering artist and animator Mr. Raymond Guillemet.
Next row forward: Effects animator Chris Knott, Assistant animator Bella Bremner, Animation legend Mr. Ken Harris, visiting student Jonathan Dean, trainee inbetweener Tass Hesom, animator Bill Rhodes, composer Howard Blake
Front row: Legendary animator Mr. Richard Williams, Top assistant animator and animator Richard Burdett, Legendary animator Mr. Arthur Babbitt, Executive secretary Carol Stallings and Dick’s right hand man and animator Mr. Richard Purdum.
Thanks Tim, Carl, Michael, Mark and Greg for the glimpse back in time .
9 comments:
What's the label(s) for this post?
Thanks, I fixed it.
Does anybody remember walking into the Forum in Camden and just hearing the sound of paper rustling and nothing else? All that concentrated effort from all the animators. On some occasions this was the only sound, and it was quite unique. It occurs to me that you might not hear that sound again (on such a scale anyway.)
On my blog, Mark Mayerson identified two others Dik Purdom forgot: The leftmost man, wearing the tie and glasses, is animator Jeff Short. To the right of Jeff, behind the woman wearing the dark top, is Canadian animator Greg Duffell
Greg Duffell, on my blog, identifies almost everyone in the photo, including the boy:
Back row from left:
Inbetweener Geoff Adams, unknown (perhaps assistant editor), trainee inbetweener John McCartney, Assistant director, designer, layout artist and technical director Mr. Roy Naisbitt, animator Russell Hall, editor Roy Howick
Next row forward: Junior Animator Jeff Short, trainee inbetweener Greg Duffell, Animator Tony White, Animation legend Mr. Grim Natwick, Illustration legend Mr. Rowland B. Wilson, Senior animator Mr. Sergio Simonetti, Executive Producer Brian Lewis, Executive Secretary Lesley Silver, Lettering artist and animator Mr. Raymond Guillemet.
Next row forward: Effects animator Chris Knott, Assistant animator Bella Bremner, Animation legend Mr. Ken Harris, visiting student Jonathan Dean, trainee inbetweener Tass Hesom, animator Bill Rhodes, composer Howard Blake
Front row: Legendary animator Mr. Richard Williams, Top assistant animator and animator Richard Burdett, Legendary animator Mr. Arthur Babbitt, Executive secretary Carol Stallings and Dick’s right hand man and animator Mr. Richard Purdum.
Great to see! Was Jill Thomas at the studio at the time? And what about Tony Cope and Teddy Hall?
Thanks for this walk down memory lane guys... great to see and hear of the names from our insane (but oh so glorious) past!
I'd actually forgotten that this pic was taken but lo and behold it must have been as there I am, fresh faced and yet somewhat hidden. I think Greg was right about the young kid at the front. My first thought was that he was another young student, Mark Hunt, but I think that was before Jonathon's time.
Anyway, it was very strange (and hugely rewarding) to meet Dick again in Redmond (near Seattle) last autumn when I presented him with the "Roy E Disney Award" at the "2D OR NOT 2D Animation Festival". We hadn't met for something like 30 years and it was a real joy to spend some time with him and Mo while he was on his DVD promotional tour. Check out the movie at... http://www.plexipixel.com/2dornot2d
Thanks again for this great blast from the past guys! :)
Tony (White) :^{)}=-
Regarding the comment about the place in Camden, was it royal college street?. I remember a young spy who's now famous in his own right, he went to London to visit his friends who were working in the chicken factory called the forum. He came out somewhat puzzled and rather desillusioned. British animation is great ...or was great rather...on the big screen...less so when u knew about the actual workering conditions. I was happy to join for a while and I was happy to leave too. Now I work in the arm industry I get a steady wage and I m happy like that.
Hello.... was someone asking about Teddy Hall? He's my cousin.... he's fine & still doing bits & pieces... If anyone needs to contact him, please email me on Dookist@gmail.com
Thanks, Lesley.
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