MOVEMENTS IN MOTION: The Transitional Evolution of Animation Artistry & Technology.
Award-winning author, historian, filmmaker, and preeminent expert on women in early animation, Johnson’s groundbreaking book, Ink & Paint –The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation, (Disney Editions) redefines our collective history. This essential volume casts a light on the thousands of unsung female artists behind the creative and technical advances within the animated art form.
Recipient of the 2023 ASIFA June-Foray “Annie” Award, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences – AMPAS/Oscars.org Film Scholar Award, along with the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Educators Forum Grant, Mindy’s research continues into the earliest women of animation with several forthcoming books and film projects. Most notably, she recently unearthed the oldest-surviving hand-drawn animated and directed films by a woman. This game-changing discovery of Bessie Mae Kelley and her early work at the dawn of animation redefines the established understanding of our collective past. Kelley’s restored films debuted in their World Premiere at the Academy Motion Picture Museum in Los Angeles – 100 years after their creation.
Mindy’s young-reader volume entitled, Pencils, Pens & Brushes – A Great Girls’ Guide to Disney Animation, (Disney Press) celebrates the contributions of 20 remarkable women within early Disney animation and is a treasure for all ages. Hercritically acclaimed debut, Tinker Bell – An Evolution (Disney Editions) was honored with rare consecutive Family Choice Awards, and she is a contributing writer for the epic volume, The Walt Disney Film Archives –The Animated Movies 1921-1968, (Taschen); as well as the celebrated collection, Marc Davis: Walt Disney’s Renaissance Man, (Disney Editions).
A sought-after commentator, speaker, lecturer and panelist, Mindy explores a wide range of subjects within her presentations and appearances at numerous studios, campuses, international festivals, and conferences including: The Smithsonian Speakers Series, The Pordenone Silent Film Festival (Italy), Hippfest (Scotland), Ottawa International Animation Festival, NAFF Festival-Bosnia Herzegovina, Lucasfilm, Dreamworks, TCM ClassicFilm Festival, Film Forum-NYC, D23 Expo, ABC-Network Specials, San Diego ComiCon, CTN Expo, World Animation Festival and more. She has written for numerous international publications and produced record-breaking global campaigns for the film industry.
Mindy’s creative work extends to a wide range of film projectsincluding associate producing the award winning documentary Pencils vs. Pixels(2023), and creative work for a growing list of clients, including: AMPAS/Oscars.org, TCM/Turner Broadcasting, WNET/American Masters, SPARK Animation Fest-Vancouver, The Walt Disney Family Museum, The Walt Disney Company, HoriPro Entertainment, Pixar Studios, StageNine Exhibitions, Sony Animation, Primary Wave, SiriusXM Radio and more.
In addition to a background in network television and film production, Mindy is also an award-winning playwright, Grammy-nominated songwriter, musician, and a contributing artist on several internationally acclaimed recordings. When she isn’t speaking, researching, or writing on a myriad of subjects, Mindy also teaches film/animation studies, women’s animation history, screenwriting & intercultural film at CalArts, UCLA and other campuses in Southern CA, as well as Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA.
MOVEMENTS IN MOTION
The Transitional Evolution of Animation Artistry & Technology
w/ Mindy Johnson
For centuries, artists and their tools have evolved to meet creative, economic and technological demands in bringing their visions and stories to life. Throughout the course of its brief history, the animated artform has endured continual transitions as it developed into the powerhouse industry it is today. Yet, with entirely new creative horizons ahead, questions loom large on where we’re headed and what’s next for the animated artform. Join award-winning author/historian Mindy Johnson for a revealing look into where our animated past might hold a few answers to enlighten, inform and define our animated future.
www.mindyjohnsoncreative.com