Last October, eleven independent animators met in a large Chelsea loft. Eleven went in, “Avoid Eye Contact” came out. “Avoid Eye Contact” is a DVD containing the best independent films from New York City’s thriving, but elusive animation scene. This DVD is the first product of an inspired group of artists, whose vision goes even further.The films on this volume span the last decade of NYC animation. Young animators join

seasoned masters in a program that is surely to become an important part of any animation enthusiast’s library. Included are legendary animators such as George Griffin and Academy Award nominees Bill Plympton and John Dilworth. These masters are accompanied by industry heavy weights such as John Schnall and Patrick Smith, and the latest up and coming animators like Mike Overbeck and Jesse Schmal, and the list continues.

The DVD contains an unprecedented number of short films, as well as individually designed menus, and a vast array of special features. In addition to the films, each artist contributed behind the scenes, commentary, or pencil tests, giving the viewer a rare insight into the artist’s thoughts and methods. In total,17 films are included on the DVD. The content varies from dark humor(John Scnalls films) to violence(“Delivery” by Patrick Smith), from sex (such as Bill Plymptons or Signe Baumanes films) to innocence (“Little Routine” by George Griffin). But holding the DVD together is a personal charm and soulful design that bears the marks of an inspired group of artists. “Avoid Eye Contact” is less of a DVD collection and more of a beginning to an urban animation movement. At a time when the big studios are abandoning traditional animation, these NYC artists seem to know exactly where they’re going.

Overwhelmingly 2-D in technique, there is still a sprinkling of computer-based films. “Tongues and Taxis” the award winning short by Mike Overbeck was produced using the programs Maya and Flash. The film festival favorite “Drink” by Patrick Smith was drawn traditionally, but colorized using a computer, as are most traditionally drawn films these days. “Box Factory” by Fran Krause is a thought provoking 3D short. The message seems to be that New York City animators are not concerned with trends in technology, focusing more on individual flare and original aesthetic. But technological savvy does not escape these Gotham artists, artistically as well as commercially.

Beyond the art form, “Avoid Eye Contact” is truly visionary in terms of commercial distribution. Animator Signe Baumane states, “The entire production of this DVD has been done by the animators themselves” she continues, “The look and quality of this volume would not have been possible without the animators taking complete control”. The artist-run website www.squarefootagefilms.com features in depth information about each animator, as well as a convenient on-line store for purchasing the DVD and other products. The animators have named their distribution hub Square Footage Films, an ode to the perpetual urban plight, and have already garnered several other distributions deals worldwide. “Obviously it would take more than one DVD to survey the best of New York Animation” adds Baumane, “we’re currently curating Volume II, as well as three other animation compilations”.

New York City is a place of constant change, invention and chaos; “Avoid Eye Contact” sums up these urban qualities in animated terms”, Patrick Smith notes, “As animators, we tend to live hand to mouth in one of the most expensive cities in the world, we find ways to produce our films within those restrictions, and that fact underlies every NYC film you see”.

It seems “Avoid Eye Contact” is a beginning to something big for independent animation, and New York is the place to start it. No other city can claim such an overwhelming number of independent animated shorts, each with a distinct look, which is united only by genre and the gritty soul of New York City.

“To say this is a must-have is an understatement… with Roy Disney gone, this kind of material will be harder to come by. I highly recommend it”
-Jerry Beck, Author, Animation Historian

This collection is really outstanding, much better than Spike and Mike’s shows! The bonus material really added to my enjoyment and understanding of the artists.
-Karl Cohen, President ASIFA San Francisco

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