Read More: Don Hertzfeldt’s Stick Figures at 20
Oscar-nominated animator Don Hertzfeldt is the DIY genius behind animations such as Rejected, The Meaning of Life and It’s Such a Beautiful Day. His lo-fi, yet visionary, cartoons have had an indelible impact on audiences across the world, predicting and shaping the postmodern, nihilistic comedy of the memes and viral videos that followed.
In anticipation of our special screening of REJECTED at 20 this Friday, February 21 at the AFS Cinema with Don Hertzfeldt present and talking at length about his body of work, we take you through the evolution of Hertzfeldt’s films and the constant cultural impact the animator has made ever since his 2000 breakout film REJECTED. (including a bonus interview with Hertzfeldt by our very own AFS Lead Programmer Lars Nilsen):
HERTZFELDT INTERVIEWED IN TEXAS MONTHLY (https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/don-hertzfeldts-the-end-of-the-world/)
This 2019 article is a must-read for both Hertzfeldt fans and aspiring animators who wish to understand his creative process.
‘THE SIMPSONS’ INTRO (https://www.indiewire.com/2014/09/what-you-need-to-know-about-don-hertzfeldt-the-animator-behind-that-brilliant-disturbing-simpsons-couch-gag-125758/)
For the memorable 25th season premiere of The Simpsons, Hertzfeldt was commissioned to produce an extended credits intro, in a rare break from the show’s tradition. This review from Indiewire introduces the wider public to Hertzfeldt’s work and contextualizes his subversive approach to the beloved couch gag.
CONFESSIONS FROM DON HERTZFELDT IN VICE MAGAZINE
(https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/4xqa8p/10-confessions-from-rejected-cartoons-animator-don-hertzfeldt)
If you’re interested in how to sell an independent short film or how Hertzfeldt collaborates with his niece on his films, then these Confessions are for you. Candid, honest and quirky, Hertzfeldt’s thoughts and observations are sure to leave you spellbound.
LARS NILSEN INTERVIEW WITH HERTZFELDT
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iae8jkV34AE)
Don Hertzfeldt. Long-haired Lars Nilsen. Alamo Drafthouse. Nuff’ said.
