– After seeing Ray Kosarin‘s film Uncle, a couple of years ago, I could only say that I was ecstatic that finally someone had made a REAL political cartoon that stated a REAL opinion. (It also helped that I agreed with the opinion.)

It wasn’t like the JibJab let’s-laugh-at-everyone’s-expense-without-stomping-on-any-feet kinda film. Ray had something to say; he said it with humor, but he pointedly told what he saw. A political cartoon in the best sense. Jay Leno isn’t going to show his film.

Ray Kosarin has worked within the New York Industry for years. He started out in my studio and animated brilliantly on many of my half hour films. He directed on MTV’s Daria, Beavis & Butthead and spent a bit of time at the Mutant Ninja Turtles. It’s exceptional that he did this political film in his nights and weekends, and you can see the high cost of production on the screen as this short plays. It’s not a second-rate Flash piece but a REAL animated film, and it employed many key animation people in town.

Now that Uncle has been picked up by local PBS outlet Thirteen’s ReelNY series which highlights independent filmmaking, it means that you can watch a clip on line as well as view an interview with Ray. Here’s a working animator who put a lot of his own money on the table to make a serious and dark political commentary. He hired a lot of friends to help, and made a first rate film. You should check it out, if only to support this type of filmmaking. The political statement is also high reason to see the film. If you have access to ReelNY on the East coast, keep your eye out for it. (I’ll definitely give a heads up when it’s about to air. It’s a work well done.

I’ve asked Ray to share some of the art from the film, and he sent me these stills and storyboard drawings. He deserves as much attention as he can get.


(Click any image on screen to enlarge.)

_Still(s) from UNCLE, animated film by Ray Kosarin, © 2004 Kosarin Productions, Inc.