Articles on Animation &commercial animation 10 Jul 2012 04:33 am
Gifford on Animation
- The Gifford Studio, in NYC, was one of the prime boutique shops for animation from the 50s through the 80s. The studio was formed in 1958 to service Bob and Ray who hoped to dominate the Bert & Harry Piels Brothers account. Eventually, they came to feel as though there were too many bosses, and they separated. Eventually, the studio became Kim-Gifford Studio, and they continued to operate primarily as a commercial producer for many years.
Al Eugster was the permanent/on-staff animator through many of those years. You can see more photos of him at Mark Mayerson’s vital website: Eugster’s Photo Album.
I recently found this article among Vince Cafarelli’s collection of artwork. resumably, though this article was not when Vince worked at Kim-Gifford where he did the Emily Tipp series, he was interested enough to hold onto the piece. The article is from Making Films in NY, Dec.75 issue, and thought it interesting enough to post.
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on 10 Jul 2012 at 8:36 am 1.Stephen Macquignon said …
Great article it could easily been written in 2012.
on 14 Jul 2012 at 8:56 am 2.The Animation Anomaly | Animation Advice from 1975 That’s Still True Today said …
[...] Michael Sporn (whose blog I’m sure you all read daily) recently posted an article from Making FIlms in NY in which Lew Gifford discusses his small studio and some of the history behind it while discussing some of the business behind it all. Even though it was published in 1975, this particular quote is just as relevant today as it was then: That’s the reason there were periodic breakup of shops. You’d be sitting in your office and you’d hear, “Temp bit the dust,” out of nowhere. There wouldn’t be any sign, but they would have gone quietly overboard, using all their suppliers to death. Suddenly they couldn’t meet the tax call or something like that and everything would cave in. It encouraged bad business habits and I don’t think anybody in animation has been a big businessman anyway. We’re basically artists, but you have to be practical to survive. [...]
on 24 Nov 2014 at 8:27 pm 3.Scott MacDonald said …
I worked for Paul Kim and Lewis Gifford for about three years in the early 80s. They were both great guys, and though they broke up their partnership within a year of my joining them, I stayed with Lewis for a couple more years. I lost touch with both, as I was a young man in my early 20s, and didn’t see as deeply as I should have. The memories, and what I learned, and the reflections I have today, are very powerful. I saw greatness, and a change in the paradigm of NY animation and advertising. Something wonderful, was dying off. Paul and Lew, I think of you often.
on 11 Jul 2016 at 12:18 pm 4.schuyler ward said …
Re: Scott…
I am one of the grand children of Lewis Gifford, thank you for the kind words. My grandfather very sadly passed away in late 2011. He spoke highly of everyone who he worked with while working in NYC and I am sure he would have been honored to hear you still think of him.
on 03 Apr 2017 at 10:22 pm 5.Scott MacDonald said …
I just stumbled here, and saw your reply. Thank you. I think of your grandfather very often. He was a sweet, kind and generous man. I wish dearly I had a chance to reconnect, but perhaps this, is a way to make him smile.
on 13 Jun 2023 at 9:20 pm 6.Stan Fine said …
I’m trying to find Paul Kim. He was my film teacher at SVA and mentor, and over time I realized how great he was. I hope he is still with us. I have tried reaching him many times with no luck. This is the first time I have had the remote possibility of a connection.
At graduation, Paul took the class to the Gaslight club. He loved his strong tea. I hope I can have the opportunity to speak with him again. Thank him for his valuable teaching and being a special person.
on 15 Mar 2024 at 9:17 am 7.Jean Murdoch said …
Hi I am Paul’s sister…Paul passed away in 2013. He was a beautiful talent and thank you for remembering him. He and his talent will be missed.