Michael Sporn Animation – Splog

- This past Friday we celebrated Heidi’s birthday in my studio. It marked the first party in the newish studio. (Actually, we’ve already been here for three plus years. It’s hard to believe.)
Some of my favorite people in the New York animation scene came out in the cold as well as a number of Heidi’s friends. I like posting the pictures here rather than on Flickr. It makes this blog a bit more personal.
(Click on any image to enlarge.)

Instead of gifts everyone was asked to bring a hand-drawn card. Easy for artists, but some of the most inventive and fun were from the non-artists. I may post a couple with Heidi’s permission in the next week.

The most amazing to me was a cel Tissa David gave her from a UPA short. It’s a beauty of a Taurean bull floating in the star filled sky. Its paper matte has printed on it “A UPA cel.”

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1. production coordinator/BG artist Adrian Urquidez (blowing a kiss to the camera) and Heidi.
2. ASIFA East Pres/animation Director Dave Levy and companion Debbie talk to designer/BG artist Jason McDonald.

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3. Dominik Spitol (Masako’s husband), Adrian Urquidez, animation producer Masako Kanayama, and animator Matt Clinton.
4. Adrian Urquidez, Jason McDonald, editor Paul Carillo, Heidi Stallings, and Matthew Clinton.

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5. The food line (L to R): Adrian Urquidez, Jason McDonald, artist Ken Brown, Master Animator Tissa David, Chuck (Candy’s companion).
6. Chuck, animation director/producer Candy Kugel (partially hidden) Debbie, Dave Levy.

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7. Candy Kugel, Tissa David, Joe Kennedy (John Canemaker’s companion), independent animator/author John Canemaker and animator John Dilworth.
8. Candy Kugel, Joe Kennedy, John Canemaker and John Dilworth

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9. Dominick Spitol, artist Steve MacQuignon, Masako Kanayama.
10. Paul Carrillo, independent animator Lisa Crafts and actress Eileen Tepper

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11. John Dilworth avoids the food by wearing a painted veil.
12. Eileen Tepper, Heidi and writer Jane Stouffer

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13. animator Ray Kosarin, Dominick Spitol, clay animator Jimmy Picker, Lorna (Paul’s companion) and Paul Carrillo.
14. Paul Carrillo and writer Jerry Rosco (my brother) stand in front. In back L to R:John Canemaker, Dave Levy (behind Paul), Debbie, Jason McDonald, Tissa David and Lisa Crafts.

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15. Heidi talking with friend Jane Stouffer
16. Actor Joel Briel (behind stanchion), Heidi and Jane.

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17. Joe Kennedy (in background) Adrian Urquidez (in foreground)
18. Steve MacQuignon (in background) Dave Levy (in foreground)

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19. Dave, Steve MacQuignon (partially hidden), Debbie, Masako, Matt, animation director Ray Kosarin (arm over face) and Dominick
20. Candy, Matt, Dave and Debbie

21. The card that everyone signed for Heidi. (Note that there are a number of others not photographed – such as Signe Bauman and Debby Solomon. Apologies to them, but I got lazy with the camera after a bit.)
22. The physical remains.

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