Marv Newland, a highly acclaimed and accomplished American-Canadian filmmaker, is widely recognized for his exceptional skills and expertise in the realm of animation. Born on March 9, 1947, Newland embarked on a remarkable career in the world of animation in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, where he went on to create the iconic and enduringly popular short film, Bambi Meets Godzilla, in the year 1969.
As his illustrious career continued to unfold, Newland's remarkable talents as a designer and animator of television commercials began to shine through, showcasing his exceptional skills in crafting captivating visuals. It was during this period that he made the momentous decision to relocate to Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1970, a move that would prove to be a pivotal juncture in his professional journey.
Once settled in his new surroundings, Newland dove headfirst into a plethora of exciting projects, including his work on the iconic children's television program Sesame Street. His contributions to the show were multifaceted, as he not only designed but also animated segments for longer films, demonstrating his versatility and ability to adapt to diverse creative demands.
In addition to his work on Sesame Street, Newland also collaborated as a designer and storyboard artist on the Cinera Productions cartoon Super Joe in 1971, further solidifying his reputation as a talented and accomplished animator in his own right.
Newland's creative endeavors in the early 1970s spanned a wide range of projects, with a notable highlight being his involvement in the conception and visual storytelling of an unemployment insurance film at Crawley Films, a prominent production house based in Ottawa.
Additionally, his skills as a designer and layout artist were in high demand, as he contributed his expertise to the creation of captivating TV commercials at Phos-Cine Productions, a well-established production company with roots in New York.
As the decade progressed, Newland's career took a significant turn, as he made the bold decision to relocate to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1972. For the next two years, he honed his skills as a freelancer, working with various local animated film production companies, as well as collaborating with esteemed animation studios in Chicago and Los Angeles.
Notable animator and filmmaker, Newland, continued to nurture his creative pursuits, as he crafted engaging storyboards for the beloved animated television series Barbapapa during his tenure at Toonder Studios in the Netherlands in the year 1973. Building upon this success, he went on to establish International Rocketship Limited, a pioneering animated film production company, in the vibrant city of Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1975. Throughout his remarkable career at Rocketship, Newland demonstrated his versatility and expertise by producing and directing a diverse range of animated short films, including the critically acclaimed Sing Beast Sing, released in 1980, the thought-provoking Anijam in 1984, the whimsical Hooray for Sandbox Land in 1985, the imaginative Black Hula in 1988, the visually stunning Pink Komkommer in 1991, and the innovative Fuv in 1999.
Beyond his notable work at Rocketship, Newland engaged in a plethora of collaborative endeavors with other esteemed directors, including the Gordon Stanfield Animation (GSA) collective, and later, Danny Antonucci, renowned for his work on the 1987 animated short, Lupo the Butcher.
He also demonstrated his versatility by designing and directing the National Film Board of Canada's poignant vignette, Bill Miner, released in 1978.
Noted animation virtuoso, Newland, has made a profound impact on the world of animation, with his groundbreaking film, Anijam, being showcased in the prestigious Animation Show of Shows, a testament to his innovative storytelling and artistic vision.
Furthermore, the esteemed Academy Film Archive has taken great care in preserving several of his remarkable films, including Anijam, Bambi Meets Godzilla, and Black Hula, ensuring that future generations can continue to appreciate his remarkable contributions to the medium.
In recent years, Newland has been actively engaged in various projects, including the production of Scratchy, POSTALOLIO (2008),and Katalog Of Flaws (2019),solidifying his status as a master of his craft and cementing his legacy in the world of animation.
