DUNNING, George

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Birth/Death

Birth:  November 17, 1922, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Death: February 15, 1979, London, England.


Occupation/Title

Director, Producer, Animator


Bio Summary

George Dunning is accredited with many accomplishments but, he is mostly known for his work on The Beatle's animation, The Yellow Submarine. He had joined the National Film Board of Canada in 1943 after studying at the Ontario School of Arts. He directed his first film that same year called Aupres de ma Blonde. It was until he made Cadet Roussele in 1947 that he began to become more recognized in the industry. The film used a new technique where he used flat metal figures. Treated as they were almosts as puppets. After completing this he began to experiment more with painted designs onto glass, this technique would soon become one of his favorites techniques. Then in 1949 he returned to Canada and recieved a grant from the NFB to continue his experiments. It is here he formed a company called Graphic Associates with Jim Mckay, and began to to generate comercials and industrial spots that would fund his company. After working on a television show Gerald McBoingBoing television show in New York, he came to London and after doing a flop he was able to set up T.V. Cartoons. Many talented people who were working with him on the T.V. cartoons were Richard Williams and Teru Murakami. Short films that he created during this time included Mother's Pride bread, Start-Rite shoes, even Mentholatum Deep-Heat-Rub - Dunning then became inspired to create his own shorts starting with The Wardrobe in 1958. As Dunning began to experiment more and more he began to modify his style even more Dunning began to favor lean lines and spare backgrounds. With more experimentation he created another film, The Apple (1962), in which he won and Academy award. In 1962 he created The Flying Man, in this film he went back to his experimental days and animated through loose watercolour brushstrokes floating in space without any defining lines. Then with his next short, The Ladder in 1967, he further developed the brushstroke technique in a story with 'eternal triangle' theme. During his time making his personal shorts, he was able to create 100 comercials a year in the '60s, along with eight films for the National Coal Board's work safety campaign. Soon his managerial skills were also tested with The Beatles and Cool McCool. Dunnings soon began to rise to the top and his techniques with The Yellow Submarine were becoming widely known. After doing several other animations Dunning began to do plans for Shakespeare's The Tempest. Though dunning was ill and Died in London leaving Tempest unfinished.


Early Life/Family

Education/Training

Career Outline

Comments On Style

Influences

Personality

Anecdotes

Miscellaneous

Filmography

Chants populaires nº 2 (1944)
Chants populaires nº 3 (1944)
Chants populaires nº 4 (1944)

Grim Pastures (1944) 

Keep Your Mouth Shut (1944) (animator) 

The Three Blind Mice (1945)

Cadet Rousselle (1947)

Family Tree (1950) 
... aka Arbre généalogique, L' (Canada: French title) 

The Apple (1959)

The Flying Man (1962) 

A Shot in the Dark (1964) (animation director) (uncredited) 
"The Beatles" (1965) TV Series
Yellow Submarine (1968)

The Beatles Mod Odyssey (1968) (voice) .... Himself

Honors

Annie Award: Winsor McCay Award 1993


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Bibliographic References

Contributors To This Listing
Amunoz

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