David Pagano

A diverse compilation of short animations from NYC's popular festival, Animation Block Party.

Through nine feature films, an Emmy-award-winning TV show, and thousands of television commercials, Ernest P. Worrell became a beloved comedy icon. Originally created as an advertising character, Ernest transcended these humble beginnings to become an unexpected hit—given life through the creativity of an indispensable team of artists, as well as through the unparalleled talent of actor Jim Varney. Today, two decades after Varney’s death, both Ernest and Jim seem to endure largely as pop culture footnotes; or worse, as easy punchlines. But there’s more to Ernest than that, and this documentary film will guide viewers through the entire Ernest epoch to examine the shelf life of a phenomenon. Using archival footage, cast and crew interviews, and never-before-seen material, we will seek to answer the questions: “Who was Ernest, who was Jim Varney, how did they relate, and why do they both mean so much to people?”

Little Guys! is a 2007 brickfilm by David Pagano. It is a faux-commercial made in the style of a 1980s toy commercial advertising a fictional toy known as Little Guys. The film is known for featuring large brick-built puppets instead of the typical LEGO minifigure. It premiered at the Spring Animation Showcase at NYU Tisch School of the Arts on May 3, 2007.