Philip Stapp

Animals on a farm lead a revolution against the farmers to put their destiny in their own hands. However this revolution eats their own children and they cannot avoid corruption.

Sent by the U.S. government as a participant in the Marshall Plan with a specific mission to assist the French in re-gearing their animation studios, Stapp discovered a Europe much-decimated by war, but in further danger of annihilation by nuclear weapons. Returning to the U.S., he produced this alarming-yet-hopeful film, replete with its lonely, Tanguy-inspired landscapes peopled with static figures casting long shadows across charcoal-colored plains. While taking the risk of leaning a bit toward didacticism, Stapp managed to urgently convey the thought that world destruction was not necessarily inevitable, provided that people embrace, rather than reject their cultural and racial differences. ‘Picture’ is a unique document resulting from the sometimes dreamy, sometimes nightmarish vision of the artist in a war-torn land, with the spectre of death hovering ever-so-slightly ahead.

This film illustrates the basic facts of human reproduction shown through the lives of a young farm couple with one child.

A survey of early African civilizations. Imaginative maps by Philip Stapp set the scene for live photography of the ancient kingdoms of Kush, Axum, Ghana, Mali, Songhai and the dramatic stone ruins of Zimbabwe. The exciting art of Benin and Ashanti allow the viewer to compare ancient Africa with life today. Archaeologist at work help raise questions about who the ancient Africans were and how they lived. Consultant, Richard Ford, Professor of African History, Clark University.

An animated short outlining the problems with alcohol consumption.

Uses animated and live-action sequences to provide a factual analysis of the looming water shortage in industrialized countries, and the ecological hazards implied for the world as the problem reaches a crisis stage.

"Stapp was one of the greatest animators working in the 1950-1975 era, using stylized, often pointillist abstract imagery, in a floating world sometimes surrealist, at other times reminiscent of Japanese "ukiyo-e" illustration. His spectacular 'Symmetry' is his greatest film, a fantasy of dancing images breaking apart, spinning, and converging." -Academic Film Archive of North America

This funny animated short, a cynical look at the excesses of commercialism in city and town planning, was produced at Ohio State University.

Colorful animation, based on pre-Columbian Indian designs, surveys the religious beliefs and practices of the Indians of Central America before the arrival of Columbus. Utilizing pointillist, abstract, and multiplanar split-image figures, Stapp describes Mayan and Aztec cultures, unfolding in codex-like form, accompanied by ethno-concrète music by Thomas Wagner & Arthur Burrows.

An animated film opening with a description of the life of Christ based upon the Apostles' Creed. The remainder of the film is an application of the Christian faith, interpreting stewardship as it relates to contemporary life.

A three-minute fantasy of butterflies and dragonflies cavorting amongst the pussywillows, Japanese-inspired animation accompanied by two variations on keyboard works by the Baroque composer.

One of the first American film introductions to Israel, this vitally interesting country - both objective and thought-provoking. Philip Stapp's animation carries us back 3000 years into Biblical times. Modern photography takes us into Israel, facing its new challenges, through 1964, as seen through the daily lives of several Israeli families.

Presents highlights of Chinese history, focusing on major dynasties. Relates eminent achievements of each period to the present. Tells of the influence of ancient Chinese tradition on contemporary Chinese life-styles. Winner of the Chris Award.

This outstanding cartoon successfully combines a social message with unique color animation, provocative commentary and a distinguished musical score.

Stapp's pointillist style here has matured since the first of the series, done in 1969. Here, he also makes extensive use of parallel images converging and diverging on the multi-plane camera.