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David Silverman (animator)

{{short description|American animator and director}}

{{Use American English|date=November 2022}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}

{{Infobox writer

| image = File:David Silverman with a fan.jpg

| alt = A white male with a grey beard smiles at the viewer

| caption = Silverman at 2023 SPARKCG

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|3|15}}

| birth_place = Long Island, New York, U.S.

| occupation = Television/film writer and director

| genre = Comedy and fantasy

| education = {{plainlist|

}}

}}

David Silverman (born March 15, 1957){{cite web |title=David Silverman |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/522024%7C0/David-Silverman/#biography |website=Turner Classic Movies |access-date=August 3, 2022}} is an American animator who has directed numerous episodes of the animated television series The Simpsons, as well as its 2007 film adaptation. Silverman was involved with the series from the very beginning, animating all of the original short Simpsons cartoons that aired on The Tracey Ullman Show. He went on to serve as director of animation for several years. He also did the animation for the 2016 film The Edge of Seventeen, which was produced by Gracie Films.

Early life and career

Silverman was born to a Jewish family[https://www.jewishtampa.com/jews-in-the-news/jews-in-the-news-oscar-time Tampa Jewish Federation "Jews in the News: Oscar Time!"] retrieved March 19, 2017 on Long Island, New York.{{cite web|last=Silverman|first=David|title=Nominated for: Animated Short for "Maggie Simpson in 'The Longest Daycare' "|url=http://cdn.media.oscar.abc.com/media/2013/pdf/nominees/animatedshort-longestdaycare-davidsilverman.jpg|work=85th Academy Awards Nominee Questionnaire|publisher=The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|access-date=February 27, 2013|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921082112/http://cdn.media.oscar.abc.com/media/2013/pdf/nominees/animatedshort-longestdaycare-davidsilverman.jpg|url-status=dead}} His father, Joseph Silverman, was a chemical engineering professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, for over 30 years.{{cite web |title=Clark School of Engineering Professor Joseph Silverman Remembered |url=https://mse.umd.edu/news/story/clark-school-of-engineering-professor-joseph-silverman-remembered |website=A. James Clark School of Engineering}}{{Cite tweet |user=Tubatron |number=1198663976411967493 |title=On Nov 6, 2019, 1 day after his 97th birthday, Prof. Joe Silverman exchanged this life for the next. A good long life, nearly a century, my dad was in pretty decent health - he just ran out of time. So long dear ol' Dad & thanks for the laffs and love.}} He grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, and attended the University of Maryland for two years, focusing on art. He then attended UCLA and majored in animation.{{Cite web |url=http://www.uclalumni.net/ClubsComm/ProfessionalAcademic/TFTAN/list.html |title=TFTAN - UCLA School of The Theater, Film and Television Alumni Network |access-date=January 19, 2007 |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720140147/http://www.uclalumni.net/ClubsComm/ProfessionalAcademic/TFTAN/list.html |url-status=usurped }}

Early in his career with The Simpsons, he was a subject on the December 26, 1990, episode (#83) of To Tell the Truth.[http://tttt.home.att.net/tttt90guide.html To Tell The Truth: 1990-91 Episode Guide] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209024636/http://tttt.home.att.net/tttt90guide.html |date=February 9, 2009 }}

''The Simpsons''

Silverman is largely credited with creating most of the "rules" for drawing The Simpsons. He is frequently called upon to animate difficult or especially important scenes, becoming go-to in Season 2 when he animated the first of Homer's many "rants, freak-outs, and heart attacks".{{cite news|last=Du Vernay|first=Denise|title=Best 'Simpsons' Moments: Castmembers Share Their Favorite Contributions to Celebrate the 500th Episode|url=http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2012/02/simpsons_talent_share_their_fa.php|newspaper=OC Weekly|date=February 14, 2012|access-date=May 5, 2012|archive-date=February 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217014933/http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2012/02/simpsons_talent_share_their_fa.php|url-status=dead}} He appeared during the end credits of the Simpsons episode "Goo Goo Gai Pan" giving a quick method of drawing Bart, and is a frequent participant on the Simpsons DVD audio commentaries. A cartoon rendering of him can be seen in "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show", where he is the animator who draws Poochie (along with renderings of other Simpsons staffers). He was once credited as Pound Foolish as the director of the episode "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular".{{IMDb name|798899}}

Silverman is also the director of The Simpsons Movie, which was released July 27, 2007. He originally left The Simpsons during the production of its ninth season to direct additional sequences for The Road to El Dorado for DreamWorks Animation alongside Will Finn. Some of his other film work includes Monsters, Inc. for Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar, for which he was a co-director (alongside Lee Unkrich). He is currently a consulting producer and occasional director. He also worked on the animated films Ice Age, Robots, and Looney Tunes: Back in Action.

In 2012, Silverman directed the theatrical short The Longest Daycare starring Maggie Simpson, released in front of Ice Age: Continental Drift. The short was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. He also directed the follow-up theatrical short Playdate with Destiny in 2020, released in front of Onward.

=Episodes directed by Silverman=

=Episodes written by Silverman=

Style

{{BLP unreferenced section|date=November 2020}}

Silverman's direction and animation is known for its energy, sharp timing, adventurous use of design elements and often complex acting, involving expressions and poses which are often quixotic, emotionally specific or highly exaggerated.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} It frequently recalls the works of Ward Kimball, Tex Avery, Bob Clampett and Chuck Jones.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} His most prolific period of work on The Simpsons can be roughly categorized as beginning with the "Tracey Ullman" episodes and ending in or around season eight of the series, for which he animated Homer's psychedelic dream in "El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage of Homer)". Other representative examples of Silverman's work on The Simpsons include Homer's histrionic, spasmodic heart attack in "Homer's Triple Bypass", Homer's demented hysterics over the iconic painting of poker-playing canines in "Treehouse of Horror IV" and subsequent turn as an even-more-deranged appropriation of Jack Nicholson's character from "The Shining" in "Treehouse of Horror V", and Homer's over-the-top sugar diatribe from "Lisa's Rival".

Filmography

=Television=

class="wikitable"
Year

! Title

! Director

! Writer

! Producer

! Storyboard
Artist

! Animator

! Other

! Notes

1984

| Turbo Teen

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

|

1987–89

| The Tracey Ullman Show

| {{Partial}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| Segment Director: "The Simpsons" Shorts

1989–present

| The Simpsons

| {{Yes}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{Yes}}

| Supervising Director (seasons 1–8, 16–17), Consulting Producer, Executive Consultant (season 9), Title Designer,
Character Layout Artist, Storyboards, Storyboard Consultant, Storyboard Revisions,
Main Title Designer, Background Designer, Additional Voices, Song Lyrics: "Spider-Pig"

1994–95

| The Critic

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Visual Design

1995

| Eek! The Cat

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Partial|Executive}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Creator, Executive Producer, Voice of John Heap (Klutter! segment)

1997

| Teen Angel

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Creative Consultant

2001

| Rugrats

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

|

2014

| Family Guy

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Special Thanks (Episode: "The Simpsons Guy")

2015

| House of Lies

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Himself

2017

| Party Legends

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

|

2018

| Super Slackers{{Cite web|last1=Sokol|first1=Tony|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/culture/super-slackers-exclusive-clip-from-simpsons-animators-new-show-on-420tv/|title=Super Slackers: Exclusive Clip from Simpsons Animator's New Show on 420TV|website=Den of Geek|date=December 7, 2017|access-date=March 22, 2021|archive-date=July 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716064849/https://www.denofgeek.com/culture/super-slackers-exclusive-clip-from-simpsons-animators-new-show-on-420tv/|url-status=dead}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{Yes|Executive}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

2020–2022

| Duncanville

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes|Consulting}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

2022

| Werewolf by Night

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Actor (The Flaming Tuba)

=Feature films=

class="wikitable"
Year

! Title

!Director

!Story Artist

!Animator

!Other

! Notes

1986

| One Crazy Summer

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

|

1991

| The Dark Backward

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Creator: "Blumps" concept

1993

| RoboCop 3

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Director: "Johnny Rehab" commercial

2000

| The Road to El Dorado

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Additional Sequences Director

2001

| Monsters, Inc.

| {{Partial|Co-Director}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Additional Story Material, CDA

2002

| Ice Age

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Story Consultant

rowspan=2 | 2003

| Confessions of a Burning Man{{cite news|last1=Vice|first1=Jeff|url=https://www.deseret.com/2004/1/7/20090425/film-review-confessions-of-a-burning-man|title=Film review: Confessions of a Burning Man|work=Deseret News|date=January 7, 2004|access-date=March 22, 2021}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Additional Cinematographer; Documentary

Looney Tunes: Back in Action

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Animation Consultant

2005

| Robots

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

2007

| The Simpsons Movie

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

2014

| Such Good People

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Personal Thanks

2015

| Love

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Grateful Thanks

2016

| The Edge of Seventeen

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

|

2021

| Extinct

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Voices of Cyclops / Donut Store Clerk

==Short films==

class="wikitable"
Year

! Title

!Director

!Screenwriter

!Story Artist

!Animator

!Other

!Notes

1979

| Tom Waits for No One

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

|

rowspan=2 | 1982

| Luau

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Special Thanks

The Strange Case of Mr. Donnybrook's Boredom{{cite web|title=Preserved Projects|url=https://www.oscars.org/academy-film-archive/preserved-projects?title=THE+STRANGE+CASE+OF+MR.+DONNYBROOK%27S+BOREDOM&filmmaker=&category=All&collection=All|website=Academy Film Archive}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{Yes}}

| Layout Artist, Ink Artist, Background Artist

1987

| Propagandance

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes|Assistant}}

| {{No}}

|

2002

| Mike's New Car

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Special Thanks

2011

| Night of the Little Dead

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| Tuba Player

2012

| The Longest Daycare

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

rowspan=2 | 2016

| Bouncing Blunders

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| rowspan=2 | Special Thanks

Duhkha

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

2020

| Playdate with Destiny

| {{Yes}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

rowspan="5" | 2021

|The Force Awakens from Its Nap

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

The Good, the Bart, and the Loki

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

The Simpsons Balenciaga

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

Plusaversary

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

Te Deseo Lo Mejor

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

rowspan="3" | 2022

| When Billie Met Lisa

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

Welcome to the Club

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

The Simpsons Meet the Bocellis in "Feliz Navidad"

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

2023

| Rogue Not Quite One

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

rowspan="2" | 2024

| May the 12th Be with You

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes}}

| {{No}}

| {{No}}

|

''Klutter!''

Silverman worked with Savage Steve Holland to create Klutter! for Fox Kids. It was produced by Fox Kids Company, Savage Studios Ltd, and Film Roman. It was part of Eek! Stravaganza in the fourth season of the 1995–96 season where he voiced John Heap. It lasted eight episodes from September 9, 1995, to April 14, 1996.

Campus tours

Silverman has toured many college campuses, speaking about his experiences as an animator and longtime Simpsons director and producer.[http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/david.silverman.html The Simpsons Archive: David Silverman's Chat] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926222859/http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/david.silverman.html |date=September 26, 2007 }} He describes his early experiences in the animation field, working on shows such as Turbo Teen and Mister T. He goes on to say that at the point he considered leaving animation to devote his time to cartoon illustration, he took a job animating on The Tracey Ullman Show. He has pointed out that he and his fellow animators Wes Archer and Bill Kopp first started animating The Simpsons shorts on March 23, 1987.

Silverman then elaborates on Simpsons production, the evolution of the show and its characters, and various show facts and trivia. He may show animatics, deleted scenes, and favorite scenes and sequences, while giving background information. He closes by hand-drawing character sketches before the audience.

Music

Silverman plays the tuba and has performed at events like Burning Man with the Transformational All Star Fire Conclave Marching Band and on June 23, 2006, he appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, where he played his flaming sousaphone.[http://www.boingboing.net/2006/06/22/flaming_tuba_guy_dav.html Flaming Tuba guy David Silverman on NBC Tonight Show 6/23 - Boing Boing] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060703164030/http://www.boingboing.net/2006/06/22/flaming_tuba_guy_dav.html |date=July 3, 2006 }}[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4393995267364283884 David Silverman on The Tonight Show] Silverman was a member of the UCLA Bruin Marching Band Sousaphone Section in the early 1980s. He is currently a member of Los Trancos Woods Community Marching Band. In January 2009, Silverman joined the LA band Vaud and the Villains.

References

{{Reflist}}

Further reading

  • [http://www.interviewinghollywood.com/david-silverman.html David Silverman 2007 Video interview with InterviewingHollywood.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010063221/http://www.interviewinghollywood.com/david-silverman.html |date=October 10, 2007 }}
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20051130094202/http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/interviews/silverman.asp An interview with David Silverman]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/19981206081514/http://snpp.com/other/interviews/silverman98.html The Simpsons Archive interview]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20070117101931/http://media.tv.ign.com/media/823/823209/vids_1.html Video interview, Treehouse Of Horror XVII]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20071129130542/http://mediafarm.hosting.nob.nl/nob/picnic/bb.picnic_20070926_7.wmv David Silverman presentation at the PICNIC07 conference in Amsterdam, September 2007]
  • [https://www.vulture.com/2014/09/simpsons-animator-david-silverman-early-sketches.html Animator David Silverman on 8 Early and Previously Unseen Simpsons Sketches]

External links

  • {{IMDb name|0798899}}
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20071013035405/http://www.apbspeakers.com/themes/DefaultView/SpeakerPages/David%20Silverman.aspx David Silverman - Speaker Profile on APBSpeakers.com]

{{David Silverman}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Silverman, David}}

Category:1957 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century American artists

Category:20th-century American Jews

Category:21st-century American artists

Category:21st-century American Jews

Category:21st-century American male writers

Category:American animated film directors

Category:American male television writers

Category:American television directors

Category:American storyboard artists

Category:Animators from New York (state)

Category:DreamWorks Animation people

Category:Film directors from New York (state)

Category:Jewish American animators

Category:American television producers

Category:Jewish American television writers

Category:American television writers

Category:Pixar people

Category:Television producers from New York (state)

Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni

Category:University of Maryland, College Park alumni