Debra Solomon

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Debra Solomon
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Animator, director, illustrator, author, producer
Known for Lizzie McGuire, Everybody's Pregnant, My Kingdom, Mrs. Matisse
Website debrasolomon.com

Debra Solomon is an American filmmaker, animator, illustrator, and author known best for being the animation supervisor and creator of the animated Lizzie from the Disney Channel show Lizzie McGuire (2001–2003). She has made a variety of short films, animated sketches, and title sequences since 1994. Many of her films focus on the struggles of womanhood and emphasizing the female identity with empowering images. [1]

Contents

Biography

Solomon's interest in film and animation began when she studied illustration at Pratt University. Once she completed her studies, Solomon became a freelance illustrator and later an animator. [2] While drafting her first production, Mrs. Matisse (1994), Solomon continued to illustrate and produced several books. [2]

Solomon has also curated festival programs at the ASIFA-East Animation Festival where she has presented her work. She is a board member for the ASIFA-East, as well as a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and New York Women in Film and Television. [3]

Career

Solomon began her career as an animator with her debut short film Mrs. Matisse (1994). Everybody's Pregnant (1998) was Solomon's next film, cited by Solomon as the film that allowed her to find her artistic voice. [2] Many of her films are animated musicals, with themes of turning bad situations into humorous ones. [1] Solomon writes and performs original music for her productions.

Solomon contributed to the television show Lizzie McGuire (2001–2004), designing the animated counterpart of the show's title character. [4] Solomon is credited as the creator and animation supervisor for the animated representation of Lizzie throughout the show.

After working for Disney, Solomon composed independent films over multiple years. These films were edited together as a 30-minute special on HBO titled Getting Over Him in 8 Songs or Less (2010). Solomon's most recent film is My Kingdom (2014), a short film about personal space and finding comfort in crowded areas of a busy city.

Filmography

Awards and nominations

[ clarification needed ]

YearPresenterAwardFilm
1994 Annecy Film Festival Best Sound TrackMrs. Matisse
Giovani Leoni PrizeSpecial Jury Award
1995ASIFA-EastBest Entry
1997ASIFA-EastAnimation Award for Best Commercial FilmThe Parable of the Clown
1998World Animation FestivalSpecial Jury AwardEverybody's Pregnant
Saint Barbara International Film FestivalThe Bruce Corwin Award for Best Animated Short
Aspen Short Film FestivalSpecial Jury Award
New Haven Film FestivalFirst Place Audience Award
Sydney Film Festival First Place Short Film Category
Palm Springs Film Festival First Place Audience Award
Russian Film FestivalAnimation Recognition Award
I Castelli AnimatiSpecial Jury Award
New York Shorts Film FestivalBest Animated Short Film
Greece International Film FestivalBest Film - Dionysus Award
ASIFA-EastBest Entry in Commercial FilmsThe Parable of the Clown
2004ASIFA-EastAnimation Award - Best Commercial FilmThe Blind Men and the Elephant
2014 Woodstock Film Festival NY Best Animated ShortMy Kingdom

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References

  1. 1 2 Bendazzi, Giannalberto (2016). Animation: A World History: Volume III: Contemporary Times. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. p. 39. ISBN   978-1-138-85482-6.
  2. 1 2 3 Chimovitz, Melissa (May 1998). "Declaration of Independents: Independent Animation is Alive and Well in New York". Animation World Magazine. 3 (2). Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  3. "About Us". ASIFA-East. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  4. Robinson, Chris. "From Matisse to McGuire: An Interview with Debra Solomon". Animation World News. Retrieved 18 October 2016.