David Wise

In the spring of 1984, a strange new comic book sat beside cash registers in select shops, too big to fit in the racks, and too weird to ignore. Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles presented a completely original breed of super hero. It was too bizarre, too crazy. It broke all the rules and should never have worked. Until it sold out. Again and again and again. For 30 years. Now, peek under the shell and see how this so-called "happy accident" defied every naysayer to become one of the most popular and beloved franchises in the world.

A direct-to-video feature film, Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face-Off, was released in 1997. It comprises three episodes of the animated series edited into one continuous movie: The First Face-Off parts I and II, and Duck Hard.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLE fever has struck the nation! They're weird, they're wacky, and, man, are they ever hip! These HEROES IN A HALF SHELL are the latest rage among kids, teenagers, and ultra cool adults. Once common hosehold pets, they were transformed into mutants by radioactive green slime. Now, this noble foursome spreads their message of truth, justice, and a larger slice of pizza for all! Join Raphael, Donatello, Michaelangelo, and Leonardo in their very first video adventure filled with laughter, lunacy, and unbeatable fun for everyone.

Before he died, Dar's father gave a mysterious amulet to Tal, Dar's younger brother who is now king. Dar, while wandering with his animal companions, chances to meet and rescue a family who seek the help of King Tal against Lord Agon, a sorcerer who has conquered their land. Dar obtains an audience for them with Tal, who rallies his troops to march against Agon in the morning. Alas, the young king is captured by Agon's crimson warriors during the night.

Before he died, Dar's father gave a mysterious amulet to Tal, Dar's younger brother who is now king. Dar, while wandering with his animal companions, chances to meet and rescue a family who seek the help of King Tal against Lord Agon, a sorcerer who has conquered their land. Dar obtains an audience for them with Tal, who rallies his troops to march against Agon in the morning. Alas, the young king is captured by Agon's crimson warriors during the night.

Since his return as Autobot leader, Optimus Prime has had visions of an ominous event. Amassing all their forces, the Decepticons stage a final attack that leads to the planet Nebulos, where the inhabitants find a way to merge with both factions as Headmasters. The ensuing battle sees newly built Autobots and Decepticons face off in an epic battle that will decide the fate of Earth and Cybertron.

The Ninja Turtles are going out of this world. Way out! Their arch villain Shredder has concocted two new mutants and a gigantic robot to destroy the turtles. But also, a mysterious, two foot fifth turtle is following the four around. His name is Kerma and he's from Shellrelah, a turtle world. Well while the turtles are called on to help the turtle world in distress, Shredder is left to do his worst on the city. Can the green teens help their fellow alien turtles and save the city?

The first TMNT direct-to-video movie! Meet Raphael, Michaelangelo, Donatello and Leonardo, the Renaissance turtles who are fighting evil for truth, justice and a larger slice of pizza. Heroes in a half shell... Turtle Power!

The Shadow Strikers use their top secret weapon Transparium, which makes them invisible, to stop Dr. Viper and his Evil Evaders in this action-packed cartoon.

Far away, at the edge of this Galaxy, Princess Angelica and her mentor Professor T. Bird flee the wicked Dark Queen and her Beast Police. At stake is the Princess' magical amulet, which will make the Dark Queen absolute ruler of the universe - if she gets her hands on it. After landing in Oxnard, California, T. Bird finds three nerdy teens and turns them into Battletoads named Zits, Rash and Pimple! As powerful, hip, humanoid heroes with superpowers, they help thwart the Dark Queen's evil plans.

The Defenders discover part of Morocco has vanished and fight to bring it back. But what is the connection to the book Kshin is reading for school?

Wise began experimenting with animation and live-action film at the age of seven, under the tutelage of several artists and experimental filmmakers, including Len Lye, Francis Lee, and Stan VanDerBeek. Wise created dozens of brief animations using cut-outs, scratch-on-film techniques, as well as conventional cel animation. In 1963, at the age of eight, Wise released a compilation of his experiments, titled "Short Circuit". Distributed by the Filmmakers' Cooperative, "Short Circuit" was shown throughout the world, won several awards, and was the U.S. entry in the "Child & the World" festival in Czechoslovakia. Writing in the Village Voice, filmmaker and critic Jonas Mekas called Wise "the Mozart of Cinema."

Featured in Jonas Mekas' "Summing up the Year 1968." A collection of short experiments from 1963 to 1967.

The Mozart of cinema takes his final bow.