Will Vinton

Directing

Will Vinton

Born — Died

1947-11-17 — 2018-10-04

Place of birth

McMinnville, Oregon, USA

Known for

Directing

Credits

47 titles

Award-winning co-director of "Closed Mondays", the first Claymation (tm) film. Will Vinton was born on November 17, 1947 in McMinnville, Oregon, USA as William Gale Vinton. He was a producer and director, known for Claymation Easter (1992), Martin the Cobbler (1977) and Moonwalker (1988). He was married to Gillian Allred and Susan Shadburne. He was a Claymation artist who coined the term. His studio created numerous Claymation characters for ads, most notably the California Raisins, which gained fame in an ad set to the Motown hit "I Heard It Through the Grapevine". He died on October 4, 2018 in Portland, Oregon.

Known for

Prisoners of Gravity poster
5.9

Prisoners of Gravity was a Canadian public broadcasting television news magazine program that explored speculative fiction — science fiction, fantasy, horror, comic books — and its relation to various thematic and social issues. Produced by TVOntario, the show was the brainchild of former comic retail manager Mark Askwith and writer Daniel Richler, and was hosted by Rick Green. The series aired 139 episodes over 5 seasons from 1989 to 1994.

Prisoners of Gravity

1989

LIGHT & MAGIC poster
7.9

When George Lucas set out to make Star Wars, little did he know he would end up revolutionizing an industry. This is the story of a team of creative geniuses who put the magic in the movies we love.

LIGHT & MAGIC

2022

Moonwalker poster
7.1

This fantastical movie inspired by the music of Michael Jackson features imaginative interpretations of hit tracks from the iconic 1987 album “Bad”.

Moonwalker

1988

The Adventures of Mark Twain poster
6.7

Based on elements from the stories of Mark Twain, this feature-length Claymation fantasy follows the adventures of Tom Sawyer, Becky Thatcher and Huck Finn as they stowaway aboard the interplanetary balloon of Mark Twain. Twain, disgusted with the human race, is intent upon finding Halley's Comet and crashing into it, achieving his "destiny." It's up to Tom, Becky, and Huck to convince him that his judgment is wrong and that he still has much to offer humanity that might make a difference. Their efforts aren't just charitable; if they fail, they will share Twain's fate. Along the way, they use a magical time portal to get a detailed overview of the Twain philosophy, observing the "historical" events that inspired his works.

The Adventures of Mark Twain

1985

Shadow Play poster
5.2

A playwright, who lost her fiance to suicide, is haunted by his spirit while staying on a remote island with his mother.

Shadow Play

1986

Remembering Return to Oz poster
NR

The gathered memories and warm recollections of the cast and crew of the 1985 Walt Disney Pictures film, RETURN TO OZ. For the first time, we get intimate details about the production of the cult classic fantasy, from such names as director Walter Murch, producers Paul Maslansky and Colin Michael Kitchens, the late Gary Kurtz, and actors Fairuza Balk, Emma Ridley, Justin Case, Pons Marr, Deep Roy and Sophie Ward.

Remembering Return to Oz

2021

Film credits

2020s · 2 titles

2010s · 2 titles

Series credits

Behind the camera

Moonwalker poster
7.1

This fantastical movie inspired by the music of Michael Jackson features imaginative interpretations of hit tracks from the iconic 1987 album “Bad”.

Moonwalker

1988

Moonwalker poster
7.1

This fantastical movie inspired by the music of Michael Jackson features imaginative interpretations of hit tracks from the iconic 1987 album “Bad”.

Moonwalker

1988

The Adventures of Mark Twain poster
6.7

Based on elements from the stories of Mark Twain, this feature-length Claymation fantasy follows the adventures of Tom Sawyer, Becky Thatcher and Huck Finn as they stowaway aboard the interplanetary balloon of Mark Twain. Twain, disgusted with the human race, is intent upon finding Halley's Comet and crashing into it, achieving his "destiny." It's up to Tom, Becky, and Huck to convince him that his judgment is wrong and that he still has much to offer humanity that might make a difference. Their efforts aren't just charitable; if they fail, they will share Twain's fate. Along the way, they use a magical time portal to get a detailed overview of the Twain philosophy, observing the "historical" events that inspired his works.

The Adventures of Mark Twain

1985

Shadow Play poster
5.2

A playwright, who lost her fiance to suicide, is haunted by his spirit while staying on a remote island with his mother.

Shadow Play

1986

Raisins Sold Out: The California Raisins II poster
7.0

This special has the band hiring a slick-talking new manager in an attempt to make a comeback. Under his guidance, the Raisins try their hand at various new musical genres, including Disco Polka, Country Rap, and Demolition Rock, to humorous effect. The group's troubles begin to manifest, however, upon the replacement of singer A.C. with their manager's young protégé

Raisins Sold Out: The California Raisins II

1990

Raisins Sold Out: The California Raisins II poster
7.0

This special has the band hiring a slick-talking new manager in an attempt to make a comeback. Under his guidance, the Raisins try their hand at various new musical genres, including Disco Polka, Country Rap, and Demolition Rock, to humorous effect. The group's troubles begin to manifest, however, upon the replacement of singer A.C. with their manager's young protégé

Raisins Sold Out: The California Raisins II

1990

Closed Mondays poster
6.2

An intoxicated man trespasses into an art gallery after hours.

Closed Mondays

1974

Mr. Resistor poster
7.9

In a basement, Mr. Resistor, who's made out of wires and spare parts, goes in search of some new arms.

Mr. Resistor

1994

God's Trombones poster
NR

A trilogy of African-American poems that applies artistic interpretation to religious parables.

God's Trombones

1981

Will Vinton's Claymation Easter poster
7.5

Claymation Easter marks the return of Wilshire Pig, with an absurd plan to kidnap the Easter Bunny just days before the holiday and launch himself as the first ever Easter Pig. As one would expect, things go terribly wrong for Wilshire in a serious of disastrous and hilarious misadventures. As with all of Will Vinton's creations, totally off-the-wall comedy is matched with eye-popping animation.

Will Vinton's Claymation Easter

1992

The World's Greatest Animation poster
NR

A whirlwind tour of first-class animated shorts, The World's Greatest Animation assembles, for the first time, an eye-popping assortment of Academy Award winners and nominees from the years 1978-90. From the Orwellian vision of zoo life Creature Comforts, to Crac!, a rocking chair's impressionistic view of the industrialization of Montréal, The World's Greatest Animation features some of the finest achievements in this unique art form.

The World's Greatest Animation

1994

Mountain Music poster
5.0

Mountain Music illustrates what happens when technology gets too advanced too soon. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.

Mountain Music

1976

Mountain Music poster
5.0

Mountain Music illustrates what happens when technology gets too advanced too soon. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.

Mountain Music

1976

Mountain Music poster
5.0

Mountain Music illustrates what happens when technology gets too advanced too soon. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.

Mountain Music

1976

Dinosaurs: A Fun Filled Trip Back in Time poster
8.4

Everyone in Philip's science class has a great idea for a report--everyone that is, except Philip. That evening, he listens to a son playing on his boom box, and it provides him with inspiration: DINOSAURS! The next day at the museum, Phillip discovers that the search for the truth about these magnificent animals and their astonishing 160-million-year success on the earth is the most fascinating mystery tale he's ever heard. What follows is an exciting collection of established theories and fascinating speculation.

Dinosaurs: A Fun Filled Trip Back in Time

1987

Claymation Christmas Celebration poster
7.2

Herb and Rex, the Jurassic odd couple, guide a Christmas choral celebration in this Emmy Award-winning special, guest-starring the California Raisins! Segments feature the Three Wise Men, singing camels, ice-skating penguins, and the hilarious Paris Bellharmonic Orchestra.

Claymation Christmas Celebration

1987

Claymation Christmas Celebration poster
7.2

Herb and Rex, the Jurassic odd couple, guide a Christmas choral celebration in this Emmy Award-winning special, guest-starring the California Raisins! Segments feature the Three Wise Men, singing camels, ice-skating penguins, and the hilarious Paris Bellharmonic Orchestra.

Claymation Christmas Celebration

1987

Bride of Resistor poster
7.8

Mr. Resistor tries to catch himself a woman.

Bride of Resistor

1997

Claymation: Three Dimensional Clay Animation poster
9.0

A look inside the Will Vinton Studio, with specializes in stop-motion animations with clay. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.

Claymation: Three Dimensional Clay Animation

1978

The Festival of Claymation poster
7.0

A sampler of the work of Will Vinton's animation using clay figures, including the shorts "Dinosaur," "The Great Cognito," "A Christmas Gift," and "Vanz Kant Danz."

The Festival of Claymation

1987

The Festival of Claymation poster
7.0

A sampler of the work of Will Vinton's animation using clay figures, including the shorts "Dinosaur," "The Great Cognito," "A Christmas Gift," and "Vanz Kant Danz."

The Festival of Claymation

1987

The Festival of Claymation poster
7.0

A sampler of the work of Will Vinton's animation using clay figures, including the shorts "Dinosaur," "The Great Cognito," "A Christmas Gift," and "Vanz Kant Danz."

The Festival of Claymation

1987

The Little Prince poster
6.6

The Little Prince questions the universe in this story of innocence and wonder.

The Little Prince

1979

The Great Cognito poster
5.6

The film tells of a music hall impressionist who caricatures personalities from the second world war. Animated by Barry Bruce at Will Vinton Productions. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.

The Great Cognito

1982

The Great Cognito poster
5.6

The film tells of a music hall impressionist who caricatures personalities from the second world war. Animated by Barry Bruce at Will Vinton Productions. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.

The Great Cognito

1982

Legacy: A Very Short History of Natural Resources poster
NR

Legacy takes the audience on a rapid-fire journey through the evolution of the world, starting with a cosmic bang, evolving through billions of years of plants, animals and the creation of natural resources, ending with man and his bounty – “sitting on his world contemplating his coconut”. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.

Legacy: A Very Short History of Natural Resources

1979

Rip Van Winkle poster
5.7

Rip Van Winkle, a lazy American man, wanders off one day with his dog Wolf into the Kaatskill mountains where he runs into an odd group of men drinking and playing bowls. He drinks some of their mysterious brew and passes out. When he wakes up under a tree he is astonished to find that 20 years have passed and things are a lot different. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.

Rip Van Winkle

1978

Rip Van Winkle poster
5.7

Rip Van Winkle, a lazy American man, wanders off one day with his dog Wolf into the Kaatskill mountains where he runs into an odd group of men drinking and playing bowls. He drinks some of their mysterious brew and passes out. When he wakes up under a tree he is astonished to find that 20 years have passed and things are a lot different. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.

Rip Van Winkle

1978

Go Down Death poster
NR

God calls home a long-suffering woman. Directed by: Will Vinton Based on a Poem by: James Weldon Johnson Voice: Dorian Harewood Produced by: David Altschul, Paul Diener, Mary E. Sandell Executive Producers: Frank Moynihan, Will Vinton Designed and Animated by: Christina Gale Sells Music Composed by: Jon Newton Editor: Scott Sundholm

Go Down Death

—

Dinosaurs! poster
NR

Everyone in Philip’s science class has a great idea for a report - everyone, that is, except Philip. That evening, he listens to a song playing on his boombox, and it provides him with inspiration: DINOSAURS! The next day at the museum, Philip discovers that the search for the truth about these magnificent animals and their astonishing 160-million-years success on the Earth is the most fascinating mystery tale he’s ever heard. What follows is an exciting collection of established theories and fascinating speculation. Philip’s report captivate viewers of all ages, just as it captivates Philip’s classmates. The Kingdom of the Dinosaurs comes to life through animation, live action, and a special Claymation feature by Will Vinton Productions. A short educational Claymation film about dinosaurs. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.

Dinosaurs!

1980

Dinosaurs! poster
NR

Everyone in Philip’s science class has a great idea for a report - everyone, that is, except Philip. That evening, he listens to a song playing on his boombox, and it provides him with inspiration: DINOSAURS! The next day at the museum, Philip discovers that the search for the truth about these magnificent animals and their astonishing 160-million-years success on the Earth is the most fascinating mystery tale he’s ever heard. What follows is an exciting collection of established theories and fascinating speculation. Philip’s report captivate viewers of all ages, just as it captivates Philip’s classmates. The Kingdom of the Dinosaurs comes to life through animation, live action, and a special Claymation feature by Will Vinton Productions. A short educational Claymation film about dinosaurs. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.

Dinosaurs!

1980

Meet the Raisins! poster
6.3

An animated mockumentary follows a group of anthropomorphic raisins from their early beginnings to musical stardom, decline, and eventual comeback. Through interviews, performances, and archival-style footage, the special explores the group’s history and rise to fame.

Meet the Raisins!

1988

Martin the Cobbler poster
8.0

A poor cobbler has a dream in which he hears the Lord promise to visit him. Instead poor people in need of food, clothing, warmth, and understanding come to him. In the end he understands that this is how the Lord visits men today.

Martin the Cobbler

1977

No artwork available
NR

A woman talks to a friend and a lover the morning after a great evening.

The Morning After

2005

No artwork available
NR

A woman talks to a friend and a lover the morning after a great evening.

The Morning After

2005

No artwork available
NR

A woman talks to a friend and a lover the morning after a great evening.

The Morning After

2005

A Christmas Gift poster
7.0

On Christmas Eve, a lonely young boy, shut out from the shiny world of presents and holiday parties, peers into a candlelit window, where a gray-haired lady sits sadly at a bare table. Taking the last bit of bread and cheese from his pocket and adding wine, they share this meager Christmas dinner together. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.

A Christmas Gift

1980

No artwork available
NR

Unaired Pilot for Fox Television from Will Vinton Studios. Claymation.

Klay's TV

1998

Dinosaur poster
NR

Groundbreaking claymation from the master of the medium, showcasing Vinton's pioneering techniques that would define stop-motion animation for decades. A prehistoric adventure that demonstrates why Vinton earned his reputation as the king of clay animation. Was later expanded to the longform documentary Dinosaurs!

Dinosaur

1980

No artwork available
NR

Feature-length documentary film about the California counter-culture movement, which toured college campuses in various film festivals of the time. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.

Gone for a Better Deal

1974