A new podcast reveals the untold story
American respondents recall the mass exodus of artists and technicians - 87 in all - from California to Dublin, where they discovered, to their dismay, that it rained a lot. There, they began training local artists in classical animation, adapting Canada's Sheridan College animation course for nearby Ballyfermot College. Locals were thrilled with new career opportunities - like a "Willy Wonka ticket to animation" as they say.
The Irish interviewees reflect on the culture of the workplace, the meticulousness of their American teachers and the "swaggering" behavior of Bluth himself. They also discuss the reverse exodus that happened after the studio collapsed and Bluth and Goldman founded Fox Animation Studios in Phoenix, Arizona, prompting many Dublin colleagues to move in with them. Now the Irish have found themselves in a land of perpetual sun and air conditioning. According to one artist, they spent a lot of time getting drunk and craving rain.
The below-the-line staff perspectives make this podcast a valuable resource. The episode also provides detailed information on Sullivan Bluth's importance to Ireland and vice versa. Pomeroy argues that the exodus to Ireland informed the themes of immigration and tolerance in Bluth's films. Meanwhile, Gerry Shirren says the studio set the stage for the boom of the animation industry in Ireland today. He is an embodiment of this fact: having started as production manager at Sullivan Bluth, he is now CEO of Cartoon Saloon.
Previous episodes of the mini-series in Ireland cover topics including Walt Disney's connections to the country and the career of pioneering animator Aidan Hickey. The podcast, which explores the subject of creativity in general, has already interviewed artists such as cartoonist Chris Ware and Muppet performer Louise Gold.
