Debra Solomon

Debra Solomon is an American filmmaker and animator, 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]

Debra Solomon
NationalityAmerican
OccupationAnimator, director, producer
Known forLizzie McGuire, Everybody's Pregnant, My Kingdom, Mrs. Matisse
Websitedebrasolomon.com

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 demonstrated her work as well as other animation. 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). The film gained attention and success from film festivals and went on to win several awards.

Everybody's Pregnant (1998) was Solomon's next film, cited by Solomon as the film that allowed her to find her artistic voice.[2] The film was also a success, with screening at dozens of film festivals. It eventually went on to be preserved in the Museum of Modern Art's film archive.

Many of her films are animated musicals, noteworthy for their ability to turn bad situations into humorous ones.[1] Solomon writes and performs original music for her musical 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 many 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
  • Mrs. Matisse (1994)
  • Everybody's Pregnant (1997)
  • The Parable of the Clown (1998)
  • The Cartoon Cartoon Show (TV series) (1999)
  • Nikki (2000)
  • Private Eye Princess (2001)
  • Lizzie McGuire (TV series) (2001–2004)
  • The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)
  • Super Lambert (2004)
  • Get Out the Women's Vote (2004)
  • The Blind Men and the Elephant (2004)
  • Stevie Sanchez (2005)
  • I Wanna Know Everyone in my Building (2007)
  • Teach Me to be a Woman (2008)
  • Drugstore (2009)
  • Getting Over Him in Eight Songs or Less (2010)
  • My Kingdom (2014)

Awards and nominations

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

References
  1. 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. 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. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  4. Robinson, Chris. "From Matisse to McGuire: An Interview with Debra Solomon". Animation World News. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
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