Short of the Week

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Dark Comedy Bill Plympton

Guard Dog

A lovable dog does all he can to protect his master from the park's hidden dangers in this satirical look at Bush-era American policy from the legendary Bill Plympton.

Play
Dark Comedy Bill Plympton

Guard Dog

A lovable dog does all he can to protect his master from the park's hidden dangers in this satirical look at Bush-era American policy from the legendary Bill Plympton.

Guard Dog

Directed By Bill Plympton
Made In USA

Oscar-nominated in either 2003 or 2004 (whats the protocol here? did we just have the 2009 Oscars?) Bill Plympton’s Guard Dog introduces the loveable hyper-active mutt that is quickly becoming the iconic animator’s signature character. In this film, Dog is so wrapped up in protecting his owner from threats real and imaginary (mostly imaginary) that he does more harm than good. Evidently the French were convinced when this film came out that it was an allegory for George W.

The film has been a hit in festivals and was featured on the Animation Show Season 2, so you may have caught it somewhere before. Plympton though, is one of the rare filmmakers who makes a living with his short films, so it has taken awhile for the film to find its way online.  I’m grateful because I hadn’t seen it before, and if you haven’t either, stop reading and do it now!

Part 2: Guide Dog »

Part 3: Hot Dog (currently offline)

Part 4: Horn Dog (currently offline)

UPDATE: Bill has called for a global jam by asking respected animated around the world to each re-create one shot of his famous Guard Dog. Watch the rough edit »