Very Semi-Serious
Description
This highly entertaining behind-the-scenes documentary look at the world of The New Yorker’s cartoons and cartoonists vividly brings to life a beloved part of the magazine. Bob Mankoff, the magazine’s sagacious cartoon editor is our guide, and Bay Area filmmaker Leah Wolchok wisely waited for years to secure his participation. A self-described “humorologist” and creator of one of The New Yorker’s most popular cartoons of all times (“How about never—is never good for you?”), Mankoff offers lively insight into the magazine’s history and its evolving role in the perpetuation of single-panel humor. He also provides revealing access to his weekly pitch meetings with cartoonists in which established names and aspiring young artists present their work. Featuring perceptive interviews with established and emerging cartoonists including Roz Chast, Mort Gerberg, Emily Flake, Bruce Eric Kaplan and Liana Finck, the films delves into the creative process, the delicate balances of humor and the mythos of the revered publication. With its meditations on humor, creativity and life and many dozens of cartoons, Very Semi-Serious is both moving and delightful—unmissable for New Yorker fans.
Leah Wolchok is a director and producer currently based in Paris. She recently completed an IFP Documentary Lab, San Francisco Film Society Film House Residency and BAVC MediaMaker Fellowship. She co-produced the Independent Lens documentary Ask Not (SFIFF 2009) and directed four award-winning short films. She received a BA in English from Yale and an MA in Documentary Production from Stanford.
Trailer
//player.vimeo.com/video/122133563?autoplay=1Film Details
Language English
Year 2015
Runtime 86
Country USA
Director Leah Wolchok
Producer Leah Wolchok, Davina Pardo
Editor Nels Bangerter, Scott Stevenson
Cinematographer Kirsten Johnson
Music Max Avery Lichtenstein