Jim Middleton
Jim Middleton is a Battle Creek pharmacist and self taught animator who made his first film at 13 and won't stop in spite of the better efforts of Windows 95, 98, or XP. His "Self Made Man," "Daydreams," and "Alpha" have won worldwide recognition ("Kafka meets Busby Berkeley," "He works cheap!" "Oh no, not another Middleton film!") with "Rush Job" being a cycle of existance filtered though a midlife crisis. His "Sfumato #1" has the distinction of placing among the finalists at the Animation World Celebration in 2000 and even opened for a Limp Bizkit concert (the only time his stepson was ever impressed by his work, by the way). When not drawing, he lectures on film, pharmacology, and Dr. Kellogg (yes, that Dr. Kellogg). Presently he is creating and teaching an associate-level degree in animation for Kellogg Community College. Works in progress include, "Je Ne Dis Pas Non," "Sfumato #2," and "Political Asylum." Initial films were in 8mm and 16mm; he now animates using Animator Studio, Flash, and Premiere, then kicks everything out to videotape or DVD. He is a member of ASIFA International, has served as ASIFA Central president since 2000, and has been among the jurists for the amazing KAFI festival.
