Gwen Wetzler

Gwen Wetzler is an American producer, director and animator and is best known as the first woman to produce and direct animation for a major network.

Gwen Sandiff Wetzler
Born
Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
OccupationFilm and television animation producer, director, and animator.
Years active1955–present

Early years

At a young age while growing up in Erie, Pennsylvania, Gwen Wetzler found her love of art. During high school Wetzler would paint signs for local businesses because of her artistic ability and steady hand. In the early 1950s Gwen was married and moved from Pennsylvania to suburban Los Angeles. In 1955 she started in the animation business at Disney[1] as an in between animator on such classics as Sleeping Beauty and Lady and the Tramp.

Career

In 1977, after 20 years at Disney, Wetzler became the first woman to direct and produce animation at major studios including MGM, Warner Bros. and the Hanna-Barbera Studios.[1][2]

Wetzler's directorial debut was on Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids which led to further projects. Other directed titles include The Transformers, The New Adventures of Batman, My Little Pony,[3] The New Archie/Sabrina Hour, Flash Gordon and Sport Billy among others. Her later directorial work included He-Man and the Masters of the Universe,[3]:244 She-Ra, Spawn, Tiny Toon Adventures, and All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series.[4][5]

In the 1980s, Wetzler became the first woman to produce animation for a major studio; she produced The Transformers, Jem, and The Legend of Prince Valiant.[6]

Along with directing, producing, and antimating series, Wetzler also worked on feature full-length feature films such as Mighty Mouse.[7]

Gwen Wetzler retired from the animation industry in the early 2000s, giving her time to focus primarily on her artwork.[8]

Selected filmography

Films

Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman (2000) Role: Animation Timing Director

The Sissy Duckling (1999) Role: Timing Director

An All Dogs Christmas Carol (1998) Role: Timing and Sheet Director

Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1992) Role: Timing Director

My Little Pony (1986) Role: Animation Director

Skeletor's Revenge (1986) Role: Director - Segment - The Cat and the Spider

The Secret of the Sword (1985) Role: Director

We Think the World is Round (1984) Role: Animator

Mighty Mouse in the Great Space Chase (1983) Role: Director

A Snow White Christmas (1982) Role: Animator

Television

Dragon Tales (2002) Role: Other

Henny Penny: An Animated Special From "The Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales For Every Child" Series (2000) Role: Other

Rip Van Winkle: An Animated Special From the "Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales For Every Child" Series (2000) Role: Other

Robinita Hood: An Animated Special From the "Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales For Every Child" Series (2000) Role: Other

Sissy Duckling (2000) Role: Other

Frog Princess: An Animated Special From the "Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales For Every Child" Series (2000) Role: Other

Happy Prince: An Animated Special From "The Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales For Every Child" Series (2000) Role: Other

Empress's Nightingale: An Animated Special From "The Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales For Every Child" Series (2000) Role: Other

Three Little Pigs: From the Series "Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales For Every Child" (1999) Role: Other

The Lionhearts (1999) Role: Animator

Todd McFarlane's Spawn (1999) Role: Other

G.I. Joe: Extreme (1997) Role: Other

Little Orphan Annie's Very Animated Christmas 1995 Director

The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest (Animated Series) (1996) Animation Director

All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989) Role: Sheet Director

She-Ra: Princess of Power (1986) Role: Director

The New Adventures of Flash Gordon (1983) Role: Director

Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All (1983) Role: Director

Batman and the Super Seven (1981) Role: Director

Super Witch (1978) Role: Animation Director

The New Adventures of Batman (1978) Role: Director

References
  1. Art House touts youth talent
  2. "Move Over, Old Men - Page 3 - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 2000-03-19. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  3. Jerry Beck (28 October 2005). The Animated Movie Guide. Chicago Review Press. pp. 176. ISBN 978-1-55652-591-9. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  4. "NYT's Filmography". The New York Times. 2010. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  5. "Linda Miller". Catalystagency.com. 2000-03-19. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  6. Randazzo, Angela (6 Aug 2010). "'Salon' bonds and inspires artists". The Simi Valley Acorn. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  7. Ann Catherine Paietta; Jean L. Kauppila (1994). Animals on Screen and Radio: An Annotated Sourcebook. Scarecrow Press. pp. 187–. ISBN 978-0-8108-2939-8. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  8. "Gwen Wetzler movies, photos, movie reviews, filmography, and biography". AllMovie. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
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