Creating Animated Films for Learning
 
These award winning animated films were created by San Francisco filmmaker J. Arthur Milestone. All of these films take place in the imaginary town of Fearville USA. The educational topics range from public speaking, to health issues for children and "tweens", including drug abuse and AIDS prevention.

Why I Made these Films

I look at animation as one of the best ways to explain complicated and sometimes frightening subjects. Many years ago a very good friend died of Leukemia, and it motivated me to find something to promote Cancer Prevention. At that time I was working on my Master's Degree, I created "BUTTERFLIES IN FORMATION" a film about one of the most frightening subjects - Public Speaking! Years later when the AIDS crisis struck, many erroneously referred to this new disease as "gay cancer". A social worker asked me to participate in the San Francisco Men's Health study, I explained to her that I was straight and probably wouldn't be much help with the study.
BUTTERFLIES IN FORMATION (Revised in Flash)
BUTTERFLIES IN FORMATION (Original 16mm)
She was persistent and explained that for gathering statistical data, she needed men in the area between 20-30, so I reluctantly agreed. Participating in the study scarred the "be-jesses" out me but I learned a lot of medical information. So with animation as a non-threatening and entertaining medium, I teamed up with the S.F. Dept. of Public Health to create "EVERYONE CAN AVOID AIDS". As an artist I feel that the experience really tapped me into a fulfilling a greater purpose, and hopefully the work has helped save lives.
 
STREET SMARTS PART #1
STREET SMARTS PART #2
STREET SMARTS PART #3

AWARDS

STREET SMARTS (27 minutes) this animated film depicts fifty clay characters, uses lip-sync, multi-level animations, Original musical score

-Gold Award Charleston International Film Festival

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EVERYONE CAN AVOID AIDS (20 minutes) Thirty-five clay characters with cell animation, lip-sync film, funded in part by the City and County of San Francisco Department of Public Health

(Produced a Japanese version)

-Silver Apple Award, National Educational Film Festival

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BUTTERFLIES IN FORMATION (8 minutes) lip-sync animated film student competition                                                                         -Regional Finalist, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences

EVERYONE CAN AVOID AIDS PART #1
EVERYONE CAN AVOID AIDS PART #2

CONTACT

STREET SMARTS © 1996 J. ARTHUR MILESTONE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

EVERYONE CAN AVOID AIDS © 1988 J. ARTHUR MILESTONE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

BUTTERFLIES IN FORMATION © 1983 J. ARTHUR MILESTONE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED