Leo D. Sullivan ( c. 1940 – March 25, 2023) [1] [2] was an American writer and director of animated films, and a pioneer in black animation. [3] [4] With Floyd Norman, who he met working on Beanie and Cecil, he launched Vignette Films, later Vignette Multimedia, and worked on the original animated Soul Train logo. [5] [6] They also produced short films geared toward a high school audience on leaders in the African-American community. [7]
Sullivan worked for Bob Clampett Productions as an animation cel polisher before moving up to working as an artist and animator. [6] Over a more than sixty year career, he and his wife collaborated on improving animation for black children. [8] His company, Leo Sullivan Multimedia, is behind brands such as AfroKids. [4] [8]
Sullivan and Norman's work was recognized by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1991 and Sullivan received an Emmy in 1992 as a Timing Director. [6] Interviews of Sullivan are featured prominently in the documentary Floyd Norman: An Animated Life (2016) by Michael Fiore.
Leo D. Sullivan ( c. 1940 – March 25, 2023) [1] [2] was an American writer and director of animated films, and a pioneer in black animation. [3] [4] With Floyd Norman, who he met working on Beanie and Cecil, he launched Vignette Films, later Vignette Multimedia, and worked on the original animated Soul Train logo. [5] [6] They also produced short films geared toward a high school audience on leaders in the African-American community. [7]
Sullivan worked for Bob Clampett Productions as an animation cel polisher before moving up to working as an artist and animator. [6] Over a more than sixty year career, he and his wife collaborated on improving animation for black children. [8] His company, Leo Sullivan Multimedia, is behind brands such as AfroKids. [4] [8]
Sullivan and Norman's work was recognized by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1991 and Sullivan received an Emmy in 1992 as a Timing Director. [6] Interviews of Sullivan are featured prominently in the documentary Floyd Norman: An Animated Life (2016) by Michael Fiore.