Why don't you think of animation as a career? "I just enjoy it more than I do anything else. To actually see and manipulate your designs or characters so that they move and express emotion and tell a story-that's animation. It feels natural to me."
Where did you get the idea for the creation of COURAGE THE COWARDLY DOG? "I wish to Rodin's inferiority complex I could come up with something much more interesting than the truth. Wouldn't it be more fun to say, Scooby-Doo? I simply intended to."
What were some of your favorite cartoons as a child and why? "I couldn't express to you the impact the Golden Age of animation had on me. But, it was children's book illustration that motivated me to animation."
It seems COURAGE THE COWARDLY DOG has something appealing for both kids and adults. How do you create a show that can attract both audiences? "I haven't met anyone who hasn't responded well to basic olive oil, garlic and salt. For the real adventurers -- sugar."
Do you have a favorite episode at this point? Can you describe it? "My favorite episode is 'Shadow.' It is the story of a misunderstood personality who eventually discovers himself and goes on to a new life. When my brother traveled to 'where the sea meets the sky,' I discovered many parallels in theme to his life and the cartoon. The Shadow (guest villain) fulfilled obligations that did not match what he really wanted from life. The Shadow eventually lives the life he always dreamed of. Regretfully, the writer for Jimmy's story was unwilling to allow him to live the life he always dreamed of here. And maybe Jimmy finally is too. As Courage would say, "The things I do for love."
Instructors and Influences: "This season I went to the Metropolitan Opera, and I learned a tremendous amount by the staging, the way they would maximize the most out of a frame, a setup, through all the singers and the ensemble, and even the beautiful way they move sets as a transition. I love the old classic Charlie Chaplin shorts, for their comedic timing and characterization. The animators that make me laugh the most are Bob Clampett and Tex Avery for their use of their breaking the laws of animation and still retaining a law within."
During the making of Courage, what have you learned in your growth as an individual? "The one thing I learned-beyond anything else - is greater tolerance and patience with others."
Born in New York City. Writer, director and producer of animated films from 1985. Notable credits include THE LIMITED BIRD (1989), THE CHICKEN FROM OUTER SPACE (1995), NOODLES AND NEDD (1997), "Courage the Cowardly Dog" (1999, TV series), CATCH OF THE DAY (2002), LIFE IN TRANSITION (2005). In addition to his own projects, Dilworth has worked as an animator on such films/shows as LYLE, LYLE CROCODILE: THE MUSICAL: THE HOUSE ON EAST 88TH STREET (1987), THE STORY OF THE DANCING FROG (1989), EARTHDAY BIRTHDAY (1990), MIKE MULLIGAN AND HIS STEAMSHOVEL and THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL (both 1991), WHEN LILLY LANEY MOVED IN (1992), IRA SLEEPS OVER (1993), and GUMBY: THE MOVIE (1995, animation consultant).
Nominated for Achievement in Animated Short Films 1995: THE CHICKEN FROM OUTER SPACE - Producer
1 nomination