Somersaulter-Moats and Somersaulter Collection
Inclusive Dates
1973 – 1991
Preservation Sponsor
Michael Moats
JP Somersaulter
Lillian Somersaulter Moats
Abstract
The Somersaulter-Moats and Somersaulter collection consists of 16mm films produced by Chicago filmmakers JP Somersaulter and Lillian Somersaulter Moats. The films in this collection are predominantly short, animated films that were written, directed and illustrated by Lillian and JP. These include experimental films for adults as well as adapted and original fairytales for children.
Description
Between 1973 and 1991, JP Somersaulter and Lillian Somersaulter Moats produced over 20 animated short films for children and adults. Working under the name Pajon Arts, the duo developed an idiosyncratic style of image-making — from additive line drawings to stop-motion collages to watercolor celluloid animations. Their subject matter frequently deals with the human mind and creative process, which is reflected in their narrative style. Lillian and JP's stories for adult audiences have been referred to as "Kafkaesque", and, even at their most lighthearted and whimsical, tend to carry a sinister undertone. Their films for children include renditions of classic fairytales and imaginative original stories. Their work is influenced by their shared interests in storytelling, myth, creativity and the logic of thought. Collectively, the films in this collection have received over forty awards at national and international festivals.
Collection Items
To request more information about the items in this collection, please contact the archive at
info@chicagofilmarchives.org.
Items with Viewable Media
- Avery Coonley School Horse A-Roll
- Avery Coonley School Horse Answer Print
- Avery Coonley School Horse B-Roll
- Avery Coonley School Horse Edit Workprint
- Avery Coonley School Horse Internegative
- Avery Coonley School Horse Interpositive
- Avery Coonley School Horse Magnetic Track
- Avery Coonley School Horse Magnetic Track
- Avery Coonley Schoolhorse
- Briar Rose, The Sleeping Beauty
- Briar Rose the Sleeping Beauty 35mm Dupe Negs
- Briar Rose the Sleeping Beauty 35mm Optical Track
- Briar Rose, the Sleeping Beauty Dupe Neagtive
- Briar Rose, the Sleeping Beauty Interpositive
- Briar Rose, the Sleeping Beauty Print #2
- Buck O'Neil Betacam #1
- Buck O'Neil Betacam #2
- Buck O'Neil Master
- Children's House Dupe Print Roll #1
- Children's House Dupe Print Roll #2
- Children's House Original Roll #1
- Children's House Original Roll #2
- The Country Mouse and the Town Mouse A-Roll
- The Country Mouse and the Town Mouse A-Roll Negative
- The Country Mouse and the Town Mouse B-Roll
- The Country Mouse and the Town Mouse B-Roll Negative
- The Country Mouse and the Town Mouse Internegative
- The Country Mouse and the Town Mouse Magnetic Mix
- The Country Mouse and the Town Mouse Master Mix
- The Country Mouse and the Town Mouse Optical Track
- The Country Mouse and the Town Mouse Print #2
- Country Mouse and the Town Mouse, The
- The Country Mouse and the Town Mouse Work Print
- Donna Rosebud: 80 Minute Version - 3 Track Master Reel #1
- Donna Rosebud: 80 Minute Version - 3 Track Master Reel #2
- Donna Rosebud: 80 Minute Version - 3 Track Master Reel #3
- Donna Rosebud: 80 Minute Version - Pt. 1 A-Roll
- Donna Rosebud: 80 Minute Version - Pt. 1 B-Roll
- Donna Rosebud: 80 Minute Version - Pt. 2 A-Roll
- Donna Rosebud: 80 Minute Version - Pt. 2 B-Roll
- Donna Rosebud: 80 Minute Version - Pt. 3 A-Roll
- Donna Rosebud: 80 Minute Version - Pt. 3 B-Roll
- Donna Rosebud First Version - Reel 1
- Donna Rosebud First Version - Reel 2
- Donna Rosebud First Version - Reel 3
- Donna Rosebud Mix Logs (Paper or Photographic Materials)
- Donna Rosebud Mystery Version Internegative - Reel 1
- Donna Rosebud Mystery Version Internegative - Reel 2
- Donna Rosebud Mystery Version Internegative - Reel 3
- Donna Rosebud Old Version - Reel 1
- Donna Rosebud Old Version - Reel 2
- Donna Rosebud Old Version - Reel 3
- [Donna Rosebud Optical Sound Element] II
- Donna Rosebud Optical Soundtrack - Reel 1
- Donna Rosebud Optical Soundtrack - Reel 1
- Donna Rosebud Optical Soundtrack - Reel 2
- Donna Rosebud Optical Soundtrack - Reel 2
- Donna Rosebud Optical Soundtrack - Reel 3
- Donna Rosebud Optical Soundtrack - Reel 3
- Donna Rosebud - Reel 1
- Donna Rosebud - Reel 2
- Donna Rosebud - Reel 3
- Donna Rosebud Revised Version - Reel 1
- Donna Rosebud Revised Version - Reel 2
- Donna Rosebud Revised Version - Reel 3
- [Donna Rosebud] Sec Sound R-1
- The Gingerbread Man A-Roll
- The Gingerbread Man B-Roll
- The Gingerbread Man Interneg
- The Gingerbread Man Internegative Mag Track- A
- Gingerbread Man Master Magnetic Mix
- The Gingerbread Man Sound Print
- Gingerbread Man, The
- Goldilocks and the 3 Bears Interneg
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears 2nd Edition Print 2
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears Internegative
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears Magnetic Soundtrack
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears Negative
- Goldilocks Spanish Version
- Industrial Training Film #1
- Inside the Circle of Love 35mm Master Mix
- Inside the Circle of Love A-Roll
- Inside the Circle of Love B-Roll
- Inside the Circle of Love Cut Workprint
- Inside the Circle of Love Interpositive
- Inside the Circle of Love Interpositive
- Inside the Circle of Love Magnetic Mix
- Inside the Circle of Love Music
- Inside the Circle of Love Optical Track
- Inside the Circle of Love Print #1
- Inside the Circle of Love Print #2
- Inside the Circle of Love Sfx A
- Inside the Circle of Love Sfx B
- Inside the Circle of Love Voice A
- Inside the Circle of Love Voice B
- JP Somersaulter Filmmaker: School Assembly Program Demo #1
- JP Somersaulter Filmmaker: School Assembly Program Demo #2
- JP Somersaulter Filmmaker: School Assembly Program Edited Master
- JP Somersaulter Filmmaker: School Assembly Program U-matic
- JP Somersaulter's Dot to Dot Cartoon Cartoon
- JP Somersaulter's Dot to Dot Cartoon Cartoon A-Roll
- JP Somersaulter's Dot to Dot Cartoon Cartoon B-Roll
- JP Somersaulter's Dot to Dot Cartoon Cartoon Cut Workprint
- JP Somersaulter's Dot to Dot Cartoon Cartoon Interpositive
- JP Somersaulter's Dot to Dot Cartoon Cartoon Magnetic Mix
- JP Somersaulter's Dot to Dot Cartoon Cartoon Optical Track
- JP Somersaulter's Dot to Dot Cartoon Cartoon Print #2
- JP Somersaulter's Dot to Dot Cartoon Cartoon SFX A-Roll
- JP Somersaulter's Dot to Dot Cartoon Cartoon Sfx B-Roll
- JP Somersaulter's Dot to Dot Cartoon Cartoon Sfx C-Roll
- JP Somersaulter's Dot to Dot Cartoon Cartoon Voice A-track
- JP Somersaulter's Dot to Dot Cartoon Cartoon Voice B-track
- JP Somersaulter's Premiere Cartoon Cartoon 1st A-wind Optical Track
- JP Somersaulter's Premiere Cartoon Cartoon A-Roll
- JP Somersaulter's Premiere Cartoon Cartoon A-wind Optical Negative Track
- JP Somersaulter's Premiere Cartoon Cartoon B-Roll
- JP Somersaulter's Premiere Cartoon Cartoon B-wind Negative Optical Track
- JP Somersaulter's Premiere Cartoon Cartoon Cut Workprint
- JP Somersaulter's Premiere Cartoon Cartoon Magnetic Mix
- JP Somersaulter's Premiere Cartoon Cartoon Original Track
- JP Somersaulter's Premiere Cartoon Cartoon Print #1
- JP Somersaulter's Premiere Cartoon Cartoon Print #2
- JP Somersaulter's Premmiere Cartoon Cartoon Internegative
- JP Somersautler's Dot to Dot Cartoon Cartoon Internegative
- Katura and the Cat
- Katura and the Cat A-Roll
- Katura and the Cat B-Roll
- Katura and the Cat Internegative
- Katura and the Cat Magnetic Mix
- Katura and the Cat Optical Track
- Katura and the Cat Print 2
- The Light Fantastic Picture Show
- The Light Fantastic Picture Show A-Roll
- The Light Fantastic Picture Show B-Roll
- The Light Fantastic Picture Show C-Roll
- The Light Fantastic Picture Show Internegative
- The Light Fantastic Picture Show Magnetic Mix
- The Light Fantastic Picture Show Optical Track
- The Light Fantastic Picture Show Optical Track
- The Light Fantastic Picture Show Reversal Print
- The Light Fantastic Picture Show Silent Print
- The Little Red Hen A-Roll
- The Little Red Hen B-Roll
- The Little Red Hen Cut Workprint
- The Little Red Hen Internegative
- The Little Red Hen Magnetic Mix
- The Little Red Hen Music Track
- The Little Red Hen Optical Track
- The Little Red Hen Print #1
- The Little Red Hen Print #2
- The Little Red Hen Voice Track A
- The Little Red Hen Voice Track B
- The Little Red Hen Voice Track C
- The Magic World of Whiselphasoon A-Roll Original
- The Magic World of Whiselphasoon A-wind Optical #1
- The Magic World of Whiselphasoon A-wind Optical #2
- The Magic World of Whiselphasoon B-Roll Original
- The Magic World of Whiselphasoon B-wind Optical
- The Magic World of Whiselphasoon Boy's Voice+SFX
- The Magic World of Whiselphasoon Cut Workprint
- The Magic World of Whiselphasoon Internegative
- The Magic World of Whiselphasoon Internegative
- The Magic World of Whiselphasoon Magnetic Mix
- The Magic World of Whiselphasoon Print #2
- The Magic World of Whiselphasoon SFX
- Magic World of Whiselphasoon, The
- The Magic World of Whiselphasoon Voice Track
- Midwest Film festival Trailer Print
- Mural A-Roll
- Mural Answer Print
- Mural B-Roll
- Mural Edited Workprint
- Mural Internegative
- Mural Magnetic Mix
- Mural Optical Interneg
- Mural Print #1
- Mural Print #2
- Norway Print #1
- Norway Print #2
- Photocopies of Film Backgrounds/Scenes (Paper or Photographic Materials)
- Playground Safety: The Peeperkorns Print #1
- Playground Safety: The Peepkorns Print #2
- Rapunzel
- Rapunzel 35 mm Internegative
- Rapunzel A-Roll
- Rapunzel A-wind Negative Spanish
- Rapunzel A-wind Optical
- Rapunzel B-Roll
- Rapunzel B-wind Negative
- Rapunzel Copy of Mix
- Rapunzel Internegative
- Rapunzel Magnetic Mix
- Rapunzel Print #2
- Rumpelstilskin
- Rumpelstiltskin, 2nd Edition print
- Rumpelstilskin A-roll
- Rumpelstilskin B-roll
- Rumpelstilskin Internegative 1
- Rumpelstilskin Internegative 2
- Rumpelstilskin Magnetic Mix
- Rumpelstilskin Magnetic Mix Copy
- Rumpelstilskin Optical Interneg
- Rumpelstilskin Spanish Version
- The Signs of Quoctaas A-Roll Original
- The Signs of Quoctaas A-wind Optical Negative Track
- The Signs of Quoctaas B-Roll Original
- The Signs of Quoctaas B-Wind Optical Negative Track
- The Signs of Quoctaas C-Roll Original
- The Signs of Quoctaas Cut Workprint
- The Signs of Quoctaas Extra A-wind Optical Negative Track
- The Signs of Quoctaas Internegative
- The Signs of Quoctaas Internegative Extra
- The Signs of Quoctaas Magnetic Mix
- The Signs of Quoctaas Magnetic Mix
- The Signs of Quoctaas Print #1
- The Signs of Quoctaas Print #2
- The Signs of Quoctaas Voice Track
- The Silverfish King A-Roll
- The Silverfish King A-wind Optical
- The Silverfish King B-Roll
- The Silverfish King B-wind Optical
- The Silverfish King Cut Work Print
- The Silverfish King Internegative
- The Silverfish King Magnetic Mix
- The Silverfish King Music
- The Silverfish King Narration
- The Silverfish King Print #1
- The Silverfish King Print #2
- Somersaulter - Moats & Somersaulter Publicity Materials (Paper or Photographic Materials)
- Somersaulter - Moats & Somersaulter Publicity Materials: Donna Rosebud (Paper or Photographic Materials)
- Spooky Boo's and Room Noodles
- Spooky Boo's and Room Noodles
- Spooky Boo's and Room Noodles A-wind Optical Track
- Spooky Boo's and Room Noodles B-wind Optical Track
- Spooky Boo's and Room Noodles Cut Workprint
- Spooky Boo's and Room Noodles Mix
- Spooky Boo's and Room Noodles Music + SFX
- Spooky Boo's and Room Noodles Print #2
- Spooky Boo's and Room Noodles Track 3
- Spooky Boo's and Room Noodles Voice Track
- Spooky Boos and Room Noodles Internegative
- Spooky Boos and Room Noodles Magnetic Mix
- Ten Million Dollars & No Sense: 35mm Wkpix Transfer
- Three Magical Methods A-Roll
- Three Magical Methods A-Roll Music Track
- Three Magical Methods B-Roll
- Three Magical Methods B-Roll Music Track
- Three Magical Methods Beta Master
- Three Magical Methods C-Roll
- Three Magical Methods Magnetic Track
- Three Magical Methods Magnetic Track #2
- Three Magical Methods Print #1
- Three Magical Methods Print #2
- Tough Times, Tougher Men Master
- The Underground Water Source A-Roll
- The Underground Water Source B-Roll
- The Underground Water Source Cut Workprint
- The Underground Water Source Internegative
- The Underground Water Source Lo Sound Mag Track
- The Underground Water Source Mag Voice Track
- The Underground Water Source Magnetic Mix
- The Underground Water Source Optical Track
- The Underground Water Source Print #1
- The Underground Water Source Print #2
- The Underground Water Source Traffic + water drop sounds
- The Wizard A-Roll
- The Wizard B-Roll
- The Wizard cut workprint
- The Wizard Internegative
- The Wizard Magnetic Mix
- The Wizard Magnetic Mix
- The Wizard Music Track
- The Wizard Optical track A-wind
- The Wizard Optical Track B-wind
- The Wizard Print #2
- The Wizard Sound Effects Track
- Wizard, The
- The Wizard Voice Track
- Yo Yo the Clone, Too A-Roll
- Yo Yo the Clone, Too A-wind Optical Track
- Yo Yo the Clone, Too B-Roll
- Yo Yo the Clone Too, Cut Workprint
- Yo Yo the Clone, Too Internegative
- Yo Yo the Clone, Too Magnetic Mix
- Yo Yo the Clone, Too Print #1
- Yo Yo the Clone, Too Print #2
- Yo Yo the Clone, Too Track 1
- Yo Yo the Clone, Too Track 3
- Yo Yo the Clone Track 2
Collection Identifier
C.2016-01
Extent of Collection
16mm films totaling 90,110 ft; 35mm films totaling 1,005 ft; 5 Betacam SP videocassettes, 2 Betacam videocassettes; 1 U-matic videocassette; and 1 1" open-reel videotape.
Language Of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
This collection is open to on-site access. Appointments must be made with Chicago Film Archives. Due to the fragile nature of the films, only video copies will be provided for on-site viewing.
Creators
Somersaulter Moats, Lillian
(was created by)
Lillian Somersaulter Moats was born Patricia Hewlett, in Detroit, Michigan in 1946. She earned a BFA from the University of Michigan, where she studied painting and creative writing. While in school, Lillian met JP Somersaulter — a fellow creative writing student. The two married the following year. Shortly thereafter, Lillian and JP produced their first films together: five industrial films for JP's father, an engineer from St. Louis who manufactured a line of box-cutting products.
In 1969, Lillian went back to school — this time for a Masters degree in teaching from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For their joint thesis project, Lillian and JP (who was also in the Masters program) produced an educational film about children's creativity, based on the brainstorming methods of Alex F. Osborn. After finishing the film (titled: "Three Magical Methods"), they attended the Midwest Film Conference. There, they met David Sohn, who became their distributor and agent and encouraged them to work on further film projects.
Lillian and JP's first independent film, "The Silverfish King", premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival, where it earned a Certificate of Merit. Subsequently, the couple was invited to attend the film's screening at the Second World Animation Festival in Zagreb, Yugoslavia. ("The Silverfish King" traveled to several international festivals with the "Best of Zagreb" tour.) Afterward, the couple was contacted by Films, Incorporated to make six more original animated films, two of which were films for children.
Lillian and JP divorced in 1977, but continued to make films together. (They have remained creative partners and collaborators throughout their lives. It's a long story!) In 1977, they produced "Spooky Boo's and Room Noodles", a children's film about fear of the dark. Following its success, the two signed a contract with Coronet Films — which was, at the time, the country's largest producer of educational movies. They then began working with Michael Moats, an audio engineer at Zenith / DB Studios who transformed the technical capabilities of Pajon Arts — the corporate name under which Lillian and JP worked.
In 1979, Lillian married Michael. (JP served as the couple's best man.) Lillian then changed her legal name from Patricia Hewlett to Lillian Somersaulter Moats. Three years later, Lillian and Michael had a son, David. Since that time, Lillian has published five books — which include works of prose poetry, memoir, fiction and fantasy (sometimes within the same book), and incorporate themes of memory, mortality, myth and the unconscious mind.
Somersaulter, JP
(was created by)
In 1969, Lillian went back to school — this time for a Masters degree in teaching from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For their joint thesis project, Lillian and JP (who was also in the Masters program) produced an educational film about children's creativity, based on the brainstorming methods of Alex F. Osborn. After finishing the film (titled: "Three Magical Methods"), they attended the Midwest Film Conference. There, they met David Sohn, who became their distributor and agent and encouraged them to work on further film projects.
Lillian and JP's first independent film, "The Silverfish King", premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival, where it earned a Certificate of Merit. Subsequently, the couple was invited to attend the film's screening at the Second World Animation Festival in Zagreb, Yugoslavia. ("The Silverfish King" traveled to several international festivals with the "Best of Zagreb" tour.) Afterward, the couple was contacted by Films, Incorporated to make six more original animated films, two of which were films for children.
Lillian and JP divorced in 1977, but continued to make films together. (They have remained creative partners and collaborators throughout their lives. It's a long story!) In 1977, they produced "Spooky Boo's and Room Noodles", a children's film about fear of the dark. Following its success, the two signed a contract with Coronet Films — which was, at the time, the country's largest producer of educational movies. They then began working with Michael Moats, an audio engineer at Zenith / DB Studios who transformed the technical capabilities of Pajon Arts — the corporate name under which Lillian and JP worked.
In 1979, Lillian married Michael. (JP served as the couple's best man.) Lillian then changed her legal name from Patricia Hewlett to Lillian Somersaulter Moats. Three years later, Lillian and Michael had a son, David. Since that time, Lillian has published five books — which include works of prose poetry, memoir, fiction and fantasy (sometimes within the same book), and incorporate themes of memory, mortality, myth and the unconscious mind.
JP Somersaulter was born John Allan Sauer, in St. Louis, Missouri in 1946. He earned a BFA from the University of Michigan, where he studied English literature and creative writing. While in school, he met Lillian Somersaulter Moats (Patricia Hewlett) — a fellow creative writing student. The following year, the two married. Shortly thereafter, JP and Lillian produced their first films together: five industrial films for JP's father, an engineer who manufactured a line of box-cutting products.
In 1969, JP went back to school — this time for a Masters in Teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For their joint thesis project, JP and Lillian (who was also in the Masters program) produced an educational film about children's creativity based on the brainstorming methods of Alex F. Osborn. After finishing the film (titled: "Three Magical Methods"), they attended the Midwest Film Conference. There, they met David Sohn, who became their agent and distributor and encouraged them to work on further film projects.
JP and Lillian's first independent film, "The Silverfish King", premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival, where it earned a Certificate of Merit. Subsequently, the couple was invited to attend the film's screening at the Second World Animation Festival in Zagreb, Yugoslavia. ("The Silverfish King" traveled to several international festivals with the "Best of Zagreb" tour.) Afterward, the couple was contacted by Films, Incorporated to make six more original animated films, two of which were films for children.
JP and Lillian divorced in 1977, but continued to make films together. (They have remained creative partners and collaborators throughout their lives. It's a long story!) Around this time, JP changed his legal name from John Sauer to JP Somersaulter, thereby adopting the name of one of his cartoon characters. In 1977, JP and Lillian produced "Spooky Boo's and Room Noodles", a children's film about fear of the dark. Following the film's success, the two signed a contract with Coronet Films — which was, at the time, the country's largest producer of educational movies. JP and Lillian then began working with Michael Moats, an audio engineer at Chicago's Zenith / DB Studios who transformed the technical capabilities of Pajon Arts — the corporate name under which JP and Lillian worked. (In 1979, Michael and Lillian married, with JP serving as their best man.)
JP has also produced two feature films, as well as two documentaries about baseball/ (His first feature, "Donna Rosebud", premiered at the Art Institute of Chicago, screened at the Edinburgh Festival and played for two weeks at the Music Box Theater.)
He currently lives in Paraiba, Brazil, and is working on a book.
Moats, Michael
(was created by)
In 1969, JP went back to school — this time for a Masters in Teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For their joint thesis project, JP and Lillian (who was also in the Masters program) produced an educational film about children's creativity based on the brainstorming methods of Alex F. Osborn. After finishing the film (titled: "Three Magical Methods"), they attended the Midwest Film Conference. There, they met David Sohn, who became their agent and distributor and encouraged them to work on further film projects.
JP and Lillian's first independent film, "The Silverfish King", premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival, where it earned a Certificate of Merit. Subsequently, the couple was invited to attend the film's screening at the Second World Animation Festival in Zagreb, Yugoslavia. ("The Silverfish King" traveled to several international festivals with the "Best of Zagreb" tour.) Afterward, the couple was contacted by Films, Incorporated to make six more original animated films, two of which were films for children.
JP and Lillian divorced in 1977, but continued to make films together. (They have remained creative partners and collaborators throughout their lives. It's a long story!) Around this time, JP changed his legal name from John Sauer to JP Somersaulter, thereby adopting the name of one of his cartoon characters. In 1977, JP and Lillian produced "Spooky Boo's and Room Noodles", a children's film about fear of the dark. Following the film's success, the two signed a contract with Coronet Films — which was, at the time, the country's largest producer of educational movies. JP and Lillian then began working with Michael Moats, an audio engineer at Chicago's Zenith / DB Studios who transformed the technical capabilities of Pajon Arts — the corporate name under which JP and Lillian worked. (In 1979, Michael and Lillian married, with JP serving as their best man.)
JP has also produced two feature films, as well as two documentaries about baseball/ (His first feature, "Donna Rosebud", premiered at the Art Institute of Chicago, screened at the Edinburgh Festival and played for two weeks at the Music Box Theater.)
He currently lives in Paraiba, Brazil, and is working on a book.
Michael Moats was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1949. He graduated from Lane Technical High School and played in a rock and roll band before taking a job at Sonart Productions in 1970. As a recording engineer at Sonart, Michael worked with artists including Barry Manilow and Bob Gibson. In addition, he worked on film productions, recording actors including Richard Dreyfus and John Belushi. In 1979, Michael began working with Lillian Somersaulter Moats and JP Somersaulter, filmmakers who made animated art films. The three worked together on a number of films, and Michael and Lillian eventually married. In 1982, they had a son, David. Today, they live in Chicago.