07 Aug

David Cherkassky

David Cherkassky - director, screenwriter, animator

David Cherkassky - director, screenwriter, animator

David Cherkassky was born in Shpola town (Ukrainian SSR), his father was a famous substitute in Council of People’s Commissars Justice in Ukraine. Wife, Natalya Marchenkova, director and animator. Son, Alexander, TV director.

From his childhood Cherkassky dreamt to be involved in animation, nevertheless, he chose an occupation of a builder at first. After his graduation from Kiev National University of Construction and Architecture, for some time worked as an engineer in Proektstalconstrukciya Kiev Panning Organization.

In 1959 came to Kievnauchfilm studio with the aim to work in new department of animation. Underwent a study course in Moscow on Soyuzmultfilm studio of animation.

Worked as designer animator. In 1961 temporarily worked as lighting designer on Kievnauchfilm.

His first motion as animator Cherkassky presented in 1964. The name of the motion is Mystery of the Dark King (a reel to order about the fire-prevention measures) – it got its prize on the festival in Romania in nomination for the best debut film. This film was followed by other motions, among them the serial Adventures of Captain Vrungel, Doctor Aibolit and a sequence Treasure Island.

David Cherkassky invited a lot of workers to the studio he worked at; mainly these were the people he used to study with at the university: Vladimir Dahno, Alla Gracheva, Rem Pruzhansky. Together with David worked his friend, Alexander Tatarsky. Tatarsky recollected in his memories: ‘I worked on an amazing studio, among amazing people. Of course, as in every team there were talented and not really talented people, smart and stupid, honest and rogues, nevertheless each of them can be surely considered as personality’.

From 1969 on all the motions works in pair with the animator Radna Sahaltuev.

At the beginning of 1990-ies, after the lapse of financing from the state, made advertisement reels.

Took part in comic TV programme Golden Goose (Ukr. Zolotyi Gusak).

David Cherkassky is the President of International Animation Festival KROK together with Eduard Nazarov; a member of Golden Ostap Russian Academy of Humour.

In 2006 Cherkassky writes a script for the new motion, which is about to be shot using modern technologies: ‘The film will be named Star Rescuers. Where there actors took part in the filming, I want to use 3D animation: partially the picture is three-dimensional, and the other it part is drawn’.

In year 2008 it was announced about the completion of work with the Treasure Island motion, this film was about to be directed by Cherkassky. Soon the production was frozen in connection with the crisis.

In year 2010 a new competition was announced for the new script of the full version of Adventures of Captain Vrungel, headed by Cherkassky. The results of the competition are still unknown.

Director

1964 – Mystery of the Dark King (prize for The Best Debut)

1967 – Columbus Is Mooring to the Shore

1969 – Mysteria-Buff

1970 – Short Stories

1971 – Oh Wizard

1973 – Around the World Against the Will

1974 – Farewell Pharaohs! (comedy)

1975 – Which Trouble One’s Need

1976-1979 – Adventures of Captain Vrungel (series 1-3 (1976), series 4-6 (1977), series 7-9 (1978), series 10-13 (1979)

1983 – The Wings

1984 – Doctor Aibolit