“Pinpoint – The Private Eye”
Produced & Directed by Harry Hess
This year celebrates 40 years since a 10-minute animated short, entitled “Pinpoint – The Private Eye”, was completed by students of the NCAD under the guidance of American animator Harry Hess. The story followed a detective mouse who solved intriguing mysteries.
Harry Hess was a hugely talented artist, who had worked with United Productions of America (UPA) in the 50s on projects such as Gerald McBoing-Boing and Mr Magoo. He worked as an animator in Italy before making Ireland his final artistic destination in the 1970’s. Through his role as educator, Harry became one of the founding fathers of animation in Ireland and one of the greatest influences on students whom he taught.
In 1983 as a lecturer at NCAD, Harry came up with the concept of producing a short animated film with the graphics students. He began recruiting and immediately got three dedicated students; Pili Duncan, Yvonne Blackmore, and Nollaig Crombie.
Nollaig, Pili and Yvonne continue to work in the arts and have remained close friends ever since, while Conrad teaches animation at Full Sail Unverity in Florida, USA.
Pinpoint - The Private Eye was screened at
ANIMATION DINGLE on Friday 22nd March 2024
The three classmates worked tirelessly as Pinpoint was made using the traditional methods of, drawing, inking, painting and paper montage. Conrad Winterlich and Mannix Bennet were brought in as camera operators and the entire film was shot under a rostrum camera, which Harry constructed at NCAD.
AS the project progressed, it became clear that additional students and financial assistance would be required to complete the 6,000 cels and many backgrounds. Funding was secured through RTÉ, and the production team grew to more than 20 as preparations began for Pinpoint’s inclusion in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Congress in Seville in 1984.
The film was highly acclaimed and was purchased by fourteen countries for their TV channels. Pinpoint was screened at Annecy in 1985 and was transmitted by RTÉ on Christmas day, for many years after.
