When HBO acquired the rights to Very Semi-Serious: A Partially Thorough Portrait of New Yorker Cartoonists and had its world premiere as a part of the Tribeca Film Festival, the work of director Leah Walchok and producer Davina Pardo's was officially validated. The feature-length documentary opens a window into the cartoon department of an iconic institution spotlighting legendary artists, who have engaged readers with their quirky, sometimes-baffling, off-beat humor for decades. Featured among them is the single-panel cartoon legend and editor, Bob Mankoff.
Interesting vignettes appear and dissolve about the lives of New Yorker cartoonists as we watched with general curiosity. Just who are these individuals that have touched the hearts of the masses and created a cultural tradition? What is the skill set required of those who make us laugh? And with honest candor, the answers come. From veterans to aspiring new comers--a changing demographic from an all white, chronologically-gifted male group--the work is an equal-opportunity passion motivated by an array of experiences. The film makes it clear of freelancers, who work diligently to make a weekly appearance in print, that success as a cartoonist will never lead to a money-making career or ever enable them to quit their day jobs. Yet still they persist.
Walchok's debut film provides us with a history of the cartoon department at the New Yorker since the magazine launched in 1925 and chronicles the names of celebrated artists such as William Steig, James Thurber, and Charles Addams who have shaped the genre while peeking into the lives of present day hopefuls like Liana Finck, who happens to be a SHE! Young. Talented. An accomplished graphic novelist. Then there's the free spirited ED Steed, who discovered the New Yorker while backpacking through Vietnam, both who have been comically validated by Mankoff himself.
Fast forward, we get an unprecedented glimpse into the process of cartoon selection, where we become observers to Mankoff's genius perusing through countless submissions and pitches; the beginning of the editorial life cycle and from there, the process unfolds. As well does Mankoff's life as we watch him through the peaks and valleys of time throughout the film; the most challenging being the tragic loss of a family member. Mankoff has an open door policy on Tuesday mornings in the lounge, where veteran and aspiring cartoonists mingle. While it is a mandate to shape new talent in an effort to remain relevant, an agreement endorsed by editor-in-chief David Remnick, the road to diversity is still some distance away, as the staff is still mostly white and largely male.
Decades after America's tragedy of 911, the New Yorker has moved from Times Square to One World Trade Center. From a location of glitz and marvel to one of horrific disaster, a sunken feeling came over me and minutes later I was laughing again. I'm left with the sense that the great equalizer we call laughter of--the one with which we are all privy; shows no discrimination; and keeps us light-hearted--will strengthen our rise above any adversity. Kudos!
"Very Semi-Serious" will air MONDAY, DEC. 7 (9:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) exclusively on HBO, following a limited theatrical run (Nov. 20-Dec. 3) in New York at Lincoln Plaza, in San Francisco at the Roxie Theater and in Los Angeles.
Jennifer Burton is a filmmaker, TV producer and founder of ALEXZUS Media. She is the author of the Telham Park book series for teens, advocates empowerment for the disenfranchised, equality for working women and endeavors to projects in bridging the global divide.
