What's On 1997
What's On (1997) is a wildly inventive two-minute animated short that serves as a frenetic assault on American television culture.
Director: Martha Colburn
Frequently Asked Questions
What is What's On (1997) about?
What's On (1997) is a two-minute animated short that critiques American television through chaotic, surreal imagery set to poetry by New York artist '99 Hooker.' The film presents a frenzied collage of mutated pop culture icons and absurd gameshow concepts as a commentary on media saturation.
Who directed What's On?
Martha Colburn directed What's On, bringing her signature style of hand-crafted animation and collage work to this experimental short film.
Who stars in What's On?
Cast information is not available for this animated short film.
Is What's On (1997) worth watching?
What's On offers a unique viewing experience for fans of experimental animation and avant-garde cinema. At just two minutes, it delivers an intense, artistic punch that may resonate with viewers interested in unconventional film techniques and social commentary.
How long is What's On?
What's On has a runtime of 2 minutes.
About What's On (1997) — Surreal TV-Turned-Madness Short Film
What's On (1997) is a wildly inventive two-minute animated short that serves as a frenetic assault on American television culture. Directed by Martha Colburn, this experimental film pairs chaotic visuals with the spoken word poetry of New York's '99 Hooker,' creating a sensory overload that critiques the medium's absurdities. The hand-colored puppet collage bursts with surreal imagery—attacking baboons, a shape-shifting Michael Jackson, and grotesque gameshow concepts—all tumbling through a distorted TV landscape. This isn't conventional cinema but rather a raw, artistic statement that uses rapid-fire animation and collage techniques to mirror the frantic pace of modern broadcasting. The film's compressed runtime amplifies its impact, delivering a concentrated dose of anti-television sentiment through Colburn's distinctive visual style. Viewers are thrust into a hallucinatory world where familiar pop culture icons become warped reflections of society's media consumption. Though brief, What's On (1997) leaves a lasting impression as a bold, uncompromising work of avant-garde filmmaking that challenges audiences to reconsider their relationship with the small screen. The chaotic energy and handmade aesthetic make it a fascinating artifact of late-1990s underground animation.
Stream or download What's On (1997) to experience this unique artistic vision firsthand. The film's experimental nature may not appeal to all viewers, but its fearless creativity offers a refreshing alternative to mainstream entertainment.