Jirf Trnka
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
World-renowned figure who began his career working on cartoons but is best known for his ingenious puppet animation. Notable achievements include the anti-Nazi parable "The Devil of the Springs" (1945), the western satire "Song of the Prairie" (1949), "Old Czech Legends" (1953) and the feature-length "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (1959).
Filmography
Producer (Feature Film)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1923
Began making puppets; as a child, won competition organized by puppeteer Josef Skupa
1926
Worked as shop assistant and modern puppet designer for Josef Skupa's theater
1936
Founded puppet theater, Drevene diviadlo (Wooden Theatre), failed 1937
1945
Began working in animation at "Bratri v triku" Studio; directed first cartoon, "Zasadil dedek repu/Grandpa Planted Beet" (also art director)
1946
Made first puppet film, Zviratka a Petrovsti/The Animals and the Brigands"
1947
Combined several short puppet films dealing with Bohemian folklore themes into the feature-length film, "The Czech Year"
Companions
