David Cherkasski: I did not sell the copyright of “Island of treasures” to Americans

Author: Den Dansky

His cartoons were cult among millions of soviet people. They are quite popular now. David Cherkasski is 77, but he still has young soul and a desire to create...

- You graduated from Kyiv engineering and building institute. How did you get to "Scientific movie"?

- I always wished to make cartoons, but there was no strong school in Kyiv, as there is in Moscow. So I decided to enter KISI. I worked for 3 years in building, and then I got licky. I brought by drawings to the cartoon studio of "Scientific movie" and they were approved.

- To create such cartoons, as Doctor Aibolit, Island of treasures and Adventures of captain Vrungel, great experience in needed.

- The most important is to fell in love with your characters, to fell sorry and happy with them. That's why they and I are very much alike. But of course, professional knowledge is also important.

- How long did it take to create these cartoons?

- We had rules in soviet animation. Eight months were given for 10-minute video. I made eleven parts of "Vrungel" for 4 years. "Doctor Aibolit" and "Island of treasures" took 2 years each. Now I don't have that much time. I have to film a full-length cartoon for one year.

- They say that you sold copyright for "Island of treasure" to Americans...

- I did not sell the copyright of "Island of treasures" to Americans. I did not get a penny for it and this process went without my participation.

- The cartoon was remade in the United States...

- Yes, they removed shots with real actors and rewrite the music. Me personally, I don't like their variant.

- Do you like any foreign animation?

- I was in raptures over "Ratatouille" - interesting idea and graphics. As for the loved by millions "Shrek", I don't like the character, it is lifeless.

- You are 77, but you continue working in animation industry. Was it difficult to change a pencil for a computer? 

- In fact, I don't care how to draw - with a pencil, a pen or a computer mouse. In my opinion, computers made the process of cartoon making easier. We don't need huge shops, a computer can do everything.

- How much does it cost to make a cartoon?

- It is depend on a scenario. "Island of treasures" cost the state about 200 thousand soviet rubbles. Now, a good animation needs two or three million.

- It is big money for Ukrainian animation industry!

- Domestic animation suffers because of the lack of financing. This industry was taken more seriously in the Soviet Union. It is difficult to find investments nowadays. But I am sure, when a clash of strong wills is over in our country, they will remember about culture.

- What are you doing now?

- I am working on an animation "Pirates of the treasure island." It would be a parody on all pirate movies. The pilot is ready, but the whole process will take about two years.