The Elements
Private Hand
Creators: Tom Lehrer, Sir Arthur Sullivan, Mike Stanfill
Length: 1 minute
Watch The Cartoon

In the 1950s, humorist Tom Lehrer wrote a series of song on mundane subjects. One of his most popular one, The Elements was nothing but a listing of all the elements from the periodic table. Animator Mike Stanfill added an animation to match the old song and add zaniness to the old classic.

This animation is quite useful and for kids learning about science and bigger one who forgot chemistry. Created in 1955, the periodic table is not complete, but that’s the last of Lehrer’s problems. He even tells viewers that the list is as updated as the times and information from Harvard University permits. Stanfill obliges and gives us the names of the new elements.

This project is a sing along using motion graphics instead of character animation with enough character to capture the viewer’s interest. The strength of the animation is how closely it fits with the soundtrack. The motion graphics sequences could have used a little more creativity but in the limited time provided, it’s acceptable. More added graphics would have livened up the lettering.
Hervé