LARRY’S BIG IDEA, 2min,. USA
DIrected by Burton Rocks
Larry’s Big Idea tells the story of an imaginative boy who uses science to invent special batting gloves for his Little League game. The animated short is the first cartoon produced by internationally-recognized scientist and author, Dr. Lawrence Rocks.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Dr. Rocks, my dad, has always been my hero and inspiration, as is my mom. My dad would often reflect on his days caddying as a kid, so I thought it would be great to incorporate these real life anecdotes with science in a cartoon. He’d often tell me how when he was 10 years old he would ride his bicycle from his home to the local golf club to caddie. In the caddie area at the club they called him “Double Duty Larry” because he once carried two bags, one on each shoulder, in a round. I thought this would make for a fun cartoon to help instill a love of golf and science in kids across the globe.

>>> 2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

The cartoon short took about four months from start to finish.

>>> 3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

GOLF ROCKS

>>> 4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The biggest obstacle was trying to make the science easy to understand and yet not over simplifying it.

>>> 5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I enjoyed the genuineness of the feedback.

>>> 6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I had always loved home movies and the idea of making films since I was a kid. I had heard much about the tv show Bonanza, as my cousin David Dortort created it, and he would later mentor me on producing and directing.

>>> 7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

I can’t pick a specific film but I’ve probably watched and studied Bonanza more than anything.