UPDATE: The initial February 7 screening sold out, so other screenings have been added. Visit The Little’s website for tickets and the latest info.

Saturday, February 7 at 7:00pm SOLD OUT
Sunday, February 15 at 12:00pm  SOLD OUT
Saturday, February 28 at 4:00pm  SOLD OUT
Sunday, March 1 at 3:00pm  SOLD OUT
Friday, March 6 at 6:00pm
Saturday, March 7 at 12:00pm
Saturday, March 7 at 3:00pm
Sunday, March 8 at 12:00pm

The award-winning documentary, originally produced in 1994, tells the little-known story of the rail line that operated in a former section of the Erie Canal from 1927 until its abandonment in 1956. Produced by filmmakers Fredrick Armstrong and James P. Harte, “The End of the Line” recounts the tale of an American city’s bumpy ride through the Twentieth Century, from the perspective of a little engine that could, but didn’t. A fan-favorite for many years, this film has aired on WXXI and the History Channel.

But something new has been in the works over the last 5 years… a complete digital restoration in HD from the ground up.

The original team from Animatus Studio has reunited to bring this story into the 21st Century with Michael Champlin of DeBergerac Productions. The entire program has been remastered with enhanced audio, restored footage, and newly recreated graphics.

In this updated version, the filmmakers return to the abandoned subway tunnel, as well as visiting the Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. The resulting film covers what has changed since 1994 and reflects on why the subway still holds so much interest today.

The result is a fresh, high-quality version that highlights Rochester’s unique place in American transit history. “The End of the Line – Rochester’s Subway 2.0” offers both longtime fans and new viewers a vivid look at how one city’s ambitions reflected those of many across the country.

The Little Theatre is located at 240 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604. Tickets are $10 and available for pre-order on the Little’s website at https://thelittle.org/end-of-the-line-rochesters-subway-2026/

The post See the remastered THE END OF THE LINE on the big screen first appeared on Animatus Studio.

Article and video posted by Seth Voorhees, Spectrum News, December 1, 2025.

See the video from Spectrum news HERE.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A new version of an old documentary that tells the story of Rochester’s long-lost subway is nearly complete. A screening date has been set for the re-release of “The End of the Line.”

For the film’s producers, getting there has meant overcoming challenges in finding old footage used in the initial release three decades ago. There are also some new treasures — and a new ending.

For Mike Champlin and Fred Armstrong, the five-year project started out of COVID lockdown boredom.

“I reached out to Fred and said, ‘hey, you busy?’” said Champlin, owner of DeBergerag Productions in Fairport. “And he said, ‘not really.’ And I said, ‘what do you think of working on the subway again?’”

The reference to the subway pertains to the documentary the pair first completed in 1994. One that’s getting a new look and a new ending.

“One of the biggest challenges was something that completely surprised us,” said Champlin. “We thought originally it was going to be working with the physical media, but it turns out it was finding the physical media that was the hardest part.”

After its initial showing, “The End of the Line” came out on VHS and DVD in a screen format that no longer lives with today’s televisions. Three decades ago, the producers were limited in the special effects available at the time.

“The whole idea of us doing this is to make it look as good as we can,” said Armstrong, owner of Animatus Studio in Rochester.

Improvements include enhancing old photos using movement and 3D imaging, done at Armstrong’s studio. Last year, the filmmakers put out a call to the public for old photos and film footage used in the original, some of which hadn’t been seen in decades.

“Well, 32 years later, trying to find the footage has been quite the journey,” said Armstrong.

Some footage has been lost. Most of the people in the original documentary are no longer alive. Champlin and Armstrong have been able to uncover some images that were not included in the original film. Drone footage and new interviews mixed with the old will all be part of an updated, modernized production, telling the story of America’s first small city to build a subway — and, in the 1950s — the first to shut it down.

“The story originally ended on a rather maudlin, ‘End of the Line’ was the name of it,” said Champlin. “In this version, we are rewriting the third act to more accurately reflect the fact that Rochester hasn’t let this go.”

Champlin says the subway’s history is being kept alive at local train museums, including the long-awaited restoration of Car 60, the last remaining car from the Rochester subway, which sat inside a barn for decades.

“And 30 years later, there’s a team of 20 plus people that are volunteering their time and know-how on the complete restoration of that car, said Champlin. “With the intention of getting it to run again.”

After receiving $15,000 in the 1990s to make the initial documentary, the reboot is entirely self-funded.

“If we weren’t having so much fun doing it, it would be a drag,” said Armstrong. “I wouldn’t want to do it.”

The filmmakers say they’re not really changing the story of the end of the line, but bringing it into the 21st century.

“Five years later, we’re just about ready to unleash it on the public,” laughed Champlin.

With that comes the pressure of a deadline. A debut screening is scheduled for Feb. 7 at The Little Theatre in Rochester.

A story of what was, and what could have been — told to a new generation.

“I think it’s time for the Rochester public to reacquaint itself with the Rochester subway, as we’ve known it,” said Champlin. “And, I couldn’t be happier.”

The post Updated documentary on Rochester’s long-lost subway nearly finished first appeared on Animatus Studio.

Will Cleveland wrote about the collab on his Substack:

https://clevelandprost.substack.com/p/iconic-house-of-guitars-celebrated

***

Here’s the story from WROC:

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Three Heads Brewing is teaming up with the House of Guitars for a new beer celebrating the iconic music shop’s 60th anniversary year. The Blue Nose Guitarman Blueberry Belgian Waffle Cream Ale features artwork commemorating the House of Guitars’ “Armand The Blue Nose Guitarman” holiday commercials. It’s described as “a celebration in a glass,” combining the Schaubroeck family’s Belgian heritage and a local cream ale beer style. Blue Nose Guitarman Blueberry Belgian Waffle Cream Ale The beer will officially launch with a party at Three Heads Brewing on Atlantic Avenue Friday, November 15. There will be music from music from JunkyardFieldtrip and Wajah and the Free People, as well as a montage of footage from old House of Guitars ads, claymation, and previously unreleased clips. 

***

And here’s a fun reel from Three Heads, over on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/575800781647750

The post House of Guitars Beer with a nod to Animatus Studio first appeared on Animatus Studio.

Article and video posted by Seth Voorhees, Spectrum News, June 2, 2024.

See the video from Spectrum news HERE.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Two documentary producers in Rochester are looking for a little assistance in finding old images that will help them make a new version of a film they first created 30 years ago. The subject is an idea in Rochester that seemingly was before its time, which was once an integral part of how people got around the city.

Any story that’s worth telling is worth re-telling. For Fred Armstrong and Mike Champlin, it’s the story of what Rochester once had. A subway system which was designed to reduce traffic on city streets.

“It was lucky it was built at all, I guess,” said Armstrong. “The original idea of the subway was to be a motorway.”

It is a story that starts underground, in a place Armstrong hasn’t visited in quite a while.  What’s now a canvas for graffiti artists and a playground for urban explorers was once part of a once-bustling city’s transportation system.

“This was a marvel,” said Armstrong. “This was a modern marvel.”

In 1926,  Rochester, New York became the smallest city in the U.S. to build a subway. What’s left of it, under Broad Street, is largely hidden.  Unnoticeable to those who never knew about it.  Unknown — to those who pass above it.

Thirty years ago, Armstrong, owner of Animatus Studio, produced a documentary on Rochester’s subway called The End of the Line.

“It was just one of those stories I’ve never been able to put down myself,” said Mike Champlin, who served as editor. “It’s just such an incredible amalgam of technology and nostalgia.”

Because there was so much to work with, what was initially to be a 15-minute documentary ran 45 minutes. The End of the Line is fittingly named, documenting how Rochester also became the first American city to abandon its subway — in 1957.

“It just didn’t get the ridership,“ said Armstrong.  “Back in the 50’s and 60’s when urban renewal was starting to take place, they really thought the city was going to grow.  And the city did not grow.”

Old rail cars were destroyed. Tracks were dismantled. A once-promising part of Rochester’s history had faded away.

“Bring up to anybody in Rochester that we had a subway, if they didn’t know, it’s like, what are you talking about?” said Armstrong. “It’s crazy.”

The original documentary came out on VHS and later, DVD. Armstrong and Champlin, who owns Debergerac Productions in Pittsford, both believe the story holds up well all these years later. But the technology, not as much.

“He’s been bugging me for years to redo it,” said Armstrong.

“During COVID, we were all sitting in our own offices,” recalls Champlin.  “And I said there’s enough here.”

Which prompted something Armstrong never could have imagined.

“Never,” he said.  “I thought that was it.”

The two longtime friends are now working on a new version of an old story.  A modern version in high def and high resolution.

“Not that I’m not proud of this, but it’s time to make it better,” said Armstrong.

It’s easier said than done.  The original interviews were shot on Hi 8, with folks who are no longer here.

“Everybody except for one has passed on, including the narrator,” said Champlin.

Three decades later, tracking down all of the old photographs and film used in the original has been difficult.  The documentary makers say they’ll accept any old photos or film that helps them tell the story of Rochester’s old subway.  They hope to complete the project by the end of the year.

“We’re realizing how much of this history is now scattered all over the place,” said Champlin.

History, and a story now getting a modern makeover.  A tale of what was — and what might have been.

“That’s part of it, I think,” said Champlin.  “The dream of what could have been is eternal.”

Two men who believe the story of Rochester’s long gone subway is still worth retelling.

“This is a story that you can’t put down,” he said.  “It’s a story that continues to inspire, and it’s one that awakens new interests in anyone who sees it.

The post Rochester Subway Documentary Gets a Reboot first appeared on Animatus Studio.

The RPO first came to Animatus to ask about creating a one-minute introductory animation. The challenge was to show the moon eclipsing the sun in an artistic and interesting way. Artist Mike Boas considered photographic reference and expressionistic color to create an artistic interpretation of the total solar eclipse using Adobe After Effects.

Enjoy the finished animation below!

The post Animatus eclipse animation opens RPO show first appeared on Animatus Studio.

Since working as an animation intern with Animatus Studio in the late 90’s on Derf the Viking, Billy Seccombe has gone on to pursue various avenues within the art world. His brief animation career animation was highlighted as a freelance visual development artist for Big Idea Studios working on the show “3-2-1 Penguins” where he created backgrounds, props, and set designs. For most of his career however he has worked as a Senior Designer for Franco Mfg. in Metuchen, New Jersey within the children’s licensing industry. He works with various movie studios to create children’s bedding for properties such as Universal Jurassic World, Nickelodeon Spongebob and Paw Patrol, Warner Bros. Batman, Nintendo Super Mario, Sonic, Lego, and WWE.

Through his company Art Factory Studios, Billy has also developed his craft as a caricature artist drawing for various events around the tri-state area. He has collaborated with Jonathan Martin Creative illustrating large-scale mural installations for children’s learning centers.

Lastly, Seccombe has also continued his passion of painting as a fine artist. He is represented by Dacia Gallery in NYC and has shown with the gallery in numerous shows throughout the years. His realistic figurative style has been featured in International Artist magazine, is affiliated with Michael Harding Oil Paints, and has his own paint brush line with Rosemary & Co. Brushes. He has taught drawing and painting with DuCret School of Art and also the Dacia New York City Artist Residency. Billy currently resides in Metuchen, NJ with his family.

Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-seccombe-2801ab11/

Website:
http://www.billyseccombe.com

The post Animatus Spotlight on Billy Seccombe first appeared on Animatus Studio.

In our next several posts, we’re going to feature former workshop students and Animatus artists who’ve gone on to careers in animation.

DeLon Warren attended the Animation Workshop for several years, making some of the most ambitious cartoons as a student!

After graduating from the University of Southern California in 2018, DeLon storyboarded for the 93rd Academy Award-winning short “If Anything Happens I Love You” on Netflix. DeLon then became a storyboard artist for various adult animated shows, such as Crackle’s “SuperMansion,” Hulu’s “Crossing Swords” and “Woke,” and Adult Swim’s “Robot Chicken” for Stoopid Buddy Stoodios and FOX’s “HouseBroken” at Bento Box Entertainment. DeLon also did storyboard work and character, prop, and background design work for the five-time Emmy-nominated educational Netflix series “Waffles + Mochi,” starring Michelle Obama, Donald Glover’s “Atlanta” on FX, and Amazon Prime’s “The Boys” while at Six Point Harness. Additionally, he was an  animation assistant for Chiodo Bros. Productions’ stop-motion Netflix special, “Alien Xmas.”

In 2022, DeLon directed, wrote, and produced a 14-minute short, “Rainbow Floor,” with the help of his friends, including Animatus Studio’s alum Davey Jarrell! The short is screening in various film festivals worldwide, including the Academy and BAFTA-qualifying OutFestLA. DeLon’s currently working on a new unannounced short with his longtime friend and colleague, Barry Strum, while also working in the industry as a storyboard artist.

Website:
https://www.delonwarren.com

The post Animation Spotlight on DeLon R. Warren first appeared on Animatus Studio.

In our next several posts, we’re going to feature former workshop students and Animatus artists who’ve gone on to careers in animation.

Davey Jarrell attended the Animation Workshop for several years, making some wonderfully bizarre cartoons as a student!

Davey has worked primarily as a storyboard artist in TV animation since graduating from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2017. He’s currently storyboarding on a new show at Nickelodeon called “Rock, Paper, Scissors”, which is set to premiere in 2023. He has also storyboarded on Nickelodeon’s “The Patrick Star Show” and “Baby Shark’s Big Show”, “Teen Titans Go!”, “Beebo Saves Christmas” and “Yabba-Dabba Dinosaurs!” at Warner Brothers, the adult animated shows “Crossing Swords” and “Supermansion”, and Jim Henson’s “Dinosaur Train.” He also worked as a storyboard artist, writer, and voice actor on the PBS Kids show, “Let’s Go Luna!”

In the independent sphere, Davey has written and directed the award-winning short films “Just Say No” and “Bussin'”, which he produced with fellow Animatus alum, DeLon Warren.

Davey also serves as the Director of Programming for the educational non-profit Animation Resources, for which he has been a board member since 2020. He’s also a member of Trifecta Comedy, a sketch comedy troupe that performs live shows around Los Angeles and whose digital content has been featured on “Funny or Die.”

The post Animation Spotlight on Davey Jarrell first appeared on Animatus Studio.

Congratulations are also long overdue to Jonathan Popper, who won a DIGIE Award in 2020 for his animated short “The Silk Road.” Jonathan produced the piece as a school assignment, then worked with the Animation Workshop to add sound and finalize the piece.

The DIGIES is an annual digital media conference and festival run by the School Library System, a program of the Genesee Valley BOCES. The mission of The DIGIES is to strengthen the digital media continuum between PreK-12 schools, higher education and professional institutions. The DIGIES recognizes student potential in an annual festival format and draws student entries from all throughout the region and the Upstate New York area.

Jonathan has been attending our workshops for a few years now, and continues to tell his stories through comic art and animation. Congrats!

The post Workshop Student Jonathan Popper Wins DIGIE Award first appeared on Animatus Studio.

Congratulations to DeLon Warren, who was part of the storyboard team on “If Anything Happens, I love You,” which won this year’s Academy Award for best animated short!

“If Anything Happens, I Love You” tells the story of two grieving parents as they mourn the loss of their child. The 13-minute short is streaming now on Netflix.

DeLon took our Animation Workshops in Rochester for several years, producing some amazing work. He went on to study at the USC School of Cinematic Arts in California. Other recent credits include Waffles + Mochi, Woke, and SuperMansion. He has also formed a company called Acute Animation with another Workshop alumnus, Davey Jarrell. Their short film, Bussin’, can be seen here.

Congratulations, DeLon, and we can’t wait to see what you do next!

The post Former Workshop student DeLon Warren honored with Academy Award first appeared on Animatus Studio.