The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility
New release
Coming 
None

Ernie's Idea

1996 12 min
Leaving soon

This short animation tells the story of Ernie, a simple fellow who loves his job. One day, the blissful routine of Ernie's life is thrown into chaos when a pesky and persistent idea suddenly decides to follow him around, demanding attention in the most disruptive ways. Suddenly Ernie's job is in jeopardy. What do you do with an idea, when you've never had one before? How can you tell if it's worth contemplating or just plain trouble?

We're sorry, this content is not available in your location.
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.
Not available
Share
Ernie's Idea

Details

This short animation tells the story of Ernie, a simple fellow who loves his job. One day, the blissful routine of Ernie's life is thrown into chaos when a pesky and persistent idea suddenly decides to follow him around, demanding attention in the most disruptive ways. Suddenly Ernie's job is in jeopardy. What do you do with an idea, when you've never had one before? How can you tell if it's worth contemplating or just plain trouble?

  • director
    Claire Maxwell
    Peter Vogler
  • producer
    Svend-Erik Eriksen
  • executive producer
    Barbara Janes
    Svend-Erik Eriksen
  • camera
    Tom Brydon
    Lynka Belanger
    Alvin Chong
  • editing
    Janice Brown
    Liz Walker
  • sound editing
    James Ilecic
    Kirby Jinnah
  • animation
    Claire Maxwell
    Tracy Lewis
  • re-recording
    Christopher James
  • narrator
    Mike Cram
  • music
    John Forrest

Enjoy the NFB experience on your favourite device

Education

Ages 8 to 18
Study Guide
School subjects

In this animated short film, Ernie is perplexed and even fearful of an idea he has. This film could be used in any subject where the viewers are expected to generate ideas, solve problems or be creative, as well as in situations where new ideas are being introduced and change will happen. Discussions, writing and research topics could centre around: Where do ideas come from, what interferes with new ideas taking off versus what makes new ideas easily accepted, do the viewers have ideas that could be inventions of the future? Artists need regular access to creative ideas; what helps the creative process to happen?

Ernie's Idea
Purchase options
Also available
Licence information
Already paid to see this film?
Licencing information

Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

You may download this film for private, personal or classroom use only. Public screenings and institutional (non-educational institutions) uses are not permitted. Download films in standard or high definition. (Please note that bonus materials are not available for DTO films.) You can copy each file up to 5 (five) times, onto various devices. DTO films cannot be hosted on a streaming server. To add DTO films to an institutional or educational streaming server, please contact a sales agent to discuss pricing.

Institutional licence

The institutional price includes the rights to screen this film in institutional settings and in free public screenings.