Daily post 19 Sep 2008 09:40 am
Ottawa Festival Diary Wednesday
- I have some access to the internet, so I’ll try to post a wrap up of my days here. If I wait till Monday too much will back up and I won’t be as thorough. Kindly, excuse the lack of pictures since I don’t have access to photo sharing. I’m taking many and will post them when I return on Monday. Pictures I’m posting come from other sites. So, here’s what I saw on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- I arrived in Ottawa on Tuesday at about 5:30 pm. Fran Krause was on the same flight, and we chatted during the trip. He had a short, pilot film he’d done for Cartoon Network as part of the Children’s TV program; I have a retrospective coming this Saturday. I was also scheduled to talk twice on Wednesday to two groups of children. The flight was inconsequential; no delays, no problems. Carry on luggage, take off your shoes, get on the plane. The Hotel I was assigned was the Hotel Indigo – a great hotel though it ends up being at least a mile away from anything. Lots and lots of walking during the stay.
On Wednesday, I walked to the National Gallery where I would have a short screening and talk to a theater full of children. Arriving, I met with the Festival’s Jerrett Zaroski, who had arranged things for me. He sadly told me that the second show that day had been canceled. Apparently, Canada’s government decided to cancel school buses for extracurricular activities – the kids couldn’t get there. Actually, I think Jerrett was more disappointed than I; I was glad to have the time for myself to reacquaint with Ottawa.
However, there was this first show, and about 200 kids arrived en masse. They were loud until the program started; then they were absolutely silent. On leaving, I’d decided, at the last minute, to take a BETA copy of LYLE LYLE CROCODILE. I knew this 1/2 hour show would be a crowd pleaser and would brighten this show. I also added DR. DE SOTO and THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS. It made for a diverse show and gave me about 45 mins. to talk. I talked before and after each film, and gave the kids 25 min. for a Q&A which had to be shut down when time arrived. The program went really well and started the trip off well for me.
After lots of strolling, I went to a screening of WALTZ WITH BASHIR. It’s an odd film that didn’t overwhelm me. The story was good, but the imagery consisted of poorly animated illustrations of the soundtrack. Chuck Jones used to call it illustrated radio. The film was done primarily with Flash.
This show was followed by the first of the short film competitions. There was a lengthy introduction and opening, which included a speech by Festival director, Chris Robinson, and an award presentation to Karl Cohen by Marcy Page and Deanna Morse. This finally led to the program that was excellent as Festival short programs go. The quality of the films here, so far this year, is at least “good” with a couple of really brilliant films I’m pleased to have seen and look forward to seeing again.
Three, in particular, from this show really stood out for me.
The Noir was an extraordinary tour de force of animation by Serge Elissalsde. Excellent design built around a very live line against white background. It was about a man who feared drinking his tea almost as much as he feared pigeons.The Heart of Amos Klein was was an Israeli film by Michal Pfeffer and Uri Kranot about the Israel-Palestinian conflict. In about __________The Heart of Amos Klein
10 minutes it gave a complete history
of the problems there and focused on one tyrannical Israeli officer and how, even his one death, might have changed events. Well animated and nicely designed. It was a subject I wasn’t interested in yet was wholly drawn into this thoroughly compelling film.
The House of Small Cubes was far and away the best of the night and I can’t imagine any other film in the Festival bettering it. A brilliant Japanese short from Kunio Kato, it told of a man who lived in an ever flooding house that cascaded into the life story of this elder occupant. It was beautifully designed, animated,__________The House of Small Cubesscored and produced film. A real treat.
The Opening night party followed at a club called Helsinki. It felt more like a bar with a strobe light that attended to the loud music while we were all given a free drink. I went in with Candy Kugel who left quickly, tired and trying to confirm her quarters – she’d just arrived – and I talked with John Halfpenny and Barry Ward (of Bardel Animation). An hour was enough for me; I was tired too. It was a great first day.
on 19 Sep 2008 at 10:05 am 1.David Nethery said …
Thanks for the report . I’m disappointed that I had to miss Ottawa this year. I wanted to see your retrospective and to see the Richard Williams retrospective and interview , among other things.
“Lots and lots of walking during the stay.”
That’s actually one of the things I like about Ottawa. It’s a good town for walking around in (except in winter !) . Last time I was at the Ottawa festival I ate and drank a lot , but I actually lost about 5 pounds over that 4 days ! My sedentary ways sitting in front of a drawing table and/or a computer has led to the dreaded “animator’s spread” (to go with my nicely developing “animator’s hunchback” ) so I wish I lived in a city that was easier to get around on foot.
“An hour was enough for me.”
Yes, some of the parties are too much for me . Too loud . After the shows I want to relax with a drink and talk to old and new friends about animation, life , the universe and everything until the wee hours of the morning , but in a nice quiet atmosphere. No strobe balls and loud music , thanks.
Looking forward to the photos when you get back.
on 19 Sep 2008 at 3:28 pm 2.Tim Rauch said …
Thanks for sharing, I’m looking forward to getting up there myself some year and it sounds like fun. Maybe next year someone else can be a lifeguard instead of me? Have a good time!