Commentary &Independent Animation 14 Sep 2010 07:02 am
Tulip Talks/Chabrol/McCarthy/Kelly
If you would like to hear a recording – dare I say “podcast” – MP3 recording of George Griffin interviewing Paul and Sandra Fierlinger, there is a link to the Film Forum website. It’s a good recording with plenty of audience comments and questions peppering the dialogue.
Take a listen if you have any interest in the work of this key animating couple or in Independent animation. They talk about how the film was funded and made within their small home in Pennsylvania.
Yesterday, David Nethery kindly left several clips on my blog which show how TVPaint was used to make My Dog Tulip.
___________________
Chabrol Dies
- In the last year, we lost the great Eric Rohmer.
Then this Sunday the NY Times reported the death of the brilliant Claude Chabrol. Rohmer was probably one of the greatest influences on my work, but Chabrol brought a grace that I loved watching. He was an inestimably great producer as well as a distinguished director. I recommend you rent a DVD of his work to celebrate his life.
Kevin McCarthy Dies
- And then on Monday I learned of the death of Kevin McCarthy. You may remember this actor from his role in the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers. He led the film, and got to perform in the remake as the guy screaming in the street warning of the next invasion.
McCarthy was a client of my lawyer. The lawyer not only represented him in legal matters but also acted as his agent. I always wanted to use his voice for some film, but the occasion never came up. My loss. McCarthy had a great sound and was a solid actor – and icon of the fifties and sixties.
Greg Kelly
Greg Kelly is a young animator who is working hard to learn the craft. He continues to turn out animation and sends his samples to me for criticism. Here’s a most recent piece of his on Vimeo. Short and cute with a good attempt at character animation. Here and There
The Illusionist
Sylvain Chomet‘s new film, The Illusionist, is scheduled to open in a limited release on Christmas Day, Dec. 25th, this year. It’ll qualify to compete for the Oscar. I’m looking forward to seeing this film, and I’m heading to Ottawa this year, not because I have a film in the race, but because I’m anxious to see Chomet’s movie.
on 14 Sep 2010 at 7:29 am 1.Pete said …
Huh? The illusionist has not appeared in your screens yet? I thought the states would have got first dibs on the film. Makes a change!
on 14 Sep 2010 at 10:20 am 2.Richard said …
I’ve seen Illusionist now 3 times (thankfully, for free) and seriously doubt it’ll get much wide distribution. It’s just not very good. Some of the art and animation is OK, but the overall film is so one note and just plain boring–and has the stamp of an egomaniac all over it. That I could forgive. A boring, pointless film, I can not. BTW–in all three screenings, quite a few people got up and left about halfway through once they realized the film had no where to go.
on 14 Sep 2010 at 1:00 pm 3.Eric Noble said …
I am very interested in seeing My Dog Tulip now. I hope this film does well in theaters. I want to see more adult animated films in theaters. I also want to see The Illusionist. I love the visual style of the film. I hope it’s a good film, and I hope it plays in Seattle.
on 19 Sep 2010 at 4:31 am 4.Steve Brown said …
It is impressive that you would travel all the way to Ottawa to see the illusionist! I hope I have a chance to meet you at the festival!