Back From AURORA 2007

Sorry everyone I didn't post this report right away... I've been jet lagged and slept around a lot.

AURORA was an amazingly refreshing festival. I am glad I went... The Festival Director Adam Pugh is very down to earth. I felt like I've already known him when I first spoke to him. He is also a very honest man... He confessed to the AURORA crowd during opening night, "You won't like everything you see here, and it'll be boring if you did." And...

I didn't like everything I see, but it was refreshing seeing so many work taking risks. Most of them weren't plastic copies I remember not liking before, and all had interesting potentials.... So even though I didn't like eveything, I wasn't bored. I only fall asleep because of the jet lag. ;) Honest!

This is much like what Adam predicted and I really appreciate his honesty. He really is a gentleman with a lot of guts.

The concept of AURORA is based on more visual arts practice than previous animation festivals I know of. The festival apparently dropped its 'Animation' name because it doesn't want to be just an animation festival. To me it feels like a cross between animation, video art, visual art, and cinema.... There are probably some odd things in between too... But I think these are the main ingredients.

The language I learned in academic classes, and acting skills I learned in Grade 10 Drama come handy during presentations and Q & A.

Naoyuki Tsuji who makes interesting charcoal erasure animation like William Kentridge was there to present his retrospective to the festival. He didn't speak much English when I talked to him. I mentioned he looks like the protagonist from "The Man Who Stole The Sun" (He does), he laughed and tried to communicate with me how much he loved that film. It's amazing how a film title can become the key to language barriers.

Jeff Scher and Robert Breer also were there to present their retrospectives. Their works are funny much like they are as people behind the scenes. Works by Jim Trainor are supposed to be funny too... Unfortunately I was jet lagged and missed his jokes.

During the Q & A, there were many questions about my film's ending in Screening 1 and 3. Sometimes I wonder perhaps this is why I am invited with this film.... The Ultimate Student Animator will be there and give all of you the Ultimate Answer of "What Happened." It was funny because I said different things every time I get asked about the finale... So I gave them a total of Three Ultimate Answers. I feel really lucky to be part of this great festival.

Many participating artists and students attended AURORA. Like me, most of them were traveling by themselves. It was easy to make friends there since we were always looking for lunch buddies.

Lots of free drinks... I didn't get drunk, but it was entertaining talking to red faced people about films.

I walked a lot in the city. It was one of my favorite things to do during this trip. The roads are not planned like the grid system in North America; they are organic and unpredictable at turns. The streets are also empty enough on quiet days. I can really disappear in the city.

"Molecules" didn't win any awards in AURORA ... but the people who liked it were very supportive..

(Thank you!)

Quietly into Tokyo

When I was in AURORA I met Kotaro Tanaka and Takafumi Tsuchiya, participating artists who are part of a collective Spread Videoart Project 2nd aspect (SVP2) in Tokyo. I gave them my screener, and talked about some of my favorite Japanese filmmakers (like usual). Today I was thrilled when Kotaro emailed me about screening MOLECULES in their BUREIKOU Event on December 1st! It's a private screening where SVP2 have screenings, lectures, and conversation between filmmakers and audiences.

BUREIKOU in Japanese means the place where people enjoy being together without worrying about their position and honour.

Despite my excitement, I was worried about how BUREIKOU will disqualify me from Hiroshima Festival and Short Shorts.. Two Festivals in Japan that ask for Japanese Premier. But apparently the screening's too quiet for that to happen...

So if you are in Tokyo, please come and enjoy this quiet screening.

BUREIKOU will take place at Victor JVC Bldg, Dec.1, 2007.

SVP2 Blog: http://blog.svp2.com/
SVP2 Website: http://svp2.com/
Kotaro Tanaka: http://kotarotanaka.net/
Takafumi Tsuchiya: http://takafumitsuchiya.com/

Molecules in AURORA 2007

WHAT!? Molecules' going to UK??

It's going to be in AURORA 2007, under "Student Films 2: If Not All, Then None" competing for the Best Student Film.

Here are the screening dates:

Thursday 8 November 2007 12:00: Screen 1
Thursday 8 November 2007 20:00: Screen 2
Friday 9 November 2007 22:00: Screen 3

Since it's World Premier and I've never been to Europe, I will attend.

Hope to see you all there ;)

The End of Molecules

OOPS ~ Forgot to add a "Mission Accomplished" post. The film fortunately was completed for the external grad show. People who have yet to see it and want to may have to arrange special screenings with me. Or catch it in one of the upcoming film festivals. I will post festival information as soon as they are announced.

Very big, tearful Thank-yous go to the people who helped. Without you people, this animation would have been a Christmas release.

2 min 52 sec footage.

Right click here to view the first 2 min 52 sec footage.

Working A lot

Have lots of stuffs done and to do recently ... I'll post all my new scenes in the next edited version of "Molecules."

Meanwhile, here's a WIP ... Thank you Mark Lee and Justin Murphy for life saving help on this one.

1 Minute 20 Seconds

See the April 4th Update.