When I heard that my short animated film 21st Century Boy had been selected for the digital library at the festival I was ecstatic bear in mind the film took me three years and three months to complete! And I had no funds to create this or a team to support me. Just myself and a personal friend of mine Peter Shaw who happens to be very good with sound design was the basis of my team so to be at such a prestigious event was a great effort on our part. With this news I was set on going to the festival familiarising myself with the surroundings and setup of the festival which I hadn't been to since 2008.
Unfortunately my colleague Peter couldn't come along on this occasion so I set off on my own to Bristol. Now this was my third time at Animated encounters what impresses me about this event is the constant strive to improve year upon year. The reputation that has been built up doesn't show any sign of being undermined at least not through lack of effort on the festival staff's part. I was impressed straight away when I arrived at the festival venue. I had caught a train down to Bristol on Monday afternoon from Birmingham new street the schedule of films and events didn't begin until Tuesday evening. I thought I would get settled before a hectic few day's at screenings, parties and networking became the norm. I can't fault the staff at this Festival they were friendly,helpful and enthusiastic about what they were doing as well as being very polite and professional.
This event is now a combined Animation and Film festival so the early part of my experience was spent watching mainly live action short films from all over the world. Some good some bad some indifferent but all interesting in their own way my love of film extends to live action as well I am not just totally biased to Animation although it is what I love to practice and ultimately my passion. I bumped into quite a few familiar faces that I had already been acquainted with as well as making some new contacts. It was particularly great seeing my old University colleague Avogusta she is living and working in Bristol directing an animated children's T.V show. I always knew she would do well for herself after three years at least since I had last saw her it was really good to she her doing so well. I watched a Documentary on Disney and how the company basically had to re-invent themselves back in the 1980's or risk the company possibly going under.
After that particular screening was one of the first of many parties this one was great while we were waiting for the boat to take us the other side of the channel to Spikey Island I ended up speaking to Peter Lord!!!
Yes co owner of Aardman animations he was very easy to talk to and quite approachable which was very pleasing I had a long chat with him. On the way to the the bar we walked past Aardman studios well one of them anyway, then to the party quite a surreal experience to be honest this was part bar part art gallery?! There way complimentary drinks of course spiced Sailor Jerrie's and coke/ginger beer and a live band all in all a good night. Got talking to loads of different people all at different levels in the film/animation industry from some third year students to David Sproxton co owner of Aardman.
By the last but one day of my five days (Thursday) I had been in countless screenings and discussions as much as I enjoy this event by the end of it all you do find yourself tired out. It don't help that your constantly indoors in the warm sitting in cinema's in the dark your brain is fooled into believing that it's time to close your eyes!! I found myself talking to David Sproxton before I had another party that night official invite again this time at a Bar opposite the festival venue. I found we had a lot to talk about like his colleague Peter Lord he`was very approachable and easy to talk to we were in friendly conversation like two old buddies!! After talking to Mr Sproxton I found my way to this bar for the networking party the beer was flowing and sure enough cards were exchanged to cap it off nicely I got to speak to a filmmaker whose work I really like.
Chris Shepherd(Slinky pictures) is someone whose work I really like I waited for quiet sometime to speak to him and it was only brief but it was well worth the wait.
Friday was my last day and with the exception of the morning's networking brunch which I found again to be quiet productive there was one more screening left to go to which I had promised the organiser I would be going to. This was a pilot of 3D TV and films I found the 3D glasses started to hurt my eyes after ten minutes viewing I did wonder if this was a result of my sight generally(I'm short sighted and wear glasses) or my position in the audience maybe being more central allows for better viewing. Despite that I was impressed with the quality of this new medium it's definitely something I personally will be exploring use of HD and 3D films a market is already beginning to gain strength in the industry.
I left Bristol feeling how I usually do when I come back from a festival inspired, excited and generally convinced this is what I want to do and hopefully some steps however small have been taken.
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