So I’m starting to write my next short film. I want to do something personal this time; that stretches me internally and gets under my own skin. Its all pretty early and barely on paper, so its not a good idea to talk about the film specifically, but nows a good time for me to revisit and think about my first serious short, Bear Hunt, since I’d like to make something with a similar kind of vibe this time around (I think).
The last few films I’ve made have either been commissioned and written by someone else or, in the case of Deep Six, fun experiments in color and animation-style. Not since Bear Hunt have I done something personal and dark and I really want to deal with some stronger, more potent ideas again. I don’t want to go dark just for the sake of being “edgy” and “extreme” like so many indie animators tend to do. I feel like that was genuine anger and frustration about growing up and joining the adult, working world that I was working through with Bear Hunt, even though it was pretty stinking heavy-handed. I was fairly fresh out of college and I had a very purist perspective on seeking success and rewards in life and its hollowness and meaninglessness. I still think climbing the corporate ladder or whatever is a miserable and soul-sucking way to live, and especially so if you’re ditching your loved ones in your selfish pursuit like the guy in BH. Even so, I see now that the film fails to show empathy towards its main character, and I think thats a big mistake. Even if the old hunter represents everything I hate, I have to give the people watching a reason to care for him and maybe learn something about themselves along the way. Otherwise its dogma or preaching and I’m not interested in doing either of those things.
I wanted people to feel cold and sickened by the hunter’s life and death at the end of that film, and this time I’m also interested in the viewers feeling sad, but without me trying to manipulate their feelings. Hopefully I’ve matured some and can continue a portion of the conversation I began with BH in a more nuanced, empathetic way. Pain and sadness deserve an honest expression. I have worries and fears and sad things inside that flutter around in my peripheral vision that I need to deal with in animation, even though I’m very happy these days generally speaking.
To paraphrase an oft-used line by Mr. David Lynch: You don’t have to be experiencing pain to make a movie about pain.
Well put. Your words here show how much you’ve grown and matured as an artist. The concerns you’re expressing are those of a seasoned veteran of an artistic medium. I think an artist’s accountability on how they choose not to manipulate their audience and how they treat their characters is often overlooked. You must be pretty comfortable in your ability to control your medium of choice. Personally, I still find myself just trying to unclog my own creative ducts with all the mish-mash I learned at film school (a lot of it really good stuff, but it can be stifling as hell when you’re trying to become comfortable with your own creative process!). Anyways, I can relate to what you’re mentioning you want to express in your next film. I look forward to hearing more about it.
Nice to hear from you, thanks for commenting on The Land Eaters. And congrats on your plans to tie the knot, too!
B
— beehray · 432 days ago · #
I am looking forward to the creation of this next project. I really was challenged by the Bear Hunt and I think it offers a challenging message! I also really appreciate how you are interested in challenging your audience to learn from the film as well as take to heart the message you are trying to convey. Once again i look forward to the latest and greatest of your stuff.
— Keith Reeser · 387 days ago · #