OH, YES...
JUST A LITTLE.
by Hunter Jon
Animation comes in many different forms. It also comes in a variety of lengths. A lot of the best filmmaking I’ve ever seen has been in short form animation.
One could argue that animation in general is the purest (and hardest) form of visual storytelling, as you not only have to create every frame, but everything that exists within that frame. No cartoon lamp post was just there to begin with for you to point your camera at - it had to be consciously created.
Others could argue that ‘short films’ of any kind have a purity to their plots that you can’t find in feature length fare. You’re not writing to qualify as anything so-called traditional. In other words, no page count has to be met in order for it to ‘count’. So, ideally, you end up with stories that are exactly as long as they need to be.
Combine the two arguments and you’re really making a case for animated shorts being the only form of filmmaking that truly knows no bounds. And therefore having the ability to be the best kinds of movies out there. Which is why it’s such a shame that so many of them go unwatched and/or under-appreciated. Perhaps this is because most people don’t know what they’re missing or simply where to start.
So, in an effort to spread the word, here’s a random assortment of animated bits and pieces that I personally adore.
ALPHABUDDIES: CAT (2015) This quick gem was made by the late Blair Kitchen. It’s a true testament to his talent as an animator and a storyteller. I really wish he’d gotten to make many more. To enjoy more of his work, head on over to possumpress.com. |
THE DANISH POET (2006) Sometimes you admire/enjoy something so much that you have very little to say about it beyond: I love it. Everything about it. So much. I long for love like this. |
HIGH NOTE (1960) Proof that Chuck Jones doesn’t even need a character to have a face, let alone a familiar one, to do his thing. |
THE DOT AND THE LINE: A ROMANCE IN LOWER MATHEMATICS (1965) Delightful evidence that the quest for love is absolutely universal, even in a world of mere shape and colour. |
WEEKENDS (2017) Perfectly captures those melancholy memories of spending weekends at Dad’s, all while exhibiting a refreshing (and appropriately etherial) visual style. |
MY GRANDMOTHER IRONED THE KING’S SHIRTS (1999) Great title. Great story. Great animation. Great writing. Great direction. Great cut-away to Tonya Harding’s laces being too tight. |
ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR (2018) You can roll your eyes at the initial premise all you want, but the plain fact is that once it gets going this short is really, really funny. And kinda poignant. |
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