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Flight Released on Ironweed DVD
The wonderful folks over at Ironweed Films (a monthly DVD subscription) have invited the Polymix original animation, Flight, to prelude War Made Easy (narr. Sean Penn) on issue No 28, March 2008.
Interview on Director's Notes
Director's Notes, a great website dedicated to promoting short films and filmmakers via podcasting, has posted an interview with Polymix frontman, Andrew Allen. He talks about the film, Flight, and reveals some behind-the-scenes processes and inspiration that went into its creation. The podcast is available on both iTunes and the Director's Notes website.
Polymix Presence on DeviantART Film
DeviantART, a site known for its electic mix of artists, has opened its doors to the chaotic world of filmmakers, and Polymix has been invited to be among the first few adopters selected to participate. According to deviantArt, this new addition will be "an experience meant to be enjoyed from the moment you hit watch to the very end of the film because you know that the artist has invested considerable time and effort to create something special. And based on that experience, you’re naturally compelled to share your opinions and thoughts on what you just experienced, because it is special and deserves it." Some innovative new features include "the ability for a deviant viewing a film to stop the film at any specific frame, and leave comments, suggestions, rants and raves, on any given frame." Filmmakers are also encouraged to add their own annotations. Participation is currently by invitation only, but will soon open up to the general populace. Pop in to see what it's all about, deviantART Film »
Our Stage: Community-Curated Films
OurStage.com is a community-driven website where users submit short films that are then judged by online fans. On a whim I submitted Flight which has slowly risen through the ranks and is now at the top of the charts in Animation! We appreciate the strong support we've received from all our fans. Go check out the website—it's a great idea that has been executed very well. The content, however, can be hit and miss. Watch some films and vote for Flight »
Mi Amore Wraps Up!
Finally! After a long three (or five) months, the final frame of Mi Amore has been rendered. I am pleased with the outcome. Long projects evolve slowly, and often transform into something else entirely. Such is not the case with this film. It's final form looks and feels much as it had in my head five months ago. Mi Amore is a wonderfully endearing piece about amateurish love, and an appropriate followup to Flight with its focus on humankind's destructive nature. Look for Mi Amore this summer and spring at a film festival near you.
Push For Signal Lands on AtomFilms Push For Signal has just been posted on AtomFilms.com alongside Flight. Initial response has been great. Jump over to AtomFilms and view it in its entirety. Doing so sends a small royalty payment this way. Push For Signal on AtomFilms.com >>
Mi Amore Production Clip
A final rendering of a shot from the upcoming Polymix short, Mi Amore.
Flight on Atom Flims Flight has joined the company of many other accomplished shorts in Atom Films' collection of online entertainment. Watch Flight in full, then give it your own star rating and leave a comment or two. Every view sends a small royalty my way.
Mi Amore: Production Begins
Here's a sneak peek at a simple short animation I've just begun work on. A simple, sweet story combining traditional animation with lo-fi camera work and After Effects' renowned 2.5D animation. Stay tuned for future updates on the project. I'll be posting screenshots and edits as I complete them. —ASA View the storyboard: 1 / 2 / 3
Northwest Film & Video Festival: Shorts III Back again for the final program of NWFF shorts. Yes, yes—including the screening of the two Polymix shorts, Flight and Push For Signal. Both were well-received and garnered the appropriate responses. Here are a few of the highlights from the program: Fallen >> , by Portlander Ryan Jeffery, creates a visually stammering scene of a technological nature. The film is dripping with strong visual metaphors and plays like a surrealist painting stretched on film. Walk For Walk by Amy Lockhart is one of the more bizarre films of the bunch. In this hand drawn animation, a collection of bizarre creatures and characters walk, crawl, and roll their way across the screen.
Northwest Film & Video Festival: Shorts II Another odd mix of short films tackling issues of isolation, confusion, and sheer joy in the randomness of life. Although not as powerful as the first, this program of shorts contained some valuable gems. I Am (Not) Van Gogh, by David Russo (also known for Pan With Us) has again created a piece showcasing his mastery of the film medium—shunning any digital interventions—yet receiving well-deserved "oos" and "ahhs" for the painstaking hand-drawn stop-motion technique that seems to stand outside of time. This piece takes us on a swift ride through Seattle's Bumbershoot festival as he delivers a slapdash proposal to a group of sponsors. The traditionally animated, Missionary (Mike Smith), provides a refreshing blend of well-crafted characters and story. You won't be knocked out of your chair, but it's simplicity will surely elicit a smile. The Big Ass World of Science, by Mike Wellins, is a hearty stab at faux-science where funny meets not so funny. The animation style is appropriately wacky using very primitive and elementary 3D computer animation. A great idea that could have been further solidified.
Northwest Film & Video Festival: Shorts I Opening night marked the first of the NWFF's shorts programs at a full-capacity Cinema 21. Things got off to a great start. Here are some of my favorites from the screening: Scaredycat, by Portland-native Andy Blubaugh, is a personal recount of the director's own encounter with a group of street thugs and his trials in overcoming the unnecessary fears that follow. A Painful Glance Into My Writing Process (In Less Than 60 Seconds) by Chel White is a fantastic visual collage of the absurdities necessary for overcoming writer's block. The animation style is a very cut-and-paste effort utilizing much found imagery.
Santa Fe Film Festival Rounding up another great festival from the Mid-West, Flight will screen at this year's Santa Fe Film Festival >> in New Mexico on December 6th. Keep your eyes peeled for a Polymix screening in your area.
Northwest Film & Video Festival accepts two! That's right, TWO films! Both Flight and Push For Signal will screen at the Portland Art Museum this November 10–18th along with a collection of the best shorts and features from the Northwest (AK, WA, OR, MO, ID, BC). Here's one we'll be attending for sure. If you're in the region, drop in, it looks to be truly great event. Screening are at the Portland Art Museum's Whitsell Auditorium on Sunday, Nov 12 @ 8:00pm and Saturday, Nov 18 @ 5:00 PM. Northwest Film & Video Festival >>
Wholphin No.2 McSweeney's, the well-known quarterly magazine publishing short stories and essays, has ventured into the crazy world of rare and unseen films with their new Wholphin DVD collection (the cross between a whale and a dolphin). I first learned of the DVD at a screening during the One Reel Film Festival in Seattle and have since subscribed to the quarterly publication. The selection for No. 2 is a very nice mix of well-known Oscar-nominated shorts along with some rare obscurities. Some that stand out are, The Pity Card, a hilarious unaired TV pilot, as well as Home, James, and Don't Spare the Horses, an amazing short film that examines the lunacy of the aristocratic art scene. Also worth watching is The Movie Movie, a short interview with Donald Trump on a favorite film, Citizen Kane. Two amazing Oscar-nominated short animations, More (1998) and The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello (2005), are also included. If you haven't had the chance to see either, this is a good opportunity. I look forward to what is to come from future Wholphin releases. (PS—Filmmakers, you can submit your film to have it considered for an upcoming issue) Wholphin website >>
FLIGHT heads for the open plains of Wichita, Kansas! (and the Tallgrass Film Festival) Bring your tornado gear and head to the home state of Polymix media-maker, Josh Froscheiser, this October 20th, 21st and 22nd for the 4th annual Tallgrass Film Festival >> Bringing you the best work within 100 miles of any ocean. Sponsored by the lovely folks at WAMPA (Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts).
NextFrame launches new website & announces screenings Check out the newly launched NextFrame website >> for what looks to be a very engaging collection of accomplished student films. The festival includes narratives, documentaries, experments, & animations from students around the world and will travel as such during the coming months. Flight >> is a finalist in the Animation program.
The Onion sponsored, Toofy Film Fest 2006 The crude and quirky Toofy Film Fest >> (run by the same folks who deliver the famous, satirical publication, The Onion) has selected Flight to screen as one of its finalists. The screening will take place in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday, October 1st at 3 PM at the Boulder Theater.
Whistler Film Festival Acceptance! Flight has been chosen to screen at the 2006 Whistler Film Festival this November 30–December 3, 2006 in Whistler, BC, Canada. The screening will occur on December 1st @ 5:00pm. Flight Screenings >>
Raindance = First British Fest! Flight makes its way to the 2006 Raindance Film Festival this September 27–October 8, 2006 in London. Flight Screenings >>
Seattle International Film Festival Event All faired well at the big SIFF screening of PUSH FOR SIGNAL in the program, Attack of the Animated. Our short was in great company with some of the best animation today including the TELL TALE HEART and MARVELOUS KEEN LOONY BIN. Our film was the first to play and surprisingly well-received—always a great feeling! Push For Signal Screenings >>
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