It was a true honor to see my film Brains screen at both MICA (where I attended my first Sweaty Eyeballs and got started with all this) and also at Towson University.
I’ve talked quite a bit about the importance of Sweaty Eyeballs to me and Baltimore, and how it’s inspired me over the years. Everything I’ve written and said is still true for me, and made even sweeter this year because I was invited to contribute to the festivals signal film, which ran at the start of every screening. A game of exquisite corpse, I was given the prompt “jump,” and asked to make a 2 second animation.
I was going to do the obvious – some feet jumping, and then, upon reflection, decided on jumping a battery. I made the car Sea Foam green as a nod to my entry in the festival, Brains. I was going to use a character from the animation, and then used a raccoon, because, well, it’s me.
I’ve squashed the video down into the .gif below:
This festival was more expansive than last year, and there were workshops and talks. I got to meet and talk with Isaac King, and I look forward to continuing the conversation with him. An amazing animator, Isaac puts forth compelling messages about humanity’s place in nature, social media, and subtle explorations about conflict. His film Second Hand is a mind boggling achievement of animation, and very beautiful. We started talking about experimentation, and I hope to keep talking about that.
I also spent hours with both Joanna Priestly and Paul Herrod, and their conversation, advice and encouragement will remain invaluable to me. It was THE best weekend.
We (Beverly, our kiddos, and Dusten) started out on Thursday for the Baltimore Showcase at the Brown Center (Falvey Hall) at MICA after a nice dinner at Joe Squared.
Sweaty Eyeballs ring leader Phil Davis (above) has done so much for our region and for animation. He’s funny, kind and really, the best.
Paul Harrod gave an incredible presentation of his work over the years – I was particularly inspired with his work on Isle of Dogs with Wes Anderson. It was fascinating to look behind that curtain.
There was another screening at Van Bokkelen Hall Theatre at Towson University.
The exhibit at Current Space was wonderful, especially Isaac’s projection work. I got to talk with Stephanie Williams again, and many other Baltimore animation folk. I feel connected to, and part of, a community.
The animation programming was expansive, diverse, and plentiful. I’m so impressed with how strong the work in the Baltimore Showcase was, too.
This weekend, and the festival, has left me inspired, thoughtful, grateful, and fortified.
Onward.