September 23, 2006
A REPORT FROM OTTAWA
So much to do at the Ottawa festival, and no time to blog.
I am delighted to meet so many people who read Cartoon Brew up here. I've made a bunch of new friends and it's great to see my old out-of-town buddies Mark Mayerson (we go back over 30 years), Linda Simensky, Michael Sporn, J.J. Sedelmaier, Steve Stanchfield, Mark Langer, Kelly Armstrong - not to mention my regular L.A. colleagues Heather Kenyon, John K., Tom Knott, Fred Seibert - and a host of others, including Chris Robinson and the staff of the Ottawa Festival. Wonderful people, all.
The first two days here feature a business conference devoted to Television animation, with many great panelists and talent. One thing that emerged from the conference: Nelvana's RUBY GLOOM looks very promising.
The festival competition is wonderful. It's not over yet, but the best films I've seen so far include Joanna Quinn's DREAMS & DESIRES: FAMILY TIES, Georges Schwizigel's JEU, Obom's HERE AND THERE, Mait Laas' GENERATIO and Run Wrake's RABBIT. John Kricfalusi gave a great speech about the influence of Bob Clampett with numerous clips and John's wonderful commentary on what makes them so great. The festival ran a group of Clampett's best films, most of them in gorgeous 35mm prints.
Well, I gotta get back to the festival. I'll be back home on Monday night.