We’re kicking off this week with an interview with 4mations director Iain Gardner. Have you noticed a marked decline in penguin population? Read on.
You’re working on The Tannery. Tell us more.
It’s about this Fox who has a life after death experience – after he’s dead he is released from all the pressures of survival and has quite a lovely time. Until he comes into contact with the Tannery……
Many animators try to steer clear of our four legged furry friends, but you seem naturally drawn to them. What’s the attraction?
Oh. It’s worse with me. Spots, stripes – although for this film the designs won’t be as complex as that. But I actually find that audiences give you a bit more leeway with animated animals. When you try and pass off a human character the flaws in performance become more apparent!
But technicalities apart, I’m a bit of a sofa conservationist – Animals can’t voice their distress about the way we treat them so I like to use film making to examine some of the disparities between our intentions and their experience. Preservation of habitat and conservation of species often drive my narratives.
You must have an annual pass to the zoo.
Yes, I do actually! I’m a member of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, so that grants me access to Edinburgh Zoo, and the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie. I was up there recently actually, doing some research on Wolves (as there has been talk of reintroducing them to the wild. As romantic as that sounds, it’s probably not feasible) as part of my Friends of the Royal Scottish Academy Bursary I received last year – but it’s all good stuff that helps characterise Foxes as well!
Taxidermist specimens are useful for research also, you can get a better idea for textures and colour when you can actually get up close. I’ve often liked the idea of having my own museum of specimens, but that’s not so fashionable these days!
There’s been a spate of penguin-napping at zoos recently. Care to defend yourself?
They go very well with oven chips.
You programmed this year’s EIFF animation programmes. Any favourites?
Jeez – there were too many. This was my first experience on that side of the festival fence, and I’ll never be too grumpy if I don’t get a film into a festival again! There’s so much high quality work and you have to find a balance in programmes so that one institution or area isn’t over represented – there was a noticeable absence of the AIR and MESH schemes, but hopefully 4mations will fill the gap next year! I loved Don Hertzfeldt’s new film I AM SO PROUD OF YOU – it was very moving, so we asked him to come over and present a retrospective of his work.
You’re the furthest North of all our 4mations directors. Any tips on keeping your fingers warm while you work?
Well, I’m not going to entertain the suggestion that it’s cold and miserable in Scotland! I mean, last week I was heavily distracted from working on my animatic by the sun beating down on Arthur’s Seat. Mmm – if you don’t know Edinburgh that may not read very well. But I had a lovely walk around it and got back to work in the evening. I think my fingers do tend to get cold though from long periods sitting at the drawing board! As far as the schedule allows I’m going to be doing old fashioned drawn animation, paper on pencil, composed with watercolour backgrounds and a few CGI elements if the budget can stretch!
Quick fire questions:
The Fox or the Hound?
The Fox (obviously)
Fox or NBC?
NBC
Foxy Lady or Eye of the Tiger?
Foxy Lady! (God, I had to google that, but I think that’s because it’s an infinitely subtler and less ingratiation melody than Eye of the Tiger)
You can see more of Iain’s work on his website.
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