May 29 2007

Direct or cameraless animation is the process of creating moving images by working directly onto motion picture film stock by hand. According to Devon Damonte, "Various graphics are set in motion by using the film material as a vehicle for a 'moving canvas'. Techniques may include (but aren't limited to) painting, scratching, adhering thin semi-transparent materials to the film with tape or glue, ironing to transfer inks from plastic, and various other strange and obsessive methods not recommended by the manufacturer."

Cineworks is proud to present a retrospective of one of the most acclaimed practitioners of this style of animation.

Richard Reeves produces some of Canadian cinema's most accomplished animated imagery and he does it all by hand. Painstakingly drawing, scratching and painting on the celluloid, he creates a hypnotic barrage of colours, shapes and rhythms. His is cameraless animation at its best. Think of some of Norman McLaren's best moments, particularly from Begone Dull Care (1949) or Blinkity Blank (1955), add an astonishing hand-drawn soundtrack, and you can start to imagine the experience of watching Reeves's films.

Join us at the Pacific Cinémathèque on Tuesday May 29th at 7:30 pm for a screening of some of Richard's most acclaimed works, as well as a Cinematic Salon style discussion with this important and approachable artist. There will also be a screening of the workshop student films before and after the main feature!

Linear Dreams - The Animations of Richard Reeves
7:30pm
Tuesday, May 29th
Pacific Cinematheque
1131 Howe Street
$5 members / $6 non-members

The films are:
Garbanzo
1993 / 2 min. / BetasSP
abstract colours and forms to original jazz music
painted directly on to film

Zig Zag
1994 / 1 min. / BetaSP
zig zag pictures dance to zig zag sounds
etched directly on to one piece of film.

Dunvegan
1994 / 4 min. / BetaSP
(animation by Richard Reeves and Kevin Kurytnik)
created as part of a documentary about Dunvegan Alberta.

CFMDC trailer
1999 / 30 sec. / BetaSP
cameraless animation interpreting CFMDC as a trailer for the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre

O.I.A.F. Signal Film
2002 / 30 sec./ BetaSP
cameraless animation film introducing the Ottawa International Animation

O.I.A.F. Opening Night Performance
2002 / 3 min. / BetaSP
cameraless animation film with optical sounds performed live at the National Arts Centre,
Ottawa International Animation Festival

Linear Dreams
1997 / 7 min. 35mm : 1.33
images from the minds eye, music from the minds ear
sound and picture drawn on film

Sea Song
1999 / 4 min. / 35mm : 1.33
an animated look into the sparkling ocean at night
sound and picture drawn on film

1:1
2001 / 2.5 min. / 35mm : 1.33
exploring the one to one relationship between sound and picture as time and space visual music

Element of Light
2004 / 4.5 min. / 35 mm :2.35 SCOPE
inspired by the elements of nature.
sound and picture drawn onto film.

(Total Running Time = 29min.)