Film Name: Animation
Director: Kate Sullivan
Writer: Kate Sullivan
Starring: Some standing stones and various inanimate objects on the Isle of Arran, Scotland.
The remote Scottish island is alive… and it wants to say hello….
In a new interview leading up to the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival I got a chance to ask writer-director Kate Sullivan a few questions about what we can expect from his film Murder Scene.
Animation will be showing at Horror-on-Sea at 12:30pm on Saturday 14th January
Q. Your film Animation has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect from the film?
A lot of wiggling! It’s basically an arty ‘Wigglegram’.
I like using and repurposing stuff that’s considered low art, (in this case Wigglegrams and 3D). It was all shot on 35mm using a 3D stills camera – and the soundtrack is pretty much analogue too, (1/4 “ tape samples plus a bit of digital manipulation).
I should probably also mention that the film is very short – only 47 seconds long!
Q. What were some of your influences when writing the script for Animation?
I’m an animator by trade and have always enjoyed bringing stuff to life. I’m also a member of The Stereoscopic Society and love 3D.
The film is an investigation into how stereoscopy can transform inanimate objects into fellow presences. It’s essentially a bit of stereoscopic animated animism.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. I wanted an analogue look and sound, with the ultimate aim of making objects within in it appear as organic and alive as possible. My dad’s old reel to reel player is an influence – as are his holiday photos of Arran that he took when we lived in Glasgow.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. The film is a flow of consciousness docufiction so there wasn’t really a script or storyboard. When we got to the island I knew where I wanted to visit and photograph – and of course there were a few unexpected discoveries too.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. Seeing the stones on Machrie Moor again for the first time since I was a kid. They are so beautiful and mysterious. They have such presence!
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. I was shooting on film which isn’t cheap – so made a few tough decisions about what got snapped and what didn’t. Luckily everything came out okay. I was using a free light meter app on my phone which luckily turned out to be accurate!
Q. What makes Animation stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. Hmmm. Well it’s docufiction. Eco-docufiction. Has that been done? Everything’s been done hasn’t it!
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
I hope folks feel that they’ve encountered some mildly amusing/slightly peculiar and mysterious fellow presences. It would also be great if the film made them feel as if they’d ‘met’ the isle of Arran.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. I’m continuing to experiment with stereoscopy and also develop some animism-related eco-fiction horror and am currently working on quite a big experimental multimedia documentary about British computer pioneer Tony Pritchett. (The soundtrack for ‘Animation’ is created using manipulated field recordings of his).
I’m also about to start work on a 3D film about Chee Pang and her shop, ‘Sun Lee Fish and Chips’ in Shoeburyness. Chee is an inspiring woman and I really want to create a portrait of her and her shop.
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. When things don’t work or aren’t possible, remember that ‘filmmaking is problem-solving’! Often being forced to scrap stuff or do it a different way can be a real gift.
You can find out more about writer-director Kate Sullivan on the following websites and social media
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kate_sullivan01/
Commercial animation: http://katesullivan.co.uk
Indie film: http://katesullivanfilm.com
The animation will be shown at Horror-on-Sea at 12:30 pm on Saturday 14th January. You can purchase tickets and merchandise for the festival on the website here
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
