Mad Eyed Misfits: Writings on Indie Animation

by Chris Robinson

Overview

One of the most stylistically original and provocative writers in animation returns with this

informal sequel to his previous books on indie animation, Unsung Heroes of Animation and Animators Unearthed.

In this collection, award-winning writer Chris Robinson looks at a wide range of films and filmmakers, including cult favourites Don Hertzfeldt, Adam Elliot, Masaaki Yuasa, Wong Ping, Bruce Bickford, Jodie Mack, Rosto, Suzan Pitt, Clyde Henry and Cartoon Saloon.

Eclectic, opinionated, passionate and personal, Robinson’s writing will amuse, confuse, infuriate and enlighten while introducing readers to some of the most astonishing and important animation artists from around the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032207711
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	03/29/2022
Series:	Focus Animation
Pages:	214
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Chris Robinson is a Canadian writer and author. He is also the Artistic Director of the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) and is a well-known figure in the animated film world and was recently given the 2020 award for Outstanding Contribution to Animation Studies by the World Festival of Animation Film - Animafest Zagreb.

Robinson has been called "one of the stylistically most original and most provocative experts in the history of animation. He made a name for himself with a unique and eclectic magazine column Animation Pimp, which became a book of the same name (the column was later renamed into Cheer and Loathing in Animation).

Mastering different methods and styles in critical and scholarly approaches, Robinson covers a broad range of Canadian and global subject matters in his books Estonian Animation: Between Genius and Utter Illiteracy, Unsung Heroes of Animation, Canadian Animation: Looking for a Place to Happen, Ballad of a Thin Man: In Search of Ryan Larkin, Animators Unearthed, and Japanese Animation: Time out of Mind.

In addition to his writing on animation, Robinson also wrote the Award-winning animated short, Lipsett Diaries (2010) directed by Theodore Ushev.

Currently, Robinson is writing two books on animation and is working with German artist, Andreas Hykade on My Balls Are Killing Me, a graphic novel about his experience with cancer. He is also collaborating with Theodore Ushev on a live action feature film, Drivin’.

Table of Contents

About the Author xi

Introduction xiii

Chapter 1 Masaaki Yuasa Speaks in Many Colours 1

Chapter 2 52 Films, 1 Year: Meet John Morena 7

Chapter 3 Passing on by Us: Clyde Peterson Talks Torrey Pines 11

Chapter 4 Marcel, the King of Tervuren 17

Chapter 5 "People Are Finally Listening": Indigenous Animation Rises Up 19

Chapter 6 Fight! Fight! Fight!: Malcolm Sutherland's Bout 27

Chapter 7 Ghosts of a Different Dream: The Films of Mariusz Wilczynski 31

Chapter 8 Wondering Boy Poet: Bruce Bickford 37

Chapter 9 The Burden of Dreams 43

Chapter 10 Unity by Tobias Stretch 47

Chapter 11 Don Hertzfelt's Beautiful Days 49

Chapter 12 Don Herzfeldt Talks World of Tomorrow II 55

Chapter 13 Joy Street: Remembering Suzan Pitt 63

Chapter 14 Nightlights in the Forest: Cartoon Saloon 69

Chapter 15 Beautiful Maladies: The Uncanny World of Rosto 71

Chapter 16 Spela Cadez's Nighthawk 83

Chapter 17 Kaspar Jancis' Motel of Fools 87

Chapter 18 The Moneygoround: Liu Jian's Have a Nice Day 91

Chapter 19 Clyde Henry Talks Gymnasia 95

Chapter 20 The Crushed Dreams of a Magnificent Cake 105

Chapter 21 The Frog, The Dog and The Devil: The Ballad of Bad Whiskey 109

Chapter 22 Consuming Chris Sullivan 113

Chapter 23 It's a Good Life, If You Don't Weaken: Luc Chamberland and Seth's Dominion 119

Chapter 24 Yield by Caleb Wood 125

Chapter 25 Visiting Ville Neuve With Felix Dufour-Laperrière 127

Chapter 26 Where Is Here: Felix Dufour-Laperrière's Archipelago 135

Chapter 27 Laughing at Chaos: Alex Boya Talks Turbine 143

Chapter 28 Banana Skins and Cigarette Butts: The Films of Adam Elliot 147

Chapter 29 Pineapple Calamari 153

Chapter 30 The Joys of Jodie Mack 155

Chapter 31 Moving on With Ainslie Henderson 163

Chapter 32 Peeping Wong Ping 165

Chapter 33 On the Weave of Construction: RISD Animation 173

Chapter 34 Lesley the Pony Has an A+ Day 185

Index 189