Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1378252
14 KEYFRAME P E R S P E C T I V E S RON MYRICK Animation Director, J.G. & the B.C. Kids and Six Point Harness series judge: LA Shorts International Film Festival WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN EVALUATING A SHORT FILM? A) The first thing I ask is if the film is entertaining. B) What is the intention of the filmmaker? C) What is the quality of the animation? DO YOU JUDGE PROFESSIONAL SUBMISSIONS DIFFERENTLY THAN THOSE PUT OUT BY STUDENTS? Yes. I have higher expectations if the film is done professionally. HOW DO YOU EVALUATE THE IDEA VERSUS THE ARTISTRY? The idea tells me what the filmmaker was thinking and what the story is. The artistry shows the skill level of the artist, designers, and animators. HOW DO YOU ASSESS INDEPENDENT SHORTS VERSUS THOSE DONE THROUGH THE STUDIO SYSTEM? Typically, the small, independent studio has a smaller budget. Their style of storytelling is usually more unique than the larger studios. An independent studio will take more chances and think outside of the box. They both have their pluses and minuses. Personally, I prefer the more innovative outside-of-the-box thinking. CHRIS PRYNOSKI President and Founder of Titmouse judge: SXSW Film Festival WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN EVALUATING A SHORT FILM? I evaluate a short on its mood, message, storytelling, execution, style, and originality. And recently, "potential" factored into a piece a jury and I evaluated. The filmmakers were not afraid to push the boundaries of their skills, and the result was worth it. DO YOU JUDGE PROFESSIONAL SUBMISSIONS DIFFERENTLY THAN THOSE PUT OUT BY STUDENTS? The films that were presented to [our] jury… weren't categorized as either professional or student work. I didn't know which were which, so they were all judged equally. HOW DO YOU EVALUATE THE IDEA VERSUS THE ARTISTRY? Artistry is definitely a consideration. A film with an idea or story that doesn't quite land, but excels in craft or innovation in its execution, will still be ranked high by me! HOW DO YOU ASSESS INDEPENDENT SHORTS VERSUS THOSE DONE THROUGH THE STUDIO SYSTEM? I don't remember if there were studio system films presented to the jury this year. They all felt very independent in spirit, and I judged the selections based on their content. Also, it's tough to determine by which criteria one would determine a film to be independent. If a film receives funding through a grant that's higher than a budget provided by a studio, is it independent? Would an independent studio be considered differently than a major studio? If an individual hires a small studio to execute their idea, is it an independent film? Someone would have to carefully consider the definition of an independent film. JORGE R. GUTIERREZ Creator, Writer, and Director at Netflix Animation judge: New York International Children's Film Festival (NYICFF), Spark Animation, International Animation Festival Chilemonos, El Festival Pixelatl, Voces Nuevas, Anima Mundi WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN EVALUATING A SHORT FILM? I'm personally really looking to hear a unique voice. This can be pretty clear in a student short, but it gets tougher with a big studio short. I adore when something makes me laugh, think, or touches my heart. And if it does all three, I'm sold! DO YOU JUDGE PROFESSIONAL SUBMISSIONS DIFFERENTLY THAN THOSE PUT OUT BY STUDENTS? Absolutely. If resources are endless, then the story has to be amazing. And vice versa, if there are no resources, then a good story can carry it. But the bottom line is: good story always wins. WHEN IT COMES TO FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS, THERE'S AN ADVANTAGE TO HAVING A JURY OF YOUR PEERS. HERE, FOUR TAG MEMBERS SHARE INSIGHTS BASED ON THEIR EXPERIENCES JUDGING SHORTS AT OSCAR-ELIGIBLE FESTIVALS. HERE COMES THE JUDGE