END OF QUICKTRACK

My short film, Bloom, just finished rendering (well, finished rendering 12 hours ago). Today was my last day at the program, and I feel as if this is one of the experiences in my life that in 20 years time, I will recall upon it with fond memories. Having just graduated from school and to experience such an amazing residency program... to be paid to make whatever film I wanted and to have it projected at an outdoor venue as part of a larger festival... I honestly couldn't ask for more.

The bonus parts were working with such great people! The mentor, Richard Reeves, was a great inspiration and kept our spirits high. He brought fruit every week and that was just so nice. The producer, Michael Welchman, made sure we were on track and bought snacks for us every week. Food is my kryptonite so obviously I'm starry-eyed whenever they walk into the studio with food for us. Both of them proved to be essential in my own production: helping me set up and tear down sets/rigs, buying materials, and doing whatever else that was necessary to help us make these films! The participants Lydia, Martin and Mohammed were a pleasure to work with and I wish them luck in their future endeavours. I don't care to ramble too long but I'd be remiss to mention the wonderful working environment created by the rest of the Quickdraw staff (KT, Caitlind, Erin, Evangelos, Jenny)! All your positive attitudes and daily doses optimism made the 3 month long production much easier to handle. I'm going to miss you all terribly, but I'll be back in November, so ... I'll be back.

I truly appreciated this experience, and on a more self-involved aside, I felt I grew immensely both as an film maker and as a person.

If any of you have the opportunity to apply for the QuickTrack Residency Program, please do it! It is honestly one of the most wonderful things offered to new film makers (and the cash don't hurt none). The website for the society is:

http://quickdrawanimation.ca/

...and the blog that's been set up for the program I'm in can be found here:

http://quicktrack.wordpress.com/

Now that the ramblings all over, here are some stills from my new short film/installation:

It will be premiering / screening at the Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary during GIRAF, Calgary's animation festival in the first week of November. If you are in the area at that time, please come! I hear there will be free hot chocolate :)