Sprokets film festival

Today, all the CyberArts students took a trip to the Sprockets Film Festival in downtown Toronto. In the morning, we watched a variety of short films made by Canadian Students. These films were all very different from one another, they were all from different genres and made using different techniques(mediums). The Freshwater Plague, was like a documentary about the invasion of shadflies also known as mayflies in North Bay, while On the Bus was about a young man who lived in a fantasy world, far from reality and his fears of acceptance( it was like a fictional film). Bonefeather was a funny film about two male birds trying to impress a female bird(animation).

(On the Bus)

We got a chance to talk to a few of the film makers and screenplay writers, it was very interesting to learn about film school, their experiences in film school and their experiences of making the films. It was nice of them to share personal stories with us. They also gave us advice. It also was intriguing to see the different paths they have taken and it really helped me distinguish the difference between what film making is and film school is and the reality of it.

('U')

In the afternoon we watched an animated french film called 'U'. 'U' a movie about a princess "Mona"(who is a dog) and her friend "U", a unicorn. U introduces Mona to Lazare and his family the "Yeah Yeahs"(a bunch of musicians), Mona falls in love with a cat from that family, who plays the guitar. U gets worried that Mona will find true happiness with someone else and will no longer need her. Then U starts to shrink because Mona is all grown up, has found happiness and is in love.(that's all I can remember) 'U' is very different from the animated movies I have seen from Hollywood. Most of the animated movies I have watched are for children and were mostly fairy tales or movies with morals. 'U' seems to be for a more older, more mature audience and deals with mature subject matter, Unless the children in France are exposed to kissing and nudity at a very young age. Although it did contain a magical aspect, witch is common in animated Hollywood(Disney) movies.

('U')

I really enjoyed myself today, I especially liked the birds from Bonefeather, I'm not entirely sure how they were made, but they were bright, vibrant and visually pleasing. I would really like to know how the film was made and how long it took?They really did a good job of tying the film together with the story and the sound

After watching the morning films, when we were chatting with the filmmakers, the producer of The Freshwater Plague, shared with us how he made his film. He told us that he basically made his film with microphones that were lent to him or he rented them from a small musical group in his town and he shot the footage with his dad's camcorder, I found this extremely interesting and cool.

I had a great time at the Sprockets Film Festival, If you get a chance definitely check it out!