Avoid Eye Contact Volume I The Best of NYC Animation
CATALOG NO.
538
TYPE
Shorts Compilation, Animation
YEAR
2003
RUNNING TIME
80 minutes
DVD, REGION0 (All)
TV SYSTEM
NTSC
UPC
820360106095
SYNOPSIS
FILMS IN PROGRAM
SCREENINGS
PRESS
PURCHASE / LICENSING
SIMILAR
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In September 2003, eleven animators met in a large chelsea loft. Eleven went in, Avoid Eye Contact came out. Welcome to Avoid Eye Contact, a tour of the best Independent Animation from New York City. The films on this volume span the last few decades of NYC animation. Young animators join seasoned masters in a program that will surely become an important part of any animation enthusiasts library.
All films in a printable format
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Bathtime in Clerkenwell
directed by Alex Budovsky
USA,
Animation,
2002,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:03:15
It's 7 a.m., and the fascist birds in his cuckoo clock are going to make sure this poor sap gets up and into the bath! Little Napoleons and Kaisers get a Metropolis-type but fantastically whimsical assembly l... more info
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Sub
directed by Jesse Schmal
USA,
Animation,
1999,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:08:39
Sex, Religion, Soccer, and Naval Warfare! One might wonder how these four themes came together…. simple: I cannot write for shit.
... more info
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A Little Routine
directed by George Griffin
USA,
Animation,
1994,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:07:16
The brutal realities of combat in the parent/child war zone.
Unflinchingly observed: tantrums, toilet rituals, bedtime stories,
creepy things under the bed. An homage to the Hubleys.
... more info
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One of Those Days
directed by Bill Plympton
USA,
Animation,
1988,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:07:35
What would it be like to live the most violent and accident-filled
day imaginable? Through the clever use of P.O.V. color-pencil
animation, this short lets you experience the pain without feeling
it.... more info
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Goodnight Norma, Goodnight Milton
directed by John Schnall
USA,
Animation,
1988,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:05:52
A couple go thru their nightly routine, revealing perhaps more than
they intended to in the process.
... more info
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Delivery
directed by Patrick Smith
USA,
Animation,
2003,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:08:00
Abuse leads to rage as two friends compete for a delivered package. Was the result of this conflict worth the prize found within the box?
"Delivery" deals with the realistic consequences of rage and
vio... more info
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New Fangled
directed by George Griffin
USA,
Animation,
1990,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:01:46
Advertising executives discuss concepts for a new ad campaign.... more info
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Tongues and Taxis
directed by Michael Overbeck
USA,
Animation,
2002,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:07:39
A story about a man, his cat, his tongue, and the city in which they live. Tons of tongues. Tons of taxis. Tongues and Taxis.
... more info
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Box Factory
directed by Fran Krause
USA,
Animation,
2002,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:00:33
A thought provoking 3D computer animated short
... more info
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Love Story
directed by Signe Baumane
USA,
Animation,
1998,
35mm,
Color,
Optical Monaural,
00:03:30
A story about the separation of love and sex.... more info
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Roof Sex
directed by Pes
USA,
Animation,
2003,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:01:16
Two chairs share an amorous afternoon on the roof of an apartment building.
... more info
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Drink
directed by Patrick Smith
USA,
Animation,
2000,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:04:35
In this animated film, a boy discovers a magic potion that allows him to explore the universe within himself. A sip unleashes a violent reaction, revealing a diverse cast of characters twisting and stretchi... more info
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Dirdy Birdy
directed by John Dilworth
USA,
Animation,
1994,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:07:13
Story about a dysfunctional relationship between a cat and a bird.... more info
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Mr. Smile
directed by Fran Krause
USA,
Animation,
2001,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:08:16
A silly animated account of Mr. Smile inviting all of his strange
friends to a party.
... more info
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I was a Thanksgiving Turkey
directed by John Schnall
USA,
Animation,
1996,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:03:07
Thanksgiving dinner, from the turkey's point of view.... more info
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Terminally Ambivalent Over You
directed by Alex Budovsky
USA,
Animation,
2002,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:03:20
This film is based on Stephen Coates song from the album When
Psyche meets Cupid. The animation tells a story of a prisoner who
works in a prison's gramophone factory and while assembling
gramophones... more info
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Five Fucking Fables
directed by Signe Baumane
USA,
Animation,
2002,
35mm,
Color,
Optical Monaural,
00:07:00
5 separate, slightly immoral stories.... more info
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How to Make Love to a Woman
directed by Bill Plympton
USA,
Animation,
1990,
Color,
00:05:13
This film makes "How to Kiss" look like "Sesame Street". Now we're
talking naked bodies and hot emotions here. Sections of this film
were used in Bill's feature "I Married a Strange Person". Watch for ... more info
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This DVD has never been screened
Reviews and Other Info:
2006-09-26 animatorsunite.com
By Brad Chmielewski
Avoid Eye Contact, Volume 1, Square Footage Films is titled "The Best Independent Animation of New York City;" I would firmly have to say that this is a title well devised to stand along side each piece on the DVD. The DVD contains a number of animations dating back to the early 1980's that can not be seen together anywhere else but on this DVD. Avoid Eye Contact features thirteen animations from eleven animators; Aleksey Budovsky, Patrick Smith, Signe Baumane, John Dilworth, Geroge Griffin, Bill Plympton, Fran Krause, Jesse Schmal, Michael Overbeck, John Schnall and PES. Each bringing something a little out of the ordinary. The DVD was created by all of the eleven animators; this creates a distinctive look the could have not been created by anyone else. Avoid Eye Contact features a total of seventeen animations; most of the animations are 2-D in technique, still, there are a few computer-based shorts. One is Mike Overbeck's "Tongues and Taxis" which was produced using the programs Maya and Macromedia Flash. Patrick Smith's "Drink" was drawn traditionally, but colorized using a computer, which is the case in most animation these days. Both, Mike Overbeck's and Patrick Smith's works can be viewed on the Animators Unite website, but the quicktime versions do not do these animations justice. This is the case with PES's short "Roof Sex." The first time I saw the quicktime version of this short, I was unimpressed. Now to see the 16mm film version in its full glory on DVD is remarkable. For anyone who missed out when the film was posted check the archive and see PES's first film and first animation.
When looking at the shorts that are traditional 2-D animation, the viewers are reminded that 2-D is not dead and will never die. Animators are standing up and saying this is where the art is and there is no reason to forgot about it. But each animation has a unique flare and creative aesthetic. The content varies quite a great deal. From John Scnall's dark humor to Patrick Smith's violence in "Delivery." "Delivery" was one of my favorite animations on the DVD. With no word of dialog spoken, the music and actions presented through the animation drive the story. The basis of the story is that a package is delivered and a fight breaks out over who gets to open it and see what is inside. Also excellently done was Patrick Smith's menus for his section. These where one of my favorite menus on this DVD and the other DVD's I have seen this month. Patrick Smith gives the viewers a chance to see the pencil tests on "Delivery" with commentary, the pencil tests also show and AlterNet scene. Patrick Smith says that he really likes pencil tests because it gives the viewers a chance to see that there is really something behind the colors. Look for Patrick Smith's "Handshake" to be released in 2004.
Bill Plympton's two films, ("How to Make Love to a Woman." and "One of Those Days.") Signe Baumane's two shorts ("Five F**king Fables." and "Love Story.") both bring sex to the DVD. When I first put this DVD in, and began watching I was at work and one of the first films I watched was Bill Plympton's, this was not a wise idea to do. This DVD is intended for viewing at home or with a group of mature individuals. Still there are works that are great to watch with anyone young or old, like George Griffin's "Little Routine". Also George Griffin's "New Fangled" is a animation that anyone who has worked in the business world or knows enough about it will find it humorous.
As I was saying before each animator has created individually designed menus, and a vast array of special features. In addition to the films, each artist contributed behind the scenes, commentary, or pencil tests, giving the viewer a rare insight into the artist's thoughts and methods. An inspiration to watch, this DVD is going to remain in my collection for years to come. The only negative comment I have is about the DVD's function its self. When a viewer picks the "play all" feature, there is no way to jump to the next animation. I hope this just wasn't a flaw on my DVD player, if not for volume II, I would like to see some chapter markers put into the "play all" feature.
If for some reason you are unable to spare the money and pick up this DVD, a few of the animations can be seen here on the Animators Unite website. Still, nothing beats seeing each one on your own television. Give Square Footage Films your support and pick up a copy.
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Exhibition:
Program MC-538 may be licensed for exhibition |
Purchasing for Home Use
This DVD is available from the Microcinema DVD Store |
Institutional Purchasing
This DVD is available from the Microcinema DVD Store |
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Wholesale Purchasing:
Program MC-538 is available for wholesale from Microcinema DVD. Contact info@microcinema.com or call at +1-415-447-9750 |
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