Grampa Kevorkian Is Up!

After making the festival rounds, Grampa Kevorkian is finally online for everyone to enjoy!

Grampa Kevorkian from Claire Almon on Vimeo.

Awards!!!

Grampa Kevorkian is the winner of a Bronze Cube for the 90th Annual Art Directors Club Award, the recipient of a 2011 Cine Golden Eagle Award, and a 2011 Adobe Design Achievement Awards semi-finalist.  Be sure to check out the film!

Maquette Progress

I bet you didn't even know I had made a Grampa Kevorkian maquette.  In fact, it's been made since before the film was finished but it has been sitting at my apartment primer gray for a while now.  Recently, I finally took it out and started painting it (in black and white of course).  It was suggested to me that I take some progress photos as I paint it.  Unfortunately, I didn't take any at the beginning and now I'm halfway through.  Also, my camera is on the fritz at the moment.  However, I did take a few not so great pics with my phone camera just to give the idea.  I'll try to track the rest of the progress and then post nicer pics of the final piece here.  Hope you enjoy!

 

Well, you get the idea even if the pics aren't the greatest.  I'll try to get some really nice ones up soon so be sure to check back.

Two New Screening Dates Announced

Hi everyone,

  Things have been a little slow over the holidays, but they're picking up again with two new screenings in February!  The first is a screening in Cartersville, GA at the Third Annual Night of Independents Film Festival February 12th 7pm - 10pm.  The next is at the Providence Children's Film Festival in Providence, RI (Where my Grampa used to live!).  That will be February 17th-22nd and I will announce the exact date and time as soon as I have it.  This will be Grampa Kevorkian's 3rd Children's film festival screening!  To get more information please check the Upcoming Screenings at the top menu.

Atlanta Shorts!

Hi everyone!

Sorry I haven't posted any news in a while.  The holiday season is such a busy time of year and I haven't had as much time to update the blog.  That said, I have some great news!  Grampa Kevorkian will air on Atlanta Shorts next weekend, Dec. 18/19^th, Saturday night at 1 am, Sunday night at midnight on PBA 30.  The bad news it will be in the Atlanta area only, but if you'll be in town please tune in!  Check out the link for more on Atlanta Shorts.

The Savannah Film Festival

Hello Everyone!  This past weekend I took a trip with Carlos to the Savannah Film Festival to see my film screen and to participate in an animation panel.  It was a fantastic experience.  Not only was the panel great, but I got to met a lot of interesting people including animators, directors, and producers.  We even partied with the likes of Sir Ian McKellen and ate breakfast with James Cromwell and Isabella Rossellini! I also got to see some great films including student live action and animated films from around the country, and Danny Boyl's new gut wrenching movie 127 Hours.  The whole experience was great but perhaps my favorite part was meeting other animation students and young people who told me they really liked my film.  It was extremely moving to hear my peers say they appreciate my work.  Unfortunately, I didn't take as many pictures as I should have but here are a few highlights from the festival.  Enjoy!

Thursday I arrived in Savannah and immediately went to participate in a panel called Animation - The Short Story about how to produce a short film while working a full time job.

My fellow panel members Tom Gasek (of Aardman fame), Jim Capobianco (Pixar), and Charles deCosta (SCAD professor and Animator)

Savannah College of Art and Design Department head Jeremy Moorshead moderated.

Tom's film Off-Line and Jim's film Leonardo were both in the professional short animation section of the festival.

On the panel, I was able to speak from a student's perspective and give advice on how to complete a thesis project.

Jim Capobianco giving some words of wisdom from his experience of making the short Leonardo over 10 years.

I also had the privilege of being the only lady on the panel.  You can do it, too, ladies!

A packed room full of animation students listening to us speak. (Photo thanks to Tyler Kupferer)

Thursday night we went to the evening reception held after the festival events each day.  Sir Ian McKellen showed up and gladly hung out and talked to a throng of fans.  We stalked and took cell phone pics from a safe distance.

Our friend Dustin Grella (Animator/Director of the award winning Prayers for Peace) wasn't as shy!

The table in Marshall House with postcards for films in the competition.  You can spot mine all the way over to the left second from the bottom. (Photo thanks to Tyler Kupferer)

Friday we did a bit of sight seeing in Savannah.  Saturday morning it was time for my film!  Here we are getting ready to go.

The marquee at the Trustees Theater where my film was being screened.

Anxiously waiting for my Dad to show up.

 

Yay, my Dad made it! Now waiting for the screening to start.

After the screening all the attending filmmakers stood up for a Q&A.

There were about eight of us in attendance so I tried to keep it short.

Getting lunch afterwards at a burger place.

Carlos and I at the awards ceremony on Saturday.  I didn't win, but it was a thrill just to be there.  All the filmmakers got to sit in the very front VIP style!

Dusty and I at the last party.  It was fantastic to meet so many other amazing animators.

The closing party was the best of the week! And yes, they had girls dancing in the back of pickup trucks indoors.  Go figure.

That was my trip to the Savannah Film Festival!  It was such a fun time I'm sad it's over.  Now to get out there and get my film in some more!

Animation - The Short Story Panel

Thursday I'm so excited to be heading down to Savannah to take part in the Savannah Film Festival!  I'm anticipating all the screenings, workshops, panels and parties.  My film which screened this morning will have an additional screening on Saturday at 11:30am at the Trustees Theater.  Apart from seeing my film on the big screen, I'm most excited about taking part in a panel called Animation - The Short Story (details below).  Not only am I honored to participate as a panel member, the other animators on the panel have hugely impressive resume's from Pixar, Disney, Ardman, Big Idea, and more!  How did I end up on such an impressive panel?  I feel like I'll want to ask just as many questions as the audience members.  So, if you are in Savannah, please swing by and see the panel then stay for the screenings and festivities!

(Click to see larger image.)