N.C. Jones's Lounge Discussions

Sometimes it's a blessing when you're so keyed into an idea that you can't sleep for wanting to writing it. Sometimes it's a plague because the idea is pathetically out of your league, unrealistic and without a shred of hope of ever seeing the light of day. It sits there in the back of your head, like a tumor, festering until you must do something, anything, to free yourself of it. Whaddaya do? Write the damn thing anyway. (And then maybe post it to the internet for the wolves who won't appreciate it anyway? I dunno, I'll let ya know.)

Random googling led me across some production art from one Joe Bluhm ([joebluhm.blogspot.com/][1]). If there’s one thing I love, it’s a professional artist’s sketch blog and happily many digital and animation professionals rock them these days. Joe’s blog revealed a brilliant-looking animated short he contributed designs for called “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore” from Moonbot Studios. Here’s the Trailer ([vimeo.com/17164728][2]). Here’s a description: “Inspired, in equal measures, by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books, “Morris Lessmore” is a story of people who devote their lives to books and books who return the favor. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story. Using a variety of techniques (miniatures, computer animation, 2D animation) award winning author/ illustrator William Joyce and Co-director Brandon Oldenburg present a hybrid style of animation that harkens back to silent films and M-G-M Technicolor musicals. “Morris Lessmore” is old fashioned and cutting edge at the same time.” In other words, hovering dead center in my vortex of awesome. Moonbot’s got a great series of behind the scenes at their Vimeo page ([vimeo.com/moonbot][3]) where they speak about inspirations, cherised animation, Katrina and “The power of story to change a life.” After watching the first of these making-ofs it’s clear that “Morris Lessmore” has been created with a deep appreciation for heart-felt storytelling. I haven’t even seen the film, but over the course of 30 minutes I’d fallen in love. [1]: http://joebluhm.blogspot.com/ [2]: http://vimeo.com/17164728 [3]: http://vimeo.com/moonbot