Chris Angus
Chris began dabbling with animation in 1993 as part of the commercial arts course that he wastaking at that time. Becoming fascinated with the animator’s craft, he began attendingworkshops held by the Manitoba Society of Independent Animators (MSIA). Chris receivedfunding from MSIA in the form of space and equipment usage and set up shop in MSIA’sstudios working on hisfirstfilm the Urge when time permitted. the Urge was completed in thespring of 2001.After several years of production, Chris completed the Urge 2 - It Lies Within. During this time,Chris taught an animation course at the Winnipeg Art Gallery - Studio Programs, worked onseveral small animated commercials, and began working on a screenplay for a featurefilm. theUrge 2 - It Lies Within has won over 15 awards at internationalfilm festivals to date, includingbestfilm, bestfilmmaker, and best animator.Then Chris completed his nextfilm, Futureworld. It has won over 13 awards in “Best of”categories, as well as various other awards.Chris’ most recentfilm, Hinter-Land is now beginning itsfilm festival run and has already wonseveral awards.While working on music and sound for Hinter-Land Chris began animating the vignette -Healing for the Nations.Currently Chris is in the animation stages of his nextfilm.
What is the story behind your film?
The idea first started with hearing that there is a plant that looks like a sunflower, yet doesn't follow the sun, and realizing that it would work great as a parable. The film developed from there.
What should people take away, gain, realize after watching your film?
There are several interconnected ideas within the film. The key thing that I would like people to take from this is that the ideas in the film are all rooted in the main idea, which is that we have an interconnected interaction with the natural world and that it is, and has been, full of meaning for us. It, and our interaction with it, speaks, how do we interpret it, and what does this all mean?
The idea first started with hearing that there is a plant that looks like a sunflower, yet doesn't follow the sun, and realizing that it would work great as a parable. The film developed from there.
What should people take away, gain, realize after watching your film?
There are several interconnected ideas within the film. The key thing that I would like people to take from this is that the ideas in the film are all rooted in the main idea, which is that we have an interconnected interaction with the natural world and that it is, and has been, full of meaning for us. It, and our interaction with it, speaks, how do we interpret it, and what does this all mean?
Do you think that films can change people for the better or for the worse?
Yes, both. But of course, they are only one factor in a person's life among many.
What creation style did you use in the production of your project? What cameraman elements did you use?
I went for fairly simple, yet hopefully appealing backgrounds, and spent some time trying to achieve flowing and nice animation.
How did you select the actors for your project?
There are no actors, just a voiceover which was spoken by the sound engineer.
Why do you think your film should appeal to distributors?
Because it has appealed to a wide segment of the potential filmgoers they are distributing to.
At which festival has your film been screened?
It premiered in the Canadian Panorama at the Ottawa International Animation Festival has gone on to screen in many festivals over the last few months, and has already garnered several awards for Best Short Animated Film and/or Best Fantasy Film.
How did your acquaintances react when they first saw the film?
Everyone appreciated it and thought it provoked thought with its interwoven ideas.
If you could change something in your film, what would it be?
At this point, I don't know if any changes I could think of would make it better, only different. That perspective might change when I'm more distanced from having made it.
Which movies are your favorites and why?
I like all sorts of movies. Right now I'm working through some of the Criterion Collection. I always appreciate finding a good independent animated short film.
What topics do you like to address in your stories?
I like to try and make films that have human insights we can all relate to, with playfulness to them, while also dealing with some big or heavy ideas and/or questions.
What is your motivation in making films?
I want them to speak to people.
Which contemporary filmmakers motivate you the most
Independent Animators whose work I see in various compilations.
What projects do you plan to shoot in the future?
I have an 8-minute short animated film I'm in the middle of now and an idea for another film I'm starting to develop.