2024 Sundance marks something of a milestone in the documentary space for XYZ Films, best known for championing global genre fare like The Raid, Mandy, and The Invitation.
On Thursday opening night the Los Angeles-based company premieres two documentaries which it produced or executive produced. After years of relatively random engagement in the non-scripted format, producing the likes of Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce’s Framing John DeLorean (2019) and Marq Evans’s 2021 Tribeca premiere Claydream (2022), the documentary division led by Tamir Ardon is in full flow, with multiple projects in the pipeline.
Jeff Zimbalist’s Skywalkers: A Love Story is...
On Thursday opening night the Los Angeles-based company premieres two documentaries which it produced or executive produced. After years of relatively random engagement in the non-scripted format, producing the likes of Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce’s Framing John DeLorean (2019) and Marq Evans’s 2021 Tribeca premiere Claydream (2022), the documentary division led by Tamir Ardon is in full flow, with multiple projects in the pipeline.
Jeff Zimbalist’s Skywalkers: A Love Story is...
- 1/18/2024
- ScreenDaily
Animation geeks will enjoy following the twists and turns in the remarkable career of claymation expert Will Vinton
This documentary about animation maven Will Vinton, whose medium of preference was clay filmed in stop motion, covers his remarkable career in detail, with expected reverence. Strictly as a documentary it’s conventional and a bit snoozy, but animation geeks will revel in the chance it affords to learn more about Vinton, a mostly genial chap who nevertheless had some sharp corners to his character. While the narrative mostly follows a straight-ahead, chronological path through Vinton’s biography, the story comes with a classic parable about how small companies can end up crashing and burning, especially when they get mixed up with strictly material-minded Mba-holders and aggressively controlling angel investors.
Then again, it’s clear Vinton also had himself partly to blame for his eventual business travails, although for the most part...
This documentary about animation maven Will Vinton, whose medium of preference was clay filmed in stop motion, covers his remarkable career in detail, with expected reverence. Strictly as a documentary it’s conventional and a bit snoozy, but animation geeks will revel in the chance it affords to learn more about Vinton, a mostly genial chap who nevertheless had some sharp corners to his character. While the narrative mostly follows a straight-ahead, chronological path through Vinton’s biography, the story comes with a classic parable about how small companies can end up crashing and burning, especially when they get mixed up with strictly material-minded Mba-holders and aggressively controlling angel investors.
Then again, it’s clear Vinton also had himself partly to blame for his eventual business travails, although for the most part...
- 11/15/2022
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
Click here to read the full article.
In proudly weird Portland, Oregon, far from the Hollywood moviemaking machinery, an animation empire arose in the mid-’70s. It was fueled by a hippie-collective exuberance and one man’s “burning ambition,” as a colleague describes the enterprising energy of Will Vinton, the company’s driving force, in the engaging and insightful Claydream.
With incisive use of clips from the Vinton catalog and discerning interviews with Vinton and those who knew him, Marq Evans has made a film that pays tribute to its subject but is no starry-eyed celebration. Not unlike the characters Vinton and his collaborators brought to the screen through Claymation (a Vinton coinage and registered trademark), the doc combines exhilarating whimsy with dark and complex emotions. And any film that incorporates deposition footage is not likely to be headed toward a simple happily-ever-after.
Those legal proceedings pitted Vinton against Phil Knight,...
In proudly weird Portland, Oregon, far from the Hollywood moviemaking machinery, an animation empire arose in the mid-’70s. It was fueled by a hippie-collective exuberance and one man’s “burning ambition,” as a colleague describes the enterprising energy of Will Vinton, the company’s driving force, in the engaging and insightful Claydream.
With incisive use of clips from the Vinton catalog and discerning interviews with Vinton and those who knew him, Marq Evans has made a film that pays tribute to its subject but is no starry-eyed celebration. Not unlike the characters Vinton and his collaborators brought to the screen through Claymation (a Vinton coinage and registered trademark), the doc combines exhilarating whimsy with dark and complex emotions. And any film that incorporates deposition footage is not likely to be headed toward a simple happily-ever-after.
Those legal proceedings pitted Vinton against Phil Knight,...
- 8/12/2022
- by Sheri Linden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
You’ve almost certainly seen work that wouldn’t exist without the efforts of animation pioneer Will Vinton. But it’s just as likely that this is the first time you’ve ever heard his name. Thankfully, director Marq Evans (“The Glamour and the Squalor”) is determined to ensure that it won’t be the last.
In “Claydream,” Evans has made the tribute Vinton deserves – and the introduction most of us need.
As a student at Berkeley in the late 1960s, Vinton planned to go into architecture. But he found himself drawn to the sculptural works of Catalan visionary Antoni Gaudí, which in turn led to his own experiments with modelling clay. Once he combined this new interest with his love of film, he began innovating the seemingly limitless, if eternally painstaking, genre of stop-motion animation.
Also Read:
Will Vinton, Claymation Oscar Winner and Co-Creator of ‘California Raisins,’ Dies at 70
He and his artistic partner,...
In “Claydream,” Evans has made the tribute Vinton deserves – and the introduction most of us need.
As a student at Berkeley in the late 1960s, Vinton planned to go into architecture. But he found himself drawn to the sculptural works of Catalan visionary Antoni Gaudí, which in turn led to his own experiments with modelling clay. Once he combined this new interest with his love of film, he began innovating the seemingly limitless, if eternally painstaking, genre of stop-motion animation.
Also Read:
Will Vinton, Claymation Oscar Winner and Co-Creator of ‘California Raisins,’ Dies at 70
He and his artistic partner,...
- 8/11/2022
- by Elizabeth Weitzman
- The Wrap
The Book of Genesis contains two competing creation stories: There’s the one where an all-powerful deity conjures everything in six days, and the version where a more anthropomorphic god rolls up his heavenly sleeves and makes man from clay.
Guess which one the visionary stop-motion artist Will Vinton would have preferred.
Co-inventor of the “Claymation” technique, Vinton wanted to be the second Walt Disney. Colorful eyegasm “ClayDream” celebrates all that Will Vinton Studios achieved — its most beloved characters include the California Raisins, rabbit-eared Domino’s Pizza menace “the Noid” and Eddie Murphy series “The PJs” — while musing about what might have been, had control of the company not been wrested away from him by Nike honcho Phil Knight, who rechristened it Laika and put his son Travis in charge.
That was an unhappy end for Vinton (who died in 2018), to be sure, but like the Old Testament origin story, this saga has multiple versions.
Guess which one the visionary stop-motion artist Will Vinton would have preferred.
Co-inventor of the “Claymation” technique, Vinton wanted to be the second Walt Disney. Colorful eyegasm “ClayDream” celebrates all that Will Vinton Studios achieved — its most beloved characters include the California Raisins, rabbit-eared Domino’s Pizza menace “the Noid” and Eddie Murphy series “The PJs” — while musing about what might have been, had control of the company not been wrested away from him by Nike honcho Phil Knight, who rechristened it Laika and put his son Travis in charge.
That was an unhappy end for Vinton (who died in 2018), to be sure, but like the Old Testament origin story, this saga has multiple versions.
- 8/5/2022
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Oscilloscope Laboratories has snagged North American rights to Helmut Dosantos’ documentary “Gods of Mexico,” an exploration of the rich diversity of indigenous and Afro-descendant communities across Mexico.
The film had its world premiere at this year’s True/False Film Festival.
Hailed as “a tribute to those who fight to preserve their cultural identity amidst the shadows of modernization,” Dosantos transports audiences “through salt pans, deserts, highlands, jungle, and underground mines, in both richly saturated color and black-and-white melodic interludes.”
The “ethnographic portrait offers a critical consideration of values and challenges structures that breed displacement,” the synopsis reads.
Commented O-Scope’s Dan Berger: “’Gods of Mexico’ is inarguably one of the most astonishing filmic experiences I’ve had.” “The imagery is beyond stunning and the dialogue-free (but far from silent) soundtrack is utterly immersive,” he said, adding: “And this says nothing about the access that Helmut was able to...
The film had its world premiere at this year’s True/False Film Festival.
Hailed as “a tribute to those who fight to preserve their cultural identity amidst the shadows of modernization,” Dosantos transports audiences “through salt pans, deserts, highlands, jungle, and underground mines, in both richly saturated color and black-and-white melodic interludes.”
The “ethnographic portrait offers a critical consideration of values and challenges structures that breed displacement,” the synopsis reads.
Commented O-Scope’s Dan Berger: “’Gods of Mexico’ is inarguably one of the most astonishing filmic experiences I’ve had.” “The imagery is beyond stunning and the dialogue-free (but far from silent) soundtrack is utterly immersive,” he said, adding: “And this says nothing about the access that Helmut was able to...
- 4/6/2022
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Pushing the boundaries of stop-motion filmmaking in an effort to revolutionize the animation business became the powerful legacy of Academy Award-winning director-producer, Will Vinton. Known for leading the development of claymation in movies and on television throughout his career, the filmmaker took pivotal steps to mold and sculpt his career to the best of his […]
The post 2021 Tribeca Film Festival Video Interview: Marq Evans Talks ClayDream (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post 2021 Tribeca Film Festival Video Interview: Marq Evans Talks ClayDream (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 6/20/2021
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
Director Marq Evans, best known for his documentary "The Glamour & the Squalor," about rock DJ Marco Collins, has a new music-centric project. "Bands by Jude" is an alphabet book for music lovers created by Evans' 10-year-old son. The book promises to have even the littlest learners rocking their ABCs. It is illustrated in bold colors by artist Chloe Becky. The idea for the book was conceived when Jude was just 3 years old, he asked his dad if there was a book about all the bands he loved. When they couldn't find one, they did what any creative father-son duo would do -- set out to make their own. "Bands by Jude" is currently available...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 12/17/2020
- Screen Anarchy
Exclusive: Xyz Films and Rick and Morty producer Starburns Industries are teaming to produce Welcome to My Daydream, a biographical feature-length documentary about Oscar-winning stop-motion animation icon Will Vinton. Marq Evans (The Glamour & the Squalor) is set to direct, with Xyz handling worldwide sales.
The docu will feature new original claymation scenes using characters Vinton helped design before his death in October.
Vinton won the Oscar for Animated Short in 1975 with Bob Gardiner for Closed Mondays, the first of four noms in the category. He also was co-nominated for the visual effects in Walter Murch’s Return to Oz in 1986. Vinton’s creations hit the mainstream thanks to advertising campaigns led by the Marvin Gaye-signing California Raisins and Domino’s Pizza’s Noid. His Portland-based Will Vinton Studios eventually was acquired by Nike’s Phil Knight and morphed into Laika, the stop-motion studio headed by Travis Knight that has...
The docu will feature new original claymation scenes using characters Vinton helped design before his death in October.
Vinton won the Oscar for Animated Short in 1975 with Bob Gardiner for Closed Mondays, the first of four noms in the category. He also was co-nominated for the visual effects in Walter Murch’s Return to Oz in 1986. Vinton’s creations hit the mainstream thanks to advertising campaigns led by the Marvin Gaye-signing California Raisins and Domino’s Pizza’s Noid. His Portland-based Will Vinton Studios eventually was acquired by Nike’s Phil Knight and morphed into Laika, the stop-motion studio headed by Travis Knight that has...
- 3/6/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2015 Outfest Los Angeles Lgbt Film Festival ran July 9-19, closing Sunday with Francois Ozon's gender-bending melodrama “The New Girlfriend," starring Romain Duris and Anais Demoustier. The festival gives out audiences awards and three juries voted on shorts, narrative features and documentary awards (I voted on the doc jury). Read More: John Cameron Mitchell Gets Outfest Achievement Award. The Outfest Los Angeles 2015 Award Winners are listed below: Read More: Outfest 2015 Lineup has Nick Jonas, Christine Vachon, 'Beaver Trilogy' and More. Audience Awards: Documentary Short A Place in the Middle, Directed by Dean Hamer Dramatic Short The Letter, Directed by Angeles Cruz Documentary Feature The Glamour and the Squalor, Directed by Marq Evans Dramatic Feature Fourth Man Out, Directed by Andrew Nackman First Us Dramatic Feature Those People, Directed by Joey Kuhn Grand Jury Awards Documentary Feature Special Recognition For Excellence in Filmmaking we award a...
- 7/19/2015
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Parvez Sharma’s pilgrimmage to Mecca shot on an iPhone picked up a prize as the Lgbt festival in Los Angeles came to a close on Sunday night.
2015 Outfest ran from July 9-19 and closed with François Ozon’s The New Girlfriend.
Audience Awards
Dramatic Feature
Fourth Man Out, dir Andrew Nackman
Documentary Feature
The Glamour And The Squalor, dir Marq Evans
First Us Dramatic Feature
Those People, dir Joey Kuhn
Documentary Short
A Place In The Middle, dir Dean Hamer
Dramatic Short
The Letter, dir Angeles Cruz
Grand Jury Awards
Citations appear below as formulated by the juries
Documentary Feature Special Recognition
For Excellence in Filmmaking we award a Special Jury mention to Tchindas, a masterfully crafted intimate portrait of the courageous Cape Verdian trans community
Documentary Feature Winner
We award Best Documentary Feature to A Sinner In Mecca for gay filmmaker Parvez Sharma’s daring iPhone journey of acceptance into the heart of Islam.
Actor...
2015 Outfest ran from July 9-19 and closed with François Ozon’s The New Girlfriend.
Audience Awards
Dramatic Feature
Fourth Man Out, dir Andrew Nackman
Documentary Feature
The Glamour And The Squalor, dir Marq Evans
First Us Dramatic Feature
Those People, dir Joey Kuhn
Documentary Short
A Place In The Middle, dir Dean Hamer
Dramatic Short
The Letter, dir Angeles Cruz
Grand Jury Awards
Citations appear below as formulated by the juries
Documentary Feature Special Recognition
For Excellence in Filmmaking we award a Special Jury mention to Tchindas, a masterfully crafted intimate portrait of the courageous Cape Verdian trans community
Documentary Feature Winner
We award Best Documentary Feature to A Sinner In Mecca for gay filmmaker Parvez Sharma’s daring iPhone journey of acceptance into the heart of Islam.
Actor...
- 7/19/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Organisers at the Seattle International Film Festival (Siff) announced the complete line-up of 450 films from 92 countries on Wednesday. The festival runs from May 14-June 7.
The Overnight starring Jason Schwartzman will close the event and as previously announced Spy (pictured) with Melissa McCartney will kick off proceedings. Kevin Bacon will receive career achievement in acting award.
“This year’s festival is bigger and more international than ever, with a record 92 countries represented,” said Siff artistic director Carl Spence. “Adding to our diverse international line-up is our new programme, Culinary Cinema, which features 11 fantastic new films.
“And I’m particularly excited to welcome Kevin Bacon as this year’s Tribute Guest – Siff will now be only one-degree of separation away!”
Galas and premieres include Max Landis’ directorial debut Me Him Her, Chris Evans in Before We Go, Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Segal in the Centerpiece Gala End Of The Tour . Inside Out, Mr. Holmes and [link...
The Overnight starring Jason Schwartzman will close the event and as previously announced Spy (pictured) with Melissa McCartney will kick off proceedings. Kevin Bacon will receive career achievement in acting award.
“This year’s festival is bigger and more international than ever, with a record 92 countries represented,” said Siff artistic director Carl Spence. “Adding to our diverse international line-up is our new programme, Culinary Cinema, which features 11 fantastic new films.
“And I’m particularly excited to welcome Kevin Bacon as this year’s Tribute Guest – Siff will now be only one-degree of separation away!”
Galas and premieres include Max Landis’ directorial debut Me Him Her, Chris Evans in Before We Go, Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Segal in the Centerpiece Gala End Of The Tour . Inside Out, Mr. Holmes and [link...
- 4/29/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
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