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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.
| Catalog Number: MC-538 |
Type: Shorts Compilation |
Genre: Animation |
| Copyright: 2003 |
Length: 80 minutes |
Format:
DVD Region: 0 (All) |
| TV System: NTSC |
ISBN: |
UPC: 820360106095 |
| Label: Square Footage Films |
This title is available in Europe for Wholesale - List Prices: £13.99 / 20.00€
This is a Microcinema Exclusive title.
Wholesale Purchasing:
Program MC-538 is available for wholesale from Microcinema DVD. Contact info[at]microcinema.com or call at +1-415-447-9750
Exhibition:
Program MC-538 may be licensed for Exhibition.
Films In Compilation
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 ...
|
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
|
 |
New Fangled directed by
George
Griffin
USA,
Animation,
1990,
Color,
Magnetic Stereo,
00:01:46
Advertising executives discuss concepts for a new ad ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
|
 |
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 ...
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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 ...
|
 |
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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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". ...
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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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Avoid Eye Contact Volume II
MC-519, 2005
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New York City is a place of constant change, invention and chaos; Avoid Eye Contact sums up these urban qualities in animated terms.
Avoid Eye Contact Volume 2 continues to explore the thriving contemporary independent scene going on in New York... more >
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Bill Plympton's Dog Days
MC-941, 2009
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From 2004-2008, Mr. Plympton had an unparalleled string of hit films. Featured here are the best of this golden age, including the celebrated dog trilogy and a number of rare and seldom seen... more >
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Bill's Dirty Shorts
MC-555, 2006
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A collection of Bill Plympton’s newest naughty shorts. This DVD contains 80 minutes of material from the years 1997 to 2002.
Includes short films:
• “Sex and Violence”
• “The Exciting Life of a Tree”
• “More Sex and violence”
• “Can’t Drag... more >
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Cartune Xprez
MC-682, 2006
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CARTUNE XPREZ is a collection of contemporary animated videos by Paper Rad, Takeshi Murata, Hooliganship, Michael Bell-Smith, Amy Lockhart, Shana Moulton, Francine Spiegel, Philippe Blanchard, Peter Burr, Cassandra C Jones, Christopher Doulgeris,... more >
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Fighting Gravity
MC-386, 2005
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Brand New Films! Two Documentaries!
"Creative, dramatic and lovingly crafted. A must see for fans of animation...this fantastic pair of discs easily comes recommended." -Randy Miller III, DVDtalk
"I whole-heartedly recommend picking up... more >
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Liquid Tales: The Animated Films of Patrick Smith
MC-652, 2006
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The Animated films of Patrick Smith have been a favorite at film festivals world-wide for the last decade. Smiths' bizarre, morphing style and symbolic stories of identity and emotion, have influenced a new generation of traditional hand-drawn... more >
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Metronomic & Co: French Animated Shorts
MC-306, 2004
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An epic collection of 11 extraordinary animated shorts like you've never seen before, created by a collective of rebellious directors beyond definition ...
Careful, perhaps you are not ready for such an experience... But at night, far from your... more >
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Phantom Museums: The Short Films of the Quay Brothers
MC-661, 2006
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To coincide with the theatrical release of THE PIANO TUNER OF EARTHQUAKES, Zeitgeist Films presents a thirteen-film retrospective of shorts by famed twin animators the Quay Brothers. Two of the world’s most original filmmakers, identical twins... more >
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Piano Tuner of Earthquakes, The
MC-673, 2005
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The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes is the breathtakingly beautiful and long-awaited second feature film from the Quay Brothers. On the eve of her wedding, the beautiful opera singer Malvina is mysteriously “killed” and abducted by the malevolent Dr.... more >
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Psychomachia
MC-313, 2004
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Dont think of them as sins, but more as self indulgences and there is nothing wrong with a little bit of that. Is there?” Lucifer. Following the tradition of personifying passions, moods and character tendencies, the artist has modernized the Seven... more >
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Ten Animated Films
MC-516, 2005
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If animation is an expression of one's Soul, then Signe's soul according to the DVD she just released with her 10 animated films (1991- 2005) ranges from an entertaining whore ("Five Fucking Fables") to a monk searching for Meaning of Life ("The... more >
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