Podcast: Interview with ‘Pear Cider and Cigarettes’ director Robert Valley
In episode 68 of the Skwigly Animation Podcast we welcome Robert Valley, director of the original Vimeo animated documentary short Pear Cider and Cigarettes.
Developed from Valley’s own self-published graphic novels and produced by Cara Speller of Passion Pictures, the film tells the true story of the director’s attempts to keep his childhood friend Techno Stypes from destroying himself, a task that grows increasingly difficult as time wears on. Earlier this month Pear Cider and Cigarettes picked up an Annie Award for Best Animated Special Production and is among this year’s Oscar nominees for Best Animated Short.
Robert Valley’s prior work includes designing for Æon Flux, Beatles RockBand, Tron: Uprising and visuals for the band Gorillaz (with Jamie Hewlett).
Also discussed in this episode: BAFTA wins, Oscar nominees, recent National Film and Television School output, the questionable necessity of a Beauty & the Beast remake.