Independent Animation #7 – Sean Buckelew
In the seventh episode of Independent Animation, our companion podcast series to the Skwigly tie-in book Independent Animation: Developing, Producing and Distributing Your Animated Films (Taylor & Francis/CRC Press), we welcome back Sean Buckelew to discuss his latest indie animated short film Drone, which is released online February 5th.
Having received an MFA in Experimental Animation from the California Institute of the Arts and a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sean has since worked on projects including We Are Your Friends, Consuming Spirits and the Annie Award-winning animated sequences of He Named Me Malala. His commercial work includes projects for clients spanning Disney Channel, MTV, Arctic Monkeys, VH1, Adult Swim and Apple Podcasts, made alongside his own films such as Another, Lovestreams and I’m Not A Robot.
Produced by Jeanette Jeanenne (GLAS Animation Festival), Drone takes on themes of artificial intelligence, remote warfare, the news media, social media, pareidolia and politics in its story of a Predator drone installed with an ethical AI personality that malfunctions during a crucial press event and goes rogue, embarking on a philosophical and existential odyssey as the world looks on.
Following its premiere at Annecy followed by screenings at OIAF, Sitges, LIAF and our own Skwigly Screening at the Manchester Animation Festival, Drone will be released online this coming Sunday, February 5th (3am February 6th UK time).
See more of Sean’s work at seanbuckelew.com
If you enjoyed this episode be sure to check out the book:
Book Features
- Covers the entire process of creating an independent animated film, from story development and casting to editing and distribution
- Features input from some of the industry’s most noteworthy animation talents and exclusive insight into their working processes
- Additional resources and interviews available through a special section of Skwigly Online Animation Magazine
Book Summary
With the advent of advanced hand-held technology and the widespread nature of the internet, the world of animated filmmaking is more exciting and accessible than ever. Due to this cultural and technological development, the success of independent animated film makers is on the rise. Independent Animation showcases some of the greatest, most innovated giants in the field and helps guide readers through the artistic process and production techniques. Story development, casting, color, distribution, and the intimidating aspects of production are elucidated using various examples from all over the world. Readers will also explore the changing nature of the audiences’ relationship with animation, granting firsthand guidance in navigating the diverse fields of animated film-making.
Available to buy now from Routledge with an updated second edition available to preorder from March 21st.