ANIMATE! CALL FOR FRESH PROPOSALS

ANIMATE! the successful nation-wide broadcaster-linked animation commissioning scheme, is moving into its second decade with a fresh call for proposals.
The scheme is produced on behalf of its funders, the Arts Council of England and Channel 4, by Dick Arnal of Finetake Productions. Arnell and his company have long been associated with artistic experiment and innovation in animation. He will be joined by Maggie Ellis who will work as Production Executive on the scheme.
The scheme’s definition of animation is very broad, as you do not even have to be an animator to apply. Applications are welcome from filmmakers, artists with experience of film video or digital media, established and emergent animators.
However, proposals must be fired by an irresistibly original idea that could not be realised in direct live-action film. Celluloid, tape and digital technologies are all acceptable, in pure hybrid form. Collaborations with other artists, photographers, illustrators, writers, composers and sound designers are strongly encouraged.
Arnell and Ellis will be working with the Arts Council, Channel 4, The Lux Centre and other exhibition and distribution bodies to increase the exposure of Animate! Productions.
Additionally, Finetake are setting up an Animate! Website to develop the scheme as a web presence and resource.
Selected projects, with a running time of between three and six minutes, must be completed for delivery to Channel 4 by the end of July 2002. Budgets will range from £5,000 to £30,000.
Full guidelines and details of how to apply are available on www.animateonline.org and the closing date for applications is February 28.
Two of the latest Animate! Projects to be completed soon this year are ‘Camouflage’ (pictured) by Jonathon Hodgson, which explores the experience of a child growing up with a schizophrenic parent. Hodgson’s previous Animate! Project ‘Feeling My Way’ is still garnering awards and acclaim at festivals around the world. His ‘The Man With The Beautiful Eyes’ won last year’s BAFTA for ‘Best Animated Film’.
‘Posted Of Belief’ by Lesley Adams is the other project soon to be completed. It uses a range of drawn techniques to present the effects of a long –term physical pain on the human body and mind. (CD)