Oscars – Day 6
Thursday rounded out nicely, having spent the morning dining on Wolfgang Puck treats, then in the evening, it was time for the Oscar Nominated Features Symposium. The Animated Features Symposium is a chance to meet the filmmakers behind the year’s Oscar Nominated Animated Features and a chance to ask them questions about the animated medium.
This year’s nominated features include, “Rango”, “Puss in Boots”, “Chico and Rita”, “A Cat in Paris”, and “Kung Fu Panda 2”. What makes the evening so enjoyable is the format: The moderator of the evening, this year was Patton Oswalt, opens the show, then features a clip of one of the films. When the 10 minute clip completes, the director, writer, or animator takes the stage for a one on one interview with the moderator.
Each feature gets this treatment until all of the animated features have had their turn. Then, the moderator invites all the filmmakers back on stage in one large group to take questions from the audience, which range from the simple, “Was making the film difficult”, to the more advanced film school student inquiry like, “Do you concentrate on the color palette or more on character when starting the story boards?”
There are some striking differences in this year’s features, which I discuss in the video segment for today. One thing is for sure: Animated features are here to stay in all their various forms and will likely be a favorite movie style of audiences of all ages long into the future.
A special thank our to our sponsors for making my coverage possible. They include: Ashtabula County Medical Center, The Geneva Lodge and Conference Center, Ashtabula County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Carlisle’s Home in the Harbor, Heather Johnson Independent Distributor of Premiere Designs Jewelry, Star 97.1 FM, Whysoblu.com, Magic Oldies 102.5, The Star Beacon, and 98.3 FM-The Bull.
My $ is on Rango!