Nina Paley (ninapaley.com), America's Best-Loved Unknown Cartoonist (and clam hater) was kind enough to invite me, a mere civilian, to a tony animated film screening including her work in progress, "Sita," and other hot shot academy award nominee/winner type animators at the Eastman Kodak Company last night.
What was great: I finally got to meet Nina in person and let me tell you something, she didn't disappoint (even though she was under the weather). Plus, there was booze. It was free.
What sucked: Nina's flick was shown first, and I was late, so I missed it. Oh, and the air conditioning was crap, and with a hundred or so suckup /blowhards in the audience, well, that's gonna stuff up a room.
The crowd? Nerdy. Nothing wrong with nerds. Ok, there's a lot wrong with nerds, but there's a lot wrong with everyone. I'll take a room full of nerds over a room full of porn stars any day. Anyway, like I said, Nina's flick was first. The opening act is a tough slot; I should know, having been an opening act myself before, but word had it that "Sita" was well received. All one had to do was note the crowd surrounding Nina after the screening to know that. She was absolutely covered in sychophants after the show*, so much so, that a heavy dose of antibiotics wouldn't be a bad idea. You can have a taste of "Sita" yourself, right here.
The rest of the show included the following films and filmmakers (in no particular order):
"The Man Who Walked Between the Towers," Michael Sporn
"One Rat Short," Alex Weil
"Puppet," Pat Smith
"Bunny," Chris Wedge
"Dentist," Signe Baumane
"Guide Dog," Jimmy Picker
After chatting with Nina and friends, I went to get myself another cocktail. Near the bar I spied Jimmy Picker, who showed his amazing "Jimmy the C," a claymation of Jimmy Carter singing Ray Charles' version Georgia (written by Willie Nelson). Dynamite! I lost control. I promised myself I wouldn't be a suckup, but I just had to tell him how much I loved his flick and just how much I love Jimmy Carter and how I used to sketch him all the time when I was a kid. "Are you from Georgia?" he asked. No, just a nerd, I replied. Then the most amazing thing happened:
JIMMY TOLD ME THAT HE CREATED THE HAMBURGER/VAN HALEN SCENE IN "BETTER OFF DEAD" STARRING JOHN CUSACK BEFORE JOHN GOT OLD AND BLOATED AND HAD TERRIBLE TASTE IN WOMEN!
What? You mean the very first VHS movie I ever purchased? WOW WOW WOW WOW
I just about died and went to heaven. So did Jimmy from my reaction. It was awesome. A real feel good festival.
Anyway, long story short: A good time. Yay!
* I include myself as one, definitely. I'm just better at hiding it. Or am I?
7 comments:
What's you opinion on a room full of nerdy porn stars?
i'd have to see it to believe it. when's your party?
Nina ROCKS.
You missed out big time by missing SITA, my friend.
I got to be awesome by "knowing" (although we'd never met before) the fabulous Anne Altman. It especially impressed my gentleman friend when Anne explained, "I HATE PEOPLE." Normally he only hears me and himself say that. It is an incredibly sexy thing to say, but I'm het and he's taken (by me) so Anne went home alone. Also, Anne figured out the New York animation scene in a few seconds ("ass lickers", "sycophants") while it takes most people days or even months. She rocks, my friends.
Also, just to set the record straight, I do like clams. I especially like New England clam chowder, but in New York City they make it with more bacon than clams, and I don't think it should have any bacon at all (I don't eat bacon). That menu of fried clams made my mouth water, although I don't know the difference between "native" and "strip" clams. And right now all I can eat is yogurt 'cause I'm sick. I hope that clears things up. Thank you.
Awww, Nina. Feel better soon. In the meantime, let me clear up the clam conundrum.
"native" clams are whole clams. clam "strips" are clams with the belly cut off (graphic, I know) so strips=necks. the belly, though gelatinous and quite rude if you check it out too carefully, is why clams taste good.
the neck is rubbery and basically just like calamari, which tastes like nothing special unless it is marinated or deep fried, and everyone knows that anything deep fried (even a fly or piece of lint, perhaps) is delicious.
howard johnson's was famous for their deep fried clam strips. but real new england places don't ever destroy the clam in it's natural state--or circumcise it, if you will.
WHO'S HUNGRY?!?!?!
I'm starvin - you got any clams?
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