In Marq Evan’s acclaimed film CLAYDREAM, youthful ambition in freewheeling 1960s Portland comes face-to-face with the corporate behemoth. Animation fans and enthusiasts who want to learn more about the artistic side, as well as the economic side of the animation industry can watch Claydream via Altitude Films right now. It really is an eye opener. Everyone knows what claymation is, right? We’ve seen it so many times across most platforms, and it has developed into something quite wonderful. However, back in the 60s, claymation was an entirely different powerhouse that rejuvenated the commercial industry and brought in a wave of highly creative and collaborative creators. Unfortunately, it was a complicated battlefield that Will Vinton had to navigate.
After winning an Oscar in the mid-1970s, Vinton looked set for a glittering career… He made the first full-length claymation feature film, collaborated with Hollywood megastars and established a studio employing over 300 animators. But he hadn’t reckoned on death threats, claymation falling out of fashion, and business deals that would cost him everything.
Utilising a wealth of archive footage, interviews with everyone concerned in the compelling story, and plenty of examples of Vinton’s extraordinary animations, CLAYDREAM is a bittersweet, must-see examination of the often fraught relationship between art and commerce, the creator and the accountant. It’s a profoundly moving portrait of a man driven by burning ambition, whose groundbreaking technique remains influential to this day.
As we mentioned before, if you’re an avid animation fan then this is a must. To say that you love animation is one thing, but we feel that it’s important to understand the history of certain revolutionary methods, as well as the names that helped push this entertainment format to new heights. There’s something wonderful about getting to hear from the pioneers themselves, but Vinton’s story is weighed down by a great sadness that reveals how tricky business can be, and how easy it is to get lost in it all.
While this documentary does focus on the business relationships that Vinton formed, there is so much more to this adventure besides money and signatures. Vinton was an influential figure who simply wanted to create, and hearing the stories from his close friends and family really painted a beautiful picture of the person he was and what he truly wanted to achieve. Claydream is a touching tribute that highlights the wonders of clayanimation and its potential, but doesn’t shy away from the trials and tribulations that haunted Vinton’s career and legacy.
You can check out the trailer for Claydream below:
Claydream is available via Altitude Film and other digital platforms now. Will you be watching? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
