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Monday, July 2, 2012

The Fantastic Flying Books of Morris Lessmore






 
First things first. Don't be a dope - like me. If you haven't seen the video, drop everything and use the link I've enclosed to this brilliant Academy Award winning short animated film.

Time spent watching THE FANTASTIC FLYING BOOKS OF MORRIS LESSMORE (2011) is time very definitely well spent. (It's only about ten or so minutes.)

I saw the film this morning thanks to my friend Jean in Colorado who put the link on Facebook for me. I'd totally forgotten about this little gem. THANK YOU, Jean!

Using a combination of techniques including computer animation, 2D animation and miniatures, William Joyce and co-director Brandon Oldenberg fashioned a hybrid mix of animation which is beautiful to behold. The hurricane sequence in the beginning of the film is spectacular. The later quieter scenes among the books are moving and quite lovely and in one sequence when Morris dances with the books to the tune of Pop Goes the Weasel your heart just bounces along with him. This is what modern animation should look like.

Inspired in equal measure by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books, The Fantastic Flying Books of Morris Lessmore is a poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story. IMDb.


Link to The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

To learn a more about the animated film, the studio (Moonbot Studios of Shreveport, La. - William Joyce's hometown.) and see a pix of the triumphant Joyce and co-director Brandon Oldenberg at the Oscars, please use this link.


Now there's a book available in conjunction with the film from the magical hands, brains and artistry of William Joyce, creative genius. Turns out that Joyce began work on the book in 1999 (according to IMDb) and it's only just now being published. A must-have, far as I'm concerned.

And for those of you with tech inclinations and an i-phone or i-pad - there's an app available which as I understand it makes the pages of the book come alive. (This news come direct from Moonbot Studios who were nice enough to contact me and thank me for the plug.)

16 comments:

  1. I downloaded this when it came out but didn't go ahead and watch it because I was going to save it for a movie night and promptly forgot all about it. It looks so charming--thanks for the reminder to watch it!

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  2. What a great animation!!! I know I'll be sending the link to others . . .

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  3. I hadn't heard of this little gem until the film received recognition during the Oscar celebrations. The story has many elements that I hold dear: books, William Joyce, silent films and of course, Buster Keaton (it is amazing how they captured the comic even to his eyebrows). I hope others will discover the charm and pleasure of "Morris Lessmore" through you post.

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  4. You're welcome, Lauren. It's definitely worth setting some time aside to watch. After all, it's only a few minutes. Dazzling minutes, though. :)

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  5. Please do, Mark. The more the merrier. A wonderful bit of film.

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  6. Whistling Gypsy, I hope so too.Everyone who loves books and great movie-making, should see this film.

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  7. You are the second person I've heard that raves about this short. I'm not going to have time to watch it now, but I will be back to do so.

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  8. Yes, I have seen it twice and love it. Had forgotten about it until you reposted it. It's great isn't it.

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  9. I can't believe that we missed you some how with this. So I'm extra happy now that the book came out & we were all re-reminded about the short! Yay books! Yay William Joyce!

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  10. Ryan, you will love it. Let me know what you think when you have a few minutes to watch.

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  11. Yes, Pam. I could kick myself for not having watched it earlier. Oh well, the important thing is that I watched it now.

    Thanks for dropping in. :)

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  12. You said it, Jean. Joyce is a true genius. I love his work. I have several of his books here in my own little collection. Wouldn't you love to be working for his production company??? Juggling new ideas, conceptualizing...A dream job.

    I wonder what he'll come up with next.

    I hear that Leaf Men is being turned into a film. But that's all I know.

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  13. I saw this film several months ago and loved it. I'm glad word of it is spreading around. It's too good to miss!

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  14. I agree, Joan. I almost missed it myself. And I'm so glad I didn't. What a little treasure.

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  15. Me too, Nan. It's really a little piece of perfect.

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