Here’s an interview I did a little while ago with Taylor Jessen for the Animation Show. It’s mostly about Learn Self Defense, for the upcoming DVD. We also talk a bit about the new Mystery Work In Progress. I ramble a bit, but that’s just how I am. Enjoy.
Aaron Simpson of Cold Hard Flash did a presentation at Flash Forward Boston this year called “One Man Bands.”
Aaron presented demonstrations and a behind the scenes look at the work of five independent Flash Animators, and interviewed all of us about our work. The participants were the ultra-talented Anton Bogaty, Max Lang, Ian Culbard, Joel Trussell, and Ol’ Chris Harding.
Here is Chris Harding’s contribution to that little presentation, which Aaron has posted over at CHF.
Chris Harding did a long-ish interview with a local Kansas City arts and entertainment publication called PRESENT Magazine.
It’s kind of long, because Chris Harding does not know how to be concise. It’s also much more serious and pretentious sounding than was intended, but the interviewer asked pretty good questions. So, go… read… skim… enjoy… Chris Harding’s very bad attempts at answering questions about independent animated shorts.
The March issue of Japanese animation and video magazine, CG World, has a very nice two-page article and interview with Chris Harding on Learn Self Defense. We don’t know any Japanese, but we’re hoping it says something positive.
Here’s the google translation of the article summary:
-Paradigm shifter
Crith* Harding
It was seen mainly even at the electronic theter of the SIGGRAPH of last year, depends on the artist of various fields, the unique animation work. This time, the electronic theater prize-winning work ‘Learn Self Defense’ the new world of the animation which evolved from interview of the writer and crith* Harding is searched.
Busustow Media Group is working on a documentary about the mid-century work of the influencial studio, UPA.
They had a huge impact on many animators, whether they realize it it or not. Obviously, Make Mine Shoebox and Learn Self Defense owe a lot to them. Hopefully some old UPA gems will resurface and be made available to the public once again as a result of this project.
Chris Harding will be interviewed for the documentary, although who knows if that material will make the final cut? Check out their website for more information and updates on the progress of the film.
fps is a very thoughtful and well designed magazine. This was true even before the editors and staff decided to feature Learn Self Defense on the cover of the September issue. It's even more true now.
Exerpt:
…Dressing contemporary political commentary in satire, Harding brilliantly sets the story of George deciding that he must learn to protect himself after being brutally attacked in an alley… …the intent of this film is not dissimilar to John Hubley’s in his 1946 Brotherhood of Man. Thankfully, Chris Harding will not find himself at the behest of McCarthy’s Committee on Un-American Affairs as did Hubley for making art…- Janeann Dill, fps magazine #4
September 2005
Taylor Jessen at Animation World Magazine (who is obviously a smart and handsome person) has written a very generous review of Learn Self Defense. Here is an exerpt:
…This could have been very topical and on-the-nose, and like most timely satire destined to fade quickly from memory. Instead Learn Self Defense is one for the ages. In a classic homeroom-style educational film format, he lays out hilariously self-fulfilling arguments for war that would become standard in some alternate-universe, subversive American educational system….
Back from Austin! There were a lot of really great animated shorts in the program, and it was an honor to be among them. The crowd was wonderful. This was the first public screening of Learn Self Defense, and the audience seemed to really get it.
Here are a few earaly reviews and press mentions from the screening. We'll be logging all the reviews at the Learn Self Defense page, so check back there once in a while if you give a crap what critics think.
The best quote so far:
"These shorts definitely aren't the 'feel-good' type." from Audra Schroeder of the Austin Chronicle
Austin Chronicle, review of SXSW Animated Shorts Program
Sure, the last time you saw "animation" might have been as the opening act for Carrot Top at the Chuckle Bucket, but this collection of animated shorts has – gasp – a social message. … Most enjoyable, however, is "Learn Self-Defense," the story of a simple man named George who is a god-fearing husband and father, until he is robbed and beaten. He decides he must learn self-defense, and the final scene shows George in a 10-gallon hat, skipping down Main Street in Anytown, USA, and polishing off any person who gets in his way. These shorts definitely aren't the "feel-good" type, but the message should be applauded.
- Audra Schroeder, Austin Chronicle
March 18, 2005
Celluloid Eyes, on SXSW Animated Shorts Program
…This was a very nice collection. My favorite, which I think was an overall audience favorite too, was "Learn Self Defense." It is a parody of educational animated films, in which an average little man named George learns all about how to defend himself. After the first lesson, you start realizing that there's a reason why this character is named George, and that many of these lessons seem to be directed at another George we all know. The director, Chris Harding, was in attendance and he said that there are in fact people who don't make the connection between the main character and certain political figures. But this Austin audience got it and loved it. …Jette, Celluloid EyesMarch 14, 2005Hybrid Magazine, on SXSW Animated Shorts ProgramAnimated Shorts, o light of my life! Fire of my… No wait, that’s Lolita. Well anyway, the program of animated short films is always a festival treat and this year was no exception. Highlights include Tatia Rosenthal’s A Buck’s Worth, a talky, thoughty stop-motion film about a homeless man and a business man who meet on the street; the political hilarity of Chris Harding’s Learn Self Defense; and Backseat Bingo, Liz Blazer’s documentary about the sex lives of octogenarians.
-Roxanne Bogucka, Hybrid Magazine
March 13, 2005
IndieWIRE, on upcoming Florida Film Festival
…The festival also includes 27 narrative competition shorts, 10 documentary competition shorts, and 14 animated competition shorts. Highlights include "The Old Man and Hemingway" directed by Hugo Perez; "Learn Self Defense," directed by Chris Harding; and the North American premiere of "The Intervention," directed by Jay Duplass, winner of a Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival last month…
- Shilpa Mankikar, indieWIRE
March 17, 2005
AltText, recap of SXSW and Animated Shorts Program
…I particularly liked: Learn Self Defense by Chris Harding, Binge and Purge by Ben MeinHardt, Awaken by Joey Ingram & Josh Mahan, Convenience by Ryan Kirkwood and my favorite Orpheus & the Underworld…
- Ben Edwards, AltText
March 17, 2005
If you're into reading quasi-monthly publications about design, check out the March issue of "Rough," put out by the Dallas Society of Visual Communication. In it, you will find an ignorant, rambling, incoherent diatribe by Chris Harding about big budget animation.
Aaron Simpson has a great Flash and 2D animation news site called Cold Hard Flash.
Everyone loves to talk about himself, and this week Chris Harding did an interview with Aaron.
Also watch for Aaron's upcoming show on KidsWB called "Coconut Fred's Fruit Salad"
