How strange to complete a new film just as the Covid-19 pandemic started. Many film festivals have cancelled but a few are bravely going online. The 2020 Annecy International Animation Festival is currently screening online and the three programs I have seen (Masterclass with Henry Selick and Bruno Coulais, Short Films in Competition Programs 1 and 2) were wonderful. Business closures have caused problems for everyone. I need to fix my sound mix for Jung & Restless but the wonderful Clatter and Din Studio in Seattle is closed.
Most commercial and indie animation projects have continued production during the pandemic because so many people can work at home. My husband, Paul Harrod, is the production designer on Henry Sellick’s new stop motion feature, Wendell and Wild. Paul and his team have worked a regular schedule since home quarantine started here on March 14, 2020. I have been doing animation experiments and hope they will coalesce into a film. We are trying to make the best of this predicament. Who knew this is what cocktail parties would look like in 2020?
We have hosted a small Quarantine Cocktail Party every month of the pandemic. It has been lovely to check in with a few dear friends. Boy howdy, how I miss them and all of our wonderful friends, especially my 97 year old mother-in law. She is handling the crisis with grace and aplomb! I am anxious for the arrival of the Covid-19 vaccine so we can be close to our families and friends again. Wishing you the best.
