In the Alaskan wilderness sits a small hut. You'd never
know to look at it that inside that hut, an animated film
was springing forth from imagination.
The story of Timothy Albee's quest to make a film on his
own in 6 months is already quite well known in artistic
circles. Many who want to make their own films are looking
to Albee and wondering if they might follow the ex-Disney
animator's example. As far as Albee is concerned, those
who love animation should absolutely follow, and he voices
the sentiment in evangelistic tones.
But regardless of whoever else may or may not follow him,
Albee has brought his dream to life. It is called "Kaze:
Ghost Warrior", and the film has a lot of appeal. An
Asian-inspired tale of warriors and revenge, it is visually
striking, set in wondrous places bejewelled in Japanese
splendor.
One man, two computers, 6 months. That was the challenge
Timothy Albee set himself. Check out Kaze, Ghost Warrior,
and I think you'll find that he has succeeded in not only
adding an interesting film to the culture, but in identifying
a new production methodology along the way.
CLICK
TO GO TO THE KAZE, GHOST WARRIOR WEBSITE
"When
it really comes right down to it, we are the modern "Bards."
We've replaced the lap harp and tankard of mead with many
and various tools to ever more clearly craft in the minds
of the viewers, the stories for which we hold dear to ourselves.
More than anything else, you need to be true to the stories
that you, yourself, have always wanted to have been told.
These are the stories that you can best bring to light to
others. You know the angles from which you wish to explore
those worlds and characters better than anyone else ever
could. And because of that, stories told from that impetus
will be far more "real," far more powerful, far
more impactful to the audiences than any other.
I believe it was Milt Kahl that said that if, when you're
working on a character, you find yourself wanting to either
be, or be with, that character, you're doing something right.
Audiences see, and feel how we feel about our individual
scenes as we created them. They see and feel this right
through the work itself. And though they may not be consciously
aware of that fact, it nonetheless powerfully affects their
perception of the film as a whole.
Making "Kaze, Ghost Warrior" in six months of
production, on two home computers, for $5,000 (US), was,
most definitely, a challenge. But it was also one of the
most beautiful times I've known in this life.
Why was it done by one person, solo?
It was done in this manner, so that other Dreamers who also
feel their stories burning within them to be told, who may
only have access to similarly limited resources, can know,
beyond the shadow of any doubt, that creating their vision
to the level of quality it demands, is completely possible.
"Kaze, Ghost Warrior," shows that this can
be done. It shows that if you are dedicated to learning
what needs to be learned, and doing what needs to be done,
that by "showing up at the page," you will eventually
see your Dream realized.
The stories of Kaze are very dear to me. And there is nothing
more powerful than sitting in the back of a theatre, hearing
the absolute silence as others connect with the story being
told. The held breath, exhaled as one as the credits begin
to roll... We, as filmmakers, do this for "them,"
as much as we do this for ourselves.
Would I recommend others to dive into doing whatever it
takes to make their own stories? You bet your ASCII!
It's like the Peace Corps: It's the toughest job you'll
ever love!"
