Hothouse

A little update for you fine folks:
We have just finished the Hothouse 5 mini-documentary, Six: Inside Hothouse 5, directed by filmmaker, composer, writer and all-around wonder, Carrie Haber. It will be launched here and the DVD compilation for Hothouse 5 will be ready for purchase shortly after, at the NFB store.

We’ve been getting lots of calls and emails from people asking about the next Hothouse (keep them coming, we love hearing from you!). The dates for Hothouse 6 are not yet confirmed but will likely be in the new year: 2010. We’ll keep you posted.

Heads up Saskatchewanians: you’re in for a strange and wonderful treat! Brandon Blommaert’s film, Batmilk, is screening in competition at the Yorkton Short Film & Video Festival (May 21 – 24).

Sylvie Trouvé’s film, Orange, has been selected as part of the out-of-competition shorts category at Annecy!

Out of 748 shorts submitted to the festival this year, there are 40 selections in competition and 40 out of competition. Tough odds so big congrats to you Sylvie!

I missed the cue on this by a few days but Phil’s Git Gob was featured last friday on the fantastic illustration/cartooning blog Drawn!.

Let the unveiling begin! Watch all 6 films made in this year’s program on the Hothouse 5 Playlist. You can start with Sylvie’s film, Orange, featured on the NFB blog:

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It’s hard to believe but 84 days have come and gone. Amidst joy and jubilation there were fears and frustrations. Despite blow-ups and burn-outs there was pie and ping pong. And six amazing accomplishments have come out the other end!

The Hothouse 5 films will be posted here soon, so stay tuned.

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Brandon shows off the artwork that has spewed out of him.

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Philip recorded voices for his characters at home using modest means but wanted to do some subtle re-recording in the NFB sound studio.

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Sylvie’s doing pick-up time-lapse shots as her collages develop, which carries her shoot into falling temperatures. Carrie Haber, director of the in-progress Inside Hothouse 5 mini-doc catches up on one of Sylvie’s high-tech shoots to talk about art and industry.

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How do you survive this?

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Philip’s reflects on the Hothouse process and what he wants for his film.

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After a difficult progress review Jim has some time to step back and re-examine his direction.

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Brandon has dark secrets.

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Jim reinvents Picture Lock to support the close link between sound and image in his film. But how will he meet any deadline with all the scratching at the door?!

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Phil shows us around his studio. But not before sharing a little something special first…

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It’s late morning and Sylvie’s found buried under piles of photos which she must gather into a coherent animatic that conveys the concept of her film. Her story relies on finding connections within and between shots which she can then play with to bring the city to life. But so many photos!

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In just a few weeks Sara has had to learn animation, timing, sequencing, compositing, mise-en-scène, editing, story arc, cause-and-effect…all in order to create a convincing world where her characters get to “just have fun”.