This Week on NFB.ca : Are you talking to me? An exploration of communication.

Director’s Notes : The Origins of Caterpillarplasty

Communication through Animation: An exploration in 5 films

Communication is essential in any modern civilization. Without the ability to talk to each other, exchange information and ideas, we would be living in complete chaos. Or in complete isolation.

Interestingly enough, even though most of us have the tools we need to communicate effectively, many of us just don’t. We keep our thoughts to ourselves, we avoid conflict or awkward situations, we let things build until it becomes overwhelming. All instead of simply speaking our mind.

Humans are funny.

The following five films offer a look at different facets of communication through the lens of animation. Animation lends an ability to either exaggerate or scale down the images in order to better focus on the story and its message in a way that works well for us here.

I hope these films speak to you.

Impromptu

On its face, this 2013 animated short by Bruce Alcock is about how one man’s plans for a simple dinner for two got sidelined when his wife brought home a slew of people. But for me, this film was always more tragic than jovial. All I see is a man who desperately needs to connect with his wife, but she’s either oblivious, or aware and avoiding him.

Yes, there’s music and food and conversation, yet so much goes unsaid between our two protagonists. I guess it’s a film about the loss of communication. There is such a clear divide between these two you become instantly invested in the outcome. It’s a lovely film, sparse in its aesthetic yet moving as all hell.

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Elbow Room

Communication is always important for healthy relationships, and one place that’s particularly evident is in the workplace. This is doubly true with current trends favouring shared working spaces over individual offices.

It’s easy to get on someone’s nerves, and vice versa, when you’re sharing an area so confined that you’re literally bumping elbows. When you don’t communicate properly with your co-worker, whether verbally or non-verbally, things can escalate quickly.

This film, which was produced as part of the Showpiece collection, uses animation to show viewers how to navigate conflict resolution in the workplace. It’s aimed at a younger crowd, but we can all certainly learn a thing or two from it.

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Invasion of the Space Lobsters

So, remember when I said that communication often relies on a common, shared language? This animated short from Janet Perlman shows what can happen when that’s not an option.

When a UFO full of giant lobsters from space arrives on earth, the entire neighbourhood is at a loss for why they’re here. While they’re clearly an advanced race, there seems to be no way to communicate with them without a common language. Theories abound, panic ensues, and, well, you’ve seen enough movies to know how this goes.

It’s a fun film, in part due to its 50’s B-movie feel. It also effectively shows us the value of communication.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2xDDfJJ

I Want a Dog

Well here’s someone who knows exactly how to get her message across.

In this animated short from Sheldon Cohen, young May proves her ability to communicate effectively through her drawn-out campaign to – you guessed it – get a dog. She uses words (pleading with her parents), she uses non-verbal cues (posters and pictures plastering her walls), and she even communicates through her actions (demonstrating her ability to care for a “pet”).

I love this film, despite the fact the song will stick with you for days. It’s a tough call between this film and Blackfly on which one takes the earworm prize. But regardless, it’s a great film, kids adore it, and it teaches the value of good skills.

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Big Mouth

So, riddle me this – is it possible to have too much communication?

This short film from Andrea Dorfman asks that exact question. Trudy, a young girl, is bright and articulate, but she often says too much. She speaks the truth as she sees it, and while she certainly knows how to express herself, she often comes across as rude.

What to do in a situation like this? Should Trudy be true to herself and speak her mind, or apply a social filter in order to better fit in with the world around her? So few people actually say what they mean that Trudy actually comes across as refreshing. Yet…

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The post Communication through Animation: An exploration in 5 films appeared first on NFB Blog.

Communication through Animation: An exploration in 5 films posted first on http://film-streamingsweb.blogspot.com

Last week on NFB.ca: Take a ride with 5 films on transportation

World car-free day: Mobility in the developing world

Chances are, when someone tells you they’ve moved to a new house or apartment, the first thing you’ll ask them about is their commute. In Canada (like elsewhere in the industrialized world) we are obsessed with just how long it takes to get to our places of work. Do we travel by commuter train or public bus, or is it simply easier to take our car and face brutal traffic twice a day?

September 22 is World Car-Free Day, so I thought it would be a great occasion to present to you the NFB doc Mobility, which takes a look at public transit in the urban centres of several developing countries. Although it was produced in 1986, it’s an excellent introduction to the problems and solutions of transportation in the developing world. If you thought your commute was difficult, wait until you see how challenging it is in some of these cities. (Actually, many of them have come up with innovative solutions to their transportation needs.)

In Canada, we have very efficient transit systems (regardless of what many people will tell you). They fall into three categories: commuter trains, metro systems and buses. These are well-oiled systems with precise schedules and large fleets. They’re also very expensive and require large government subsidies to run efficiently.

But what about countries where there’s very little money to spare? Where purchasing a bus ticket is beyond the means of most people? They must come up with inventive solutions to be able to serve the poorest people (who need the services the most).

Solution 1: Mini buses

In Nairobi, the public system is simply too expensive for the average person (and there are not enough buses). It was created by the British to serve a small, white, middle-class population—unfortunately not the people who needed it most. It took resourceful local business people to realize that mini-buses (called matatus) were the solution. They charge minimal fares and their routes are flexible. That flexibility is the key. They can get the poor from the outlying areas to the city proper quickly and for only a small fee. The matatus are also built in Nairobi, providing work for the local population.

Solution 2: A huge fleet of buses

In Mumbai, size is the only way to go. As the film notes, some 2,300 buses service the city’s eight million inhabitants (now 12 million). The efficiency of the bus system is vital in preventing the city from descending into chaos. A training school in Mumbai ensures that the fleet is well maintained, as a lack of buses on the road would mean delays and gridlock. The system is very efficient, with as many as 93% of its buses rolling on any given day. There are also 900 trains per day going through Mumbai’s British-built Victoria terminus, moving an astounding two million passengers every 24 hours! Clearly this is a city that needs to be as organized as possible to keep functioning.

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Solution 3: Dedicated bus lanes

Five thousand buses (the third-largest fleet in the world) service the city of Bangkok, which also makes very efficient use of motorcycles, ferry boats and auto-rickshaws (called tuk-tuks) to move people around in the oppressive heat and humidity. There are a growing number of cars on the road, which does not bode well for the city. Exclusive bus lanes have been created in an effort to alleviate traffic (which is like nothing I’ve ever seen before). If the growing middle class keep buying cars, the city will have to find other creative ways to get people around.

Porto Alegre, Brazil, is another city that has implemented exclusive bus lanes, especially in its downtown core, tremendously improving the efficiency of the service. In this case, there are several bus companies that work together to keep things running.

Solution 4: Keep it simple

Trivandrum, located in Kerala in the south of India, also uses auto-rickshaws to get people around. They don’t take up much room and can transport commuters quickly and cheaply. The city planners also take the needs of the poor into consideration before making any changes. Instead of having the poor run all over the city to access services, they’re brought to the areas in which the poor live.

As Mobility points out, the intentions of industrialized countries are often noble. They truly want to help those in the developing world, but too often it’s to sell them a mode of transport that’s not adapted to the needs of the people. The film points out that the World Bank doesn’t put a high priority on metro systems. They are ridiculously expensive to build and maintain, and their routes cannot be changed. Instead, simple and flexible modes of transport are encouraged. From walking to cycling to auto-rickshaws, the key is to use the mode that’s best suited to the needs of the people. Buses and rail systems have their uses, but it’s often better to keep it simple.

I invite you to watch this fascinating film. At the very least it will make you appreciate our modern transit systems. And it might even get you to think differently about how you get around.

 

Enjoy the film.

The post World car-free day: Mobility in the developing world appeared first on NFB Blog.

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Hurricanes, Debris, and the healing power of art

Meet the 4 Artists Who Are Reimagining Quebec

ResumeGenius: The World’s Smartest Resume Builder

ResumeGenius helps you build a resume in under 15 minutes.

Get Hired Faster

A strong resume is, unsurprisingly, one of the most important elements in obtaining an interview for a new job. Without significant knowledge of how to best format a document in Word or another word processing software, however, it can be difficult to make even the strongest resume look good. Many employers traditionally only glance at resumes in their seemingly endless stacks, scanning them for relevant information before moving on to the next. Some companies now even use technology to put resumes containing SEO-like keywords to the top of the pile. ResumeGenius is aware of all of these hurdles facing job-seekers, and has built a platform that makes it incredibly simple to craft a compelling-looking document to send out to potential employers. The site even encourages the inclusion of keywords, and has prewritten job descriptions that you can use or alter to fit your employment history.

Quick, Easy Customization

ResumeGenius lets you enter all of your relevant information—name, address, email, phone number, employment history, education, skills, etc.—into its system. You can then choose from a variety of different pre-made templates. The site automatically sorts your information into this new look, and you can preview several different styles of resume before choosing your favorite option. The site includes resume templates ranging from the most simple and traditional to more colorful and creative. Whatever works for you and the position you’re applying for, ResumeGenius probably has it. The lone downside of ResumeGenius is that it does cost money, but it’s a relatively low price to pay for a good-looking resume. For just a few dollars, you can download your resume in multiple formats, send them off to your prospective employers, and hopefully get some responses back.

ResumeGenius: The World’s Smartest Resume Builder posted first on http://film-streamingsweb.blogspot.com

Baby Bookie: Have Fun Guessing Baby’s Arrival Date

Baby Bookie lets expecting parents and their friends and family guess the baby’s arrival date together.

Bet On Babies

First time parents are typically given a due date that their babies are expected to arrive, but anyone who’s had a child will tell you that that date tends to be inaccurate. The arrival of a baby is an exciting, joyous occasion. Why not turn it into a betting game, too? That’s the premise behind Baby Bookie, a hilariously-named site that offers a unique spin on baby announcement by getting people to bet on when a newborn will actually arrive. I first learned about the site when my brother-in-law set up a pool for our family and friends, who each have taken turns guessing the date when the baby will arrive.

Unique Newborn Baby Announcements

Baby Bookie makes it easy to set up a pool and send out invites. It’s technically a gambling website, but the exchange of money is kept offline. The platform does, however, make it easy to indicate where people who sign up for the pool should Venmo their payment. The baby’s arrival, of course, is the real priceless moment. Baby Bookie also lets people guess the baby’s gender, height and weight, giving averages for the typical newborn. When the baby finally does arrive, everyone who signs up for the pool gets an announcement. The site calculates and declares a winner, although, again, the new parents and everyone who loves their baby technically all become winners at that moment. If you or someone you know is expecting a child, Baby Bookie is a fun way to build excitement for the delivery day and a clever way to send out an announcement.

Baby Bookie: Have Fun Guessing Baby’s Arrival Date posted first on http://film-streamingsweb.blogspot.com

Last Week on NFB.ca: The NFB at TIFF, Part 2

Another edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is coming to a close. Once again, there were some incredible films, some great animation, and a whole heap of celebrities.

To continue with last week’s theme, we once again programmed a selection of past TIFF favourites from our collection.  This is a stellar selection, and it includes two of my all-time favourite NFB films. Enjoy!

Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance

This is Alanis Obomsawin’s seminal film on the 1990 Oka Crisis, a violent stand-off between protestors, the Quebec police, and the Canadian army. It’s a film that’s been seen around the world, and we’ve featured it and talked about it so many times it’s hard to imagine there’s someone who may not have seen it. But if you haven’t seen it, watch it. This is filmmaking at its finest, with Obomsawin spending 78 days filming behind the Mohawk lines. At TIFF, it was the first documentary to ever win the Best Canadian Feature Award.

Obomsawin’s other TIFF appearances include Is the Crown at War with Us?, Gene Boy Came Home, My Name is Kahentiiosta, among others.

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When the Day Breaks

This is such a beautifully sad film that somehow ends up giving us hope. It’s visually stunning, which makes it a pleasure to watch. But the story itself draws you in and stays with you for days. It’s about pig who, comfortable in her routine, one day witnesses an accidental death. The event rocks her to the core, and she must try to find solace and affirmation in the city around her.

The film won a slew of awards at festivals around the world and has the added bonus of music by Martha Wainwright.

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Totem: Return of the G’Psgolox Pole

This film may have been made in 2003, but it tackles a subject very much in the spotlight today – cultural artefacts sitting in museums where they don’t belong. It’s one thing when a museum acquires a painting or sculpture, but when it comes to cultural items, we need to pay attention to where they came from, and how they got here.

Gil Cardinal documents the stories of the Haisla people who were trying to reclaim an heirloom, a mortuary totem pole that had been taken years ago. The pole was discovered in a Stockholm museum after 60 years of being MIA. The Swedish government considered it theirs. Fun fact: When the film aired on Swedish television, the country’s population put pressure on the government to return the pole, which they eventually did.

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Lipsett Diaries

Leave it to animator Theordore Ushev to create a tribute to Arthur Lipsett that Lipsett probably would have loved. Lipsett was an experimental filmmaker who worked with the NFB, mostly in the 1960s. He was troubled, to say the least. As a young boy, he had witnessed his mother’s suicide. But despite a rough start, he did well in school and went on to make groundbreaking films.

Ushev used images and sounds from Lipsett’s own work, blending it with his own animation. The soundtrack, the pace – everything contributes to the descent into depression and madness that Lipsett endured. This is no light fare, but it’s well worth the watch. Ushev went back to TIFF a couple of years later with Gloria Victoria.

oehttps://https://ift.tt/2NJjYA1

Stories We Tell 

How I adore this movie. I jump at the chance to include it in a post whenever possible. I first saw the film at the same time that I was taking a storytelling workshop. I remember thinking, “Well, we learned about a lot of ways to tell stories, but we never learned that.”

This film is brilliant. Whether you’re a fan of Sarah Polley or not (and hoo-boy, I am), you can still watch this movie and recognize the genius that went into making it. It’s one of those rare films that make you rethink the way you see things. At its core, it’s about trying to uncover past family secrets, but that’s hard to do when you’re from a family full of storytellers.

Just a year before, Polley’s film Take This Waltz was at TIFF 2011.

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When The Day Breaks | Clip

Revisit the acclaimed short by Oscar® nominees Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby about the fragility of life and the links that connect our urban lives. When the Day Breaks – Amanda Forbis & Wendy Tilby (1999 | 9 min) → http://bit.ly/2rq9Uzu Screened at #TIFF back in 1999.

Posted by NFB on Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Totem: The Return of the G'psgolox Pole | Clip

Discover the lengths that the Haisla of Kitamaat Village, BC, went to reclaim a cultural heirloom stolen from them in 1929.Totem: The Return of the G'psgolox Pole – Gil Cardinal (2003 | 1 h 10 min) → https://bit.ly/2Qpou55 Featured at #TIFF 2003

Posted by NFB on Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Lipsett Diaries | Clip

Explore the anguish suffered by experimental filmmaker Arthur Lipsett with this animated short. Using Lipsett's own images and sounds, Theodore Ushev sheds light on the famed artist's descent into depression and madness. Lipsett Diaries – Theodore Ushev (2010 | 14 min) → https://bit.ly/2p4waNG One of #TIFF10's top ten Canadian films of the year!

Posted by NFB on Thursday, September 13, 2018

Stories We Tell | Clip

Every family has a story they tell, and a story don't. But which is the true story?Watch as Oscar®-nominee Sarah Polley paints a touching and intriguing portrait of a complex network of relatives, friends, and strangers all united by a seemingly contradictory tale. Stories We Tell – Sarah Polley (2012 | 1 h 48 min) → https://bit.ly/2CPZ6mt A #TIFF12 top ten feature film and special presentation.

Posted by NFB on Friday, September 14, 2018

Animal Behaviour | Filmmaking at Home

When creating, always make room for the important things like tea breaks, the sunset and your cat. Meet the Oscar®-winning team of Alison Snowden and David Fine as they discuss working from home.Don't miss their latest work, Animal Behaviour, at TIFF Short Cuts Programme 7 → http://bit.ly/TIFF18-AB

Posted by NFB on Tuesday, September 11, 2018

 

The post Last Week on NFB.ca: The NFB at TIFF, Part 2 appeared first on NFB Blog.

Last Week on NFB.ca: The NFB at TIFF, Part 2 posted first on http://film-streamingsweb.blogspot.com

Now Online: Watch Ride, a portrait of a future rodeo champion

Instalist: The Most Instagrammable Places

Instalist helps you find the most Instagrammable places around the world.

A New Perspective On Classic Places

If you’ve ever navigated the murky waters of the LA dating app pool, you’re a brave soul. You’ve also probably come across a picture of someone standing in front of the light posts outside LACMA. The art installation has become one of Los Angeles’s most Instagrammed locations. Although you won’t find those lights on Instalist, you will find an awesome collection of some of the most commonly Instagrammed places around the globe. The site almost serves as a user-generated Google Images, returning a list of amateur-shot photographs that have been posted publicly on Instagram. All the site does is link directly to Instagram, sorted by tag of a particular location. But it provides a new perspective of famous locations like Big Ben when you look at it through the lens of the thousands who have posted pictures from there.

Explore The World Through The Gram

Instalist also offers a great way to explore interesting places around the globe. The site lets you sort by country (not all countries are available) in order to find unique locations, like Bali’s Tanah Lot Temple. Perhaps some may even find the inspiration to someday visit those locations themselves, just to snap a pic for the gram. Although Instalist is currently well-curated, they also transparently solicit paid advertisements to appear on the list. It costs $9/week to promote an individual account, and $29/week to promote a business. Of course, not every location on Instalist is a paid ad, and there’s tons of great content to explore.

Instalist: The Most Instagrammable Places posted first on http://film-streamingsweb.blogspot.com