Linklater on A Scanner Darkly
Filed under: Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Thrillers, Mystery & Suspense, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand
As evidenced by its constantly-moving release date (from September 2005, to March
31, 2006, to the current target of July 7, 2006), there have been a lot of problems with the practical side of
Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly. Because the internet exists and leaks occur,
there have been copious rumors about what exactly happened behind the scenes but now, thanks to an article in this
month's Wired, we don't have to guess any more. Robert La Franco's fascinating piece, written with the participation of Linklater, is a chronological examination of the excruciating process of finishing the film. Though the shoot took only six weeks in May and June of 2004, the animation phase has been endless and fraught with conflict. With crises ranging from animators who took months to learn to use the rotoscoping program to others with no experience whatsoever and, ultimately, an usurped lead animator and changed studio locks, the experience comes across as an absolute nightmare. And, though Linklater idealistically hopes that Scanner "will be the first of a new wave of animated feature films made specifically for adults," he simultaneously calls making an animated film "torture," and vows never to do it again. Gee, with recommendations like these, how can American, adult animation fail to take off like a rocket?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-25-2006 @ 5:18PM
Chris said...
I'm a filmmaker, and my girlfriend's an animator, and we both agree that the movie was a disaster to make due to lack of planning. What did Linklater expect when he hired a bunch of non-animators? "We really didn't know what we were getting ourselves into with this one," Linklater says (straight from the Wired article). Duh.
Later in the article: "Sabiston signed a glassblower and a photo lab technician, a comic book illustrator and a sculptor. Only a few of the original 30 or so animators had moviemaking experience." Ummm, you expected to make a groundbreaking animated film with a glassblower? Huh? come on, even first year film students know better than that. The funny thing is, his view of animation - and now i'm sure many others' - is tainted because of his own stupidity? After this revelation, Linklater has dropped several rungs in my book of good filmmakers.
All I have to say is...duh.
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2-25-2006 @ 8:08PM
Steve said...
And, though Linklater idealistically hopes that Scanner "will be the first of a new wave of animated feature films made specifically for adults," he simultaneously calls making an animated film "torture," and vows never to do it again. Gee, with recommendations like these, how can American, adult animation fail to take off like a rocket?
...Since when are "I had a terrible time making this movie" and "I hope this is well received and maybe even influential" incompatible statements?
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2-27-2006 @ 9:10PM
Rob O'Daniel said...
Right on, Steve. As I recall, Spielberg had nothing but trouble in the making of Jaws and was nearly shut down a number of times.
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