Gods & Monsters: Saving Grendel
A$10,455
of $9,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 1st Jun 2013 at 2:00AM.
HOORAY... we've reached our target... and more!
HOW INCREDIBLY AMAZING!
A massive heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to this special project so far.
We think you are absolutely incredible.
With warm & fuzzy & exciteable thanks,
Helen & Malcolm & Grendel!!
MIAF is super excited to be involved in
saving a really important
part of Australian
animation history – and you can be too!
The Grendel Fund is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to raise funds to ensure the digital preservation of Alex Stitt’s
groundbreaking animated feature ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’ (1981).
In the festival’s 13 years, this is absolutely the MOST significant and rewarding thing we’ve been able to pull off – hands down!
We quickly discovered digitising a 35mm feature is a
rather expensive process. Fortunately, the good people at one of the leading film transfer houses have
agreed to sponsor half the cost, so we’re asking for your help to raise the
remainder.
To make this happen, the campaign goal is AUS$9,000
$8,000 for 50% of the digital transfer
$400 pozible fees
$600 transaction/admin fees
If we achieve more than this
amount (which would be amazingly fantastic), we want to help ‘Grendel Grendel
Grendel’ screen beyond MIAF13.
This month long Pozible crowdfunding campaign
will end 1 June, and during MIAF13, we’ll be holding special fundraising
screenings of ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’ and Alex’s 3D feature ‘Abracadabra’ which was the very FIRST animated 3D film to be made anywhere - pretty incredible that it happened right here in Australia!!
> Grendel Grendel Grendel: Sun 30 June, 5.00pm
> Abracadabra: Thu 27 June, 6.30pm
LINKS TO VISIT & SHARE!
> www.miaf,net/2013/fundraiser
> www.grendelfund.com
Who is ALEX STITT?
Alex Stitt with Norm from the Life Be In It campaign. Picture: TANYA FRY – Mornington Peninsula Leader
Alex
Stitt is not only a celebrated designer, illustrator and animator, whose
prolific career made an unprecedented impact on Australian graphic design over
many decades (he was recently inducted into the Australian Design Institutes’
Hall of Fame) – he is a true pioneering godfather of Australian animation.
His
most iconic work, remembered for enduring characters such as Norm the Couch
Potato (see image above) and Sid the Seagull (see below), include the ‘Slip Slop Slap’ and ‘Life: Be In It’
TV community campaigns. Other notable projects include the distinctive graphics
and poster designs for the Fred Schepisi films ‘The Devil’s Playground’ (1976)
and ‘The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith’ (1978).
With
a special gift for story telling, Alex made two visually stunning animated
features – ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’ and the 3D film ‘Abracadabra’ which is a
unique form of stereoscopic 3D, and as we said already, it was the very FIRST 3D animated film to be made.
Getting
Alex to present some of these highlights at MIAF12 opened an Aladdin’s cave of
treasures we could never have dreamed of – and MIAF13 is where it all comes
together.
Firstly,
it unearthed a NEVER SCREENED pristine 35mm print of his first feature ‘Grendel
Grendel Grendel’ – so we realised pretty quickly that this was a
once-in-a-life-time opportunity to create a digital copy of this precious icon,
so it can again be screened and preserved for all time.
The
second thing that emerged from Alex’s MIAF appearance last year was a phone
call that led us to a long-lost stash of the uniquely engineered 3D glasses
required to watch his second feature ‘Abracadabra’ in the format it was
intended to be seen. This film had no public screening in Australia, so the
MIAF13 screening (complete with a souvenir pair of the special glasses called
‘Abragoggles’) is a not-to-be-missed experience.
3D Abbragoogles(!!) & Alex Stitt's beautiful hard copy book 'Autobiographics'
With
starring voice talents such as John Farnham & Jacki Weaver, 'Abracadabra' is a charming
comic fantasy inspired by the story of the Pied Piper.
GRENDEL GRENDEL GRENDEL
The FILM!
—"I'm so glad you found the genius in 'Grendel...' that I did."
Bill Plympton
'Grendel
Grendel Grendel' is a 90-minute animated feature film produced in 1981 by Alex
Stitt and broadcaster/writer/filmmaker extraordinaire
Phillip Adams. As a national treasure, Phillip
is a creative and intellectual powerhouse. He was one of the catalysts for
the rebirth of the Australian film industry in the 1970s, has been a successful
advertising executive and served on many distinguished boards during his
career. Currently he hosts the always engaging ABC radio program 'Late Night Live'where he has
interviewed thousands of the world's most influential and inspiring people.
Alex
conceived Grendel as an animated feature for adult audiences, broadly adapted
from John Gardner's novella which drew inspiration from the first episode of
the medieval epic poem Beowulf (one of the oldest poems in modern
European language, originally presented as a narrated or sung performance by
countless minstrels) - from the spotty monster’s point of view of course!
With
music by Bruce Smeaton and voice characterisations by Peter Ustinov, Keith
Michell, Arthur Dignam, Julie McKenna and others - noble heroes & gods
& dragons & monsters & haughty princes & kings & queens
& wandering minstrels & victories & revenge & songs come to
life in this beautifully conceived project.
Grendel
took 2,500 storyboard drawings, 1000 preliminary sketches, 500 layout drawings,
60000 animators' drawings, 60000 painted cels and 500 background paintings.
Dozens of animators, painters, actors, musicians and technicians realised the
film - including the very talented Frank Hellard, David Atkinson, Gus McLaren,
Ralphie Peverill, Anne Jolliffe, Maggie Geddes, David Dalgarno and John
Pollard.
You can't tell us you don't like our pack names!! We had fun grabbing them from within the Grendel Grendel Grendel story.
You can choose packs with or without screenings - as we've tried to cater for those of you who won't be able to make it to MIAF13 in Melbourne in June.
** If you are not comfortable making a payment online, please contact us at [email protected] & we'll be happy to help you make a Direct Deposit payment.
Every reward pack includes a set of these beauties (and you get a couple more Norms in the bigger packs)!
A 'You Are Awesome' thank you card, and a Norm 'Good Health' (from the wonderful 'Life Be In It' community health campaign) postcard created by Alex especially for us.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The infamous 'Abragoggles' so you can watch 'Abracadabra' the very first 3d animated film made.
Another incredibly fine collector's item available in the following: $52 ABRACADABRA PACK, $100 DRAGON PACK, $150 FANG & CLAW PACK, $250 HAUGHTY PRINCE PACK, $500 KING & QUEEN PACK & $1000 DEMIGOD PACK.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A gorgeous colour print of a ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’ rare production drawing. It will be printed on lovely art paper so all the fine colour pencil drawing strokes can be seen in their glory.
A4 print available in: $55 BEOWULF PACK, $105 MONSTER PACK, $150 FANG & CLAW PACK
A3 print available in: $155 GREEN & SPOTTY PACK, $250 HAUGHTY PRINCE PACK, $260 NOBLE HERO PACK, $500 KING & QUEEN PACK & $1000 DEMIGOD PACK.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A set of helicopter6 hand made folded A6 art cards by MIAF Manager/artist Helen Gibbins.
Included in: $155 GREEN & SPOTTY PACK, $500 KING & QUEEN PACK & $1000 DEMIGOD PACK
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Grendel Grendel Grendel book published by Penguin - now out of print and only a small number left on the planet - is very much a collector's item folks - especially when it's signed in your honour by Alex.
Includes scene by scene breakdowns, glorious stills, dialogues, and of course, the song lyrics!
Available as part of the HAUGHTY PRINCE & NOBLE HERO PACKS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
296pp, 276 x 284mm - A compilation of 50 years’ work
Only a handful of these gorgeously produced books available, and Alex will sign it in your honour.
Exclusively available in the $260 NOBLE HERO PACK which is chocoblock full of other REALLY incredible delights (including the Grendel book and an A3 print of the Grendel drawing).
This is a graphically rich and beautiful book that will remind many of us of our past and introduce others to the work of Alex Stitt, which remains as exciting and inventive as the day it left his drawing board.
— Russell Bevers FDIA
Program Director, Master of Design, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University.
Alex Stitt is high on the short list of the most talented people I've ever known.
— Phillip Adams AO
Writer, broadcaster, film producer, columnist, social commentator, pundit.
This is an extraordinary book from so many perspectives. There’s no doubt this is a major body of work of very real significance and importance for designers the world over, not just Australia.
— Simon Pemberton
Designer, Senior AGDA Member,
National Head of College—CATC Design School.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LINKS
> http://www.alexanderstitt.com/mobile/preview-autobiographics-13.html
> http://journal.animationstudies.org/dan-lienors-torre-recording-australian-animation-history/
> http://aso.gov.au/titles/features/grendel-grendel-grendel/notes/
> http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bydesign/conversation-alex-stitt/3590766
> http://mams.rmit.edu.au/o7fs3053c6wv1.pdf
> http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/phillip-adams/2913410
> http://gatherandfold.com/interviews/alexander-stitt
WE ARE...
> www.miaf.net
> www.facebook.com/animationfest
> www.twitter.com/animationfest
ONE-EYED ARTHUR PACK Special supporter thanks on MIAF website 1 x Norm postcard (artwork from the ‘Life Be In It’ campaign) created by Alex Stitt 1 x ‘YOU ARE AWESOME’ thank you card from the MIAF13 dude! (character artwork by Martinus Klemet, Estonia)
9 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 13
GRENDEL PACK (includes screening) 1 x ticket to attend Alex Stitt’s animated feature ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’ fundraiser screening on Sunday 30 June 5pm Special supporter thanks in MIAF13 catalogue + receive the One-Eyed Arthur ($25 Pack) rewards!
7 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 13
ABRACADABRA PACK (includes screening) 1 x ticket to attend Alex Stitt’s 3D animated feature ‘Abracadabra’ fundraiser screening on Thursday 27 June 6.30pm 1 x Spectacularly Super Special collectible 3D 'Abragoggles' (glasses!) to view 'Abracadabra' Special supporter thanks in MIAF13 catalogue + receive the One-Eyed Arthur ($25 Pack) rewards!
2 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 13
BEOWULF PACK (no screening included) 1 x A4 colour art print of a gorgeous ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’ rare production drawing Special supporter thanks in MIAF13 catalogue + receive the One-Eyed Arthur ($25 Pack) rewards!
10 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 13
DRAGON PACK (includes screenings) 1 x ticket to attend both Alex Stitt’s animated features: ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’ fundraiser screening Sun 30 June 5pm & ‘Abracadabra’ 3D fundraiser screening Thu 27 June 6.30pm 1 x Spectacularly Super Special collectible 3D Abragoggles to view 'Abracadabra' Your name added for all time on closing credits of DCP (digital copy to be made of ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’) Special supporter thanks in MIAF13 catalogue + receive the One-Eyed Arthur Pack rewards
7 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 13
MONSTER PACK (screenings NOT INCLUDED) 1 x A4 colour art print of a gorgeous ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’ rare production drawing Your name included for all time on closing credits of DCP (the digital copy to be made of ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’) Special supporter thanks in MIAF13 catalogue + receive the One-Eyed Arthur Pack rewards
6 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 13
FANG & CLAW PACK (includes screenings) 1 x A4 colour art print of a gorgeous ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’ rare production drawing 1 x ticket to attend both Alex Stitt’s animated features (see above for times) 1 Spectacularly Special collectible 3D Abragoggles Your name for all time on closing credits of DCP (the digital copy to be made of ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’) Special thanks in MIAF13 official catalogue + receive the One-Eyed Arthur ($25 Pack) rewards + extra Norm postcard!
3 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 13
GREEN & SPOTTY PACK (screenings NOT INCLUDED) 1 x A3 colour art print of a gorgeous ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’ rare production drawing 1 x set (3) of helicopter6 folded art cards by MIAF Manager/artsist Helen Gibbins Your name for all time on closing credits of DCP (the digital copy to be made of ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’) Special thanks in MIAF13 official catalogue + receive the One-Eyed Arthur ($25 Pack) rewards + extra Norm postcard!
2 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 13
HAUGHTY PRINCE PACK (includes screenings) 1 x ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’ collector’s book signed by Alex 1 x A3 print of a gorgeous ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’ rare production drawing 2 x tickets to attend both Alex Stitt’s animated features 2 x tickets to MIAF Opening Gala Screening 2 x collectible 3D Abragoggles to view 'Abracadabra' Name on closing credits of the digital copy to be made Special thanks in MIAF13 catalogue + receive the One-Eyed Arthur rewards + extra Norm postcard!
2 chosen / 12 available
Est. delivery is Jun 13
KING & QUEEN PACK (includes screenings) > Receive the 'GREEN & SPOTTY' PACK ($155) PLUS... 4 x tickets to attend both Alex Stitt’s animated features: ‘Grendel Grendel Grendel’ fundraiser screening Sun 30 June 5pm & ‘Abracadabra’ 3D fundraiser screening Thu 27 June 6.30pm 4 x special collectible 3D Abragoggles to view 'Abracadabra' 2 x MIAF13 Festival Passes & official catalogue
2 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 13
DEMIGOD PACK (includes screenings) You know you're the bestest of the best so we're offering an amazing pack of animated goodness to thank you!!! > Receive everything in the 'KING PACK' + be acknowledged as a supporting sponsor of MIAF13. + Your logo will be included on the MIAF13 website, official catalogue, printed program, screen slide of all sponsor logos. + Receive 2 x invitations to attend ACMI Members Only MIAF sneak peek screening
2 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 13
NOBLE HERO PACK (screenings NOT INCLUDED) 1 x signed copy of Alex’s beautiful hard cover book ‘STITT Autobiographics’ 1 x 'Grendel Grendel Grendel' collector’s book signed by Alex (out of print) 1 x A3 print of a gorgeous 'Grendel Grendel Grendel' rare production drawing 1 x collectible 3D Abragoggles Name on closing credits of digital copy Special thanks in MIAF13 catalogue + receive the One-Eyed Arthur rewards + extra Norm cards
8 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Jun 13