Channel Frederator Blog

“The Dragon’s Claw”, directed and animated by Robert Bruce, featuring music by Justice of the Unicorns, won Best Animated Music Video at Animation Block Party 2009. And also, sad little animals-turned-ipods.

Where did you study animation/filmmaking?

Robert Bruce: I studied filmmaking at Binghamton University which focuses mainly on experimental film. I started teaching myself how to animate a few years ago just by reading tons of books and analyzing my favorite animated movies frame by frame.

What are your favorite films?

RB: I’m currently a bit obsessed with Samurai films, Spaghetti Westerns, and Film Noir. They usually have such wonderfully complex characters. I guess a few of my favorites are “Hara-kiri”, “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”, and “Touch of Evil”.

What gave you the idea for “The Dragon’s Claw”?

RB: To be honest, I don’t really know. I just listened to the song on a loop and began making a rough animatic. It was a bit of a controlled stream of consciousness, but I still wanted to keep a narrative structure. I really didn’t know where the story was going to go until I finished it.

Are you working on anything new that you can tell us about?

RB: I started writing a new script for a short. Although I really enjoyed the free style of “The Dragon’s Claw”, I wanted my next project to be more heavily constructed. I guess I’m going to try to learn the rules this time. Maybe I’ll even make an X-Sheet.

If you could have your own woodland creature appliance, what would it be? I’m thinking a bunny can opener…

RB: A bunny can opener would be pretty great, but perhaps a bit messy. I wish I had a puppy alarm clock that would lick my face when its time to get up. But I think they make those already… They’re called puppies.

Aw, you’re right. Too late to patent it, now. Thanks for the interview, Robert!

You can watch “The Dragon’s Claw” right here on Channel Frederator.

-Bailee DesRocher