How could you not be a fan of Picasso animation duo, Jens and Anna, with an ambition of wanting “to be amazing at making people laugh, which is a very hard thing to do”. We catch up with the YDA-winning new directors to see what makes them click.
How did you meet and start working together in animation?
We met 13 years ago playing inmates of a lunatic asylum.
We got pretty addicted to animation while studying illustration. Being able to give your creations life that extends beyond a still image was a pretty cool moment and it just made us click.
Tell us about your background – did you go to film school or did you learn on the job?
After our BA Jens went to study directing for animation at the National Film and Television School. Anna did a Masters in Film Aesthetics at Oxford Uni, spending a wonderful year thinking and writing about film and animation.
Do you have clearly defined skill sets? How does your collaborative process work?
When we start a new project we bring together our individual likes and strengths. Anna enjoys to work with textures and handmade stuff while Jens brings in a graphical touch and a bit of 3D.
Your showreel has several styles of animation – what is your favourite form?
We love to try and mix things up a little. Infusing 3D with bits of 2D and vice versa, and pushing ourselves into slightly new territories. We don’t really have a ‘favourite’ technique, it’s very much down to what feels right for each project.
Which piece of work are you proudest of and why?
Jens: In my case it is my graduation film Cooked. Because it was a fantastic team effort. We really got the characters and the story to work, had great voice actors, and in the end we got into the official selection for the Cannes Film Festival [2010]. They were very generous with the passes so lots of the crew could join, so I have very fond memories of that piece
Anna: I’d have to say the Squirrel and the Penguin, the short film we wrote and directed for The Jewish Film Festival last year. We tackled a difficult subject (the Israel-Palestine conflict) and made a funny, playful and colourful film out of it, without, I hope, making light of the situation in any way. I also really like the way it looks!
How did you first come up with and develop the idea of Don’t Swim After Lunch?
We were exploring the concept of “journey” within an everyday context. Travelling without leaving your house.
Did you storyboard each scene in detail or was it a more spontaneous shoot?
The storyboard was actually pretty rough. One of those thumbnail messes that only makes sense to whoever drew it. However the 3D animatic was very precise so when it came to shooting we know exactly what we needed to get.
Don’t Swim After Lunch won second prize in the YDA animation category – that’s quite an accolade. Have there been any spin off attention gained from the win? Were you in Cannes for the prize-giving?
Unfortunately we could not come to the award ceremony, but even here at home we got lots of congratulations pats on the back and an amazing lunch. We recently did a piece for Royal Mail Market reach that employed a similar technique.
What was your favourite part of making the film Don’t Swim After Lunch?
It was the first time working with live action integration and tracking. Although we made tests we did not quite know if it was all going to work out in the end. It was quite a magical moment when we had the first couple of shots composited and knew that it was going to work out. Also once we added Jussi Honka’s sound design in the mix the whole ensemble came out great.
What are you working on now?
We’ve been folding papercraft monsters today. When we’re free we’re also working on a couple of quick projects trying out new ideas and techniques. There’s also a new short coming up that we hope to finish by spring next year.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given about filmmaking?
Back at Film school, we were in the cinema once waiting for a lecture when the lights went off and the THX test sound came on full blast. When the lights came back on, our lecturer Brian Tufano laughed and said: “I always wanted to do that. Remember, always give your main character a great introduction.” He had our attention after that.
What inspires you creatively? Are you movies or galleries people?
Definitely movies! But galleries are fun, too. The way we see it, there’s inspiration in everything. When we get stuck we like to just go out and walk aimlessly until we hit upon the right idea.
What would you like to be doing in five years time?
We’d like to be amazing at making people laugh, which is a very hard thing to do.
