Home, sweet home.

Well,
it has been a fantastic trip. Hearing Cilia's teachings, correcting the participants, discovering a new world. I have no regrets. I have learned, I have met interesting people.

Thanks to everyone who made it possible!

:)

Medase, Ghana.

It has been three weeks. At the beginning, time seemed to pass rather slowly. Adapting to the environment, the people and their lifestyle and getting acquainted with the new flavors of the local food...It was a learning process that required time and energy. And yet, now that we have to pack our suitcases, we look back on the 20 days with some regret. At least, I do.

The experience has been enriching and fulfilling. Yesterday, as Cilia, Sam and myself took a cab to do one last city tour (at night!), the streets flew past us through the windows and it finally dawned on me that I wouldn't be seeing that red soil again, or any of the little sweets/phone cards/coconuts/peeled oranges stands on the border of the sidewalk. Yes, it will probably be refreshing to breathe in some clean air (gas and pollution fragrances not being the most appealing of scents). But the whole immersion into this world was definitely one of a kind.

The festival is drawing to a close. We had the opportunity to meet several interesting people from different corners of the planet. It felt strange but somehow familiar to be around them. Animation was the reason everybody came together and it was a refreshing feeling.

From left to right: Richard, Ralitsa, myself and Mirto

Once we step on the tarmac that will lead us home, I'm sure a rush of memories will take over before flying above the red and green land we’ve got to visit. There are so many things we haven’t been able to see, but for the things we did see, it was all worth it.

Medase, Ghana. Thank you for all the discoveries.

Now, I only wait for the moment where I can read these words : Welcome to Montreal.

Akwaaba!

Sunday, the excitement of Bojo Beach

Francis, Marie-An George Sam and myself went to Bojo Beach, an hour out of Accra. A new guest has arrived for the festival, Mirto Laclé from Aruba.

He joined us for this great out door activity.

Francis worked again with passion on his stop motion short.

Saturday

After the big relief of finishing all films that were in the run, we spent a quiet Saturday.



Saturday was a day of partial rest and partial work. Francis worked mainly on his puppet film. This project promises to become a very original piece. After purchasing motorcycles that were created in the junk art fashion, he build himself his little character that would ride the motorcylces. Like usually, he was very innovative. He went to shoot in several remote areas in town, choosing his locations carefully.



I worked a bit on the student films, preparing visuals and downloading sound effects and sounds from the internet.

Malari-An

We are starting to worry about Marie-An,

it seem she has side effects that might be related to malaria...

Have a look

Dont worry, she is very well!

;)

Camera, lights, action!

Today was a very busy day for me.

Since I finished building my characters yesterday night, I was able to continue my animatic and start the shooting of my film!

Fortunately, I had the help of the generous Georges and of Ralitsa and we completed quite a few shots. I cant wait to see how it will come up on screen, I will capture it later today.

We finished the day in beauty and had pizza with Cilia and Marie-An. Hooray.

Its getting exciting.

:)

last day of workshop : THANK YOU ALL

Friday was our last workshop day. To my amazement, all projects came to and end. We managed to finalize all 8 animated shorts.

The films were transferred onto the computer of Francis for post production. We also met with a musician who will compose music for all of them during the week end.

Marie An was looking for free sounds on the internet.

Frank George and Edward had been recording original sounds with and for participants as the films came in one by one.

Sam himself started sound work with Michel, breaking away from his busy schedule as a festival director

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP, SUPPORT AND INPUT.

( Sam and Yuri)

SPECIAL TRIPUTE TO FRANCIS

BUT THE ONE WHO IS MOST TO THANK is FRANCIS who worked thirelessly with all productions during the last few days, making sure that each film was transferred, revised, reformatted and edited properly.

His technical and artistic input was and is priceless. His dedication to all projects was unlimited!!!! THANK YOU.

MERCI FRANCIS POUR TON IMPLICATION SANS RESERVE ET TA SUPER BONNE HUMEUR.