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ANIMATION WORLD MAGAZINE - ISSUE 4.6 - SEPTEMBER 1999
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Building A New British Empire - A Tribute to Clare
Kitson
My first contact with Clare was in 1981. She
cajoled me into cobbling together the rushes of the Babel Fish sequence
from The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, so that she could
include it in that year's London Film Festival. We were due to do
a second series, and decided that this time we might try to actually
use a computer. £75,000 of investment suddenly became very dodgy
when the series was pulled two weeks before the start. At the end
of that year Clare again convinced me it was worth assembling some
very early computer generated material, which she again included
in the London Film Festival. In subsequent years she didn't give up,
but my path led away from the entertainment side of the business and
my output was less and less appropriate. Since that time we have had
no contact, but I always felt grateful for the encouragement and watched
with interest as she took on the Animation Festival, and then moved
on to Channel 4. I have no doubt that she has been largely responsible
for the revitalisation of the industry in the last decade -- at least
in the UK, and particularly in London -- making it an internationally
respected centre of creativity. She has done on a much bigger scale
and for many more people what she did for me 18 years ago. Thank you
Clare, both on a personal level, and for what you've achieved for
the industry. I wish you the very best for the future. We would like to express our appreciation of
the enormous contribution that Clare has made to the world of animation,
not only through her work at Channel 4 Television, but throughout
her career. Her understanding, her encouragement and her breadth of
vision have raised the level of animation production in the UK to
new heights. While at Channel 4 her remarkable initiative with the
Animate! Scheme (in association with the Arts Council) and the Channel
4/MOMI Animators in Residence programme has given artistic opportunities
to aspiring filmmakers which otherwise would never have existed. We send our warmest wishes for her future in whatever she undertakes next. Pat Raine Webb & Margot Grimwood I've been lucky enough to work on three films
with Clare (Screen Play, Achilles, and Gilbert &
Sullivan) -- and I say `with' rather than `for,' as with Clare
it really was a collaboration. We've had some great conversations
about the films and their subjects, and some wonderfully healthy disagreements,
all of which I shall miss very much. It's been so good to have had
someone with such honesty and such considered opinions, but even better
to have had someone pushing and fighting for films that would otherwise
not have been made. I particularly owe Clare, the animators' oasis
in the cultural desert of television (there's a soundbite!), a huge
thanks. Even if the work association is over, I look forward to more
theatre trips, or more sitting in mountain spas, or more breakfasts
over looking the sea. Thanks to Clare, and Channel 4, I've made some
films that have given me marvellous rewards and some very colourful
photo albums. On behalf of the International Animated Film
Centre I would like to pay tribute to Clare Kitson for everything
that she has done for personal animation films. The Annecy Festival
has always tried to create the right conditions so that animated filmmakers
can further their art and make their own films. We greatly appreciate
the work of decision makers like Clare in a sector which is undergoing
constant change and becoming increasingly important. Clare, I want the world to know how significant your work has been. You have made an immeasurable impact on us all with your work in animation. You are responsible for an astonishing number of commissions resulting in some of the most profound films in animation history. The care you have given in selecting new and diverse directors is a gift. I am honored to have known you for most of your career at Channel 4 and applaud you on the wealth of your accomplishments. You are truly an inspiration to me as a producer; I will continue to aspire to your greatness and hope others can see the creative possibilities you have shown us. Thank you for your devotion. I look forward to see what wonderful new accomplishments your future holds. My best wishes for you and your family. Very truly yours, Being a commissioning editor for Channel 4
Animation is no easy task. Reconciling as it does a long-winded, costly
and sometimes lunatic activity with a television network that is for
the most part serving up inexpensive, sometimes excellent, instant
gratification. For ten turbulent years Clare Kitson has performed
this task with consummate skill, placing Channel 4 funding with the
best animation directors, and earning Channel 4 a world reputation
for excellence. Small wonder near panic broke out in the wonderful
world of animation when the news of her departure was announced.
I always like to think that animation people
are much more gentle and congenial than live-action film makers. So
we were lucky that Channel 4 appointed Clare Kitson to look after
us. Sadly she's leaving Channel 4 after 11 amazing years in which
she has helped British Animation achieve world recognition. Clare
has proved to be a marvellous advocate for the industry and I'm sure
we are all going to miss her. Personally she's high on my 'Favourite
Persons' list. |
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Note: Readers may contact any Animation World Magazine contributor by sending an e-mail to editor@awn.com.
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