My Dog Tulip
Encyclopedia
My Dog Tulip is an American independent animated feature film based on the 1956 memoir of the same name by J. R. Ackerley
, BBC editor, novelist and memoirist. The film tells the story of Ackerley's fifteen-year relationship with his German Shepherd
Queenie, who had had been renamed Tulip for the book. The film – geared toward an adult audience – was adapted, directed and animated by Paul Fierlinger
with backgrounds and characters painted by his wife, Sandra Fierlinger.
Christopher Plummer
narrated Ackerley's voice, Isabella Rossellini
provided the voice of the veterinarian, and Lynn Redgrave
provided the voice (in her last film performance) of Ackerley's sister Nancy.
The film premiered at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival
on June 10, 2009 http://www.annecy.org/home/index.php?Page_ID=2096&film_id=20091772&back_page=2094&code_categfilm=C5&titre=&realisateur=&PHPSESSID=857ffa0f96551adf682afcdc130d73fd http://www.tvpaint.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3221 and received Honourable Mention for Best Animated Film at the 2009 Ottawa International Animation Festival
.
As with the original book, the film gives detailed descriptions of the dog's bowel movements and sex life – received as "positively juvenile" and helping the film achieve realism and avoid anthropomorphism.
In 1988, Colin Gregg filmed Ackerley's We Think the World of You (1960) – also about Ackerley's relationship with his dog Queenie.
, a french, bitmap-based digital animation software package. No paper was used in the production.
The film alternates between several animation styles: fully rendered scenes, simple drawings, black and white line illustrations and quick notepad sketches.
The Fierlingers drew and painted about 60,000 drawings for the film, which comprises about 460 scenes and about 600 individual background paintings. The film includes 116,640 frames, with every frame shot twice, making 12 original frames for each second of projection time or 720 drawings per minute. At a length of 81 minutes, the film includes 58,320 drawings.
Fierlinger had earlier animated a half-hour PBS special called Still Life With Animated Dogs.
.
The film will be distributed in the UK and Ireland by Axiom Films, with a release date of 6 May 2011.
J. R. Ackerley
J. R. Ackerley was arts editor of The Listener, the weekly magazine of the BBC...
, BBC editor, novelist and memoirist. The film tells the story of Ackerley's fifteen-year relationship with his German Shepherd
German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog , also known as an Alsatian or just the German Shepherd, is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding Group, the German Shepherd is a working dog...
Queenie, who had had been renamed Tulip for the book. The film – geared toward an adult audience – was adapted, directed and animated by Paul Fierlinger
Paul Fierlinger
Paul Fierlinger is a creator of animated films and shorts, especially animated documentaries. He is also a part-time lecturer at University of Pennsylvania School of Design.-Early life:...
with backgrounds and characters painted by his wife, Sandra Fierlinger.
Christopher Plummer
Christopher Plummer
Arthur Christopher Orne Plummer, CC is a Canadian theatre, film and television actor. He made his film debut in 1957's Stage Struck, and notable early film performances include Night of the Generals, The Return of the Pink Panther and The Man Who Would Be King.In a career that spans over five...
narrated Ackerley's voice, Isabella Rossellini
Isabella Rossellini
Isabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini is an Italian actress, filmmaker, author, philanthropist, and model. Rossellini is noted for her 14-year tenure as a Lancôme model, and for her roles in films such as Blue Velvet and Death Becomes Her.-Background and early life:Rossellini is a...
provided the voice of the veterinarian, and Lynn Redgrave
Lynn Redgrave
Lynn Rachel Redgrave, OBE was an English actress.A member of the well-known British family of actors, Redgrave trained in London before making her theatrical debut in 1962...
provided the voice (in her last film performance) of Ackerley's sister Nancy.
The film premiered at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival
Annecy International Animated Film Festival
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival was created in 1960 and takes place at the beginning of June in the town of Annecy, France. Initially occurring every two years, the festival became annual in 1998...
on June 10, 2009 http://www.annecy.org/home/index.php?Page_ID=2096&film_id=20091772&back_page=2094&code_categfilm=C5&titre=&realisateur=&PHPSESSID=857ffa0f96551adf682afcdc130d73fd http://www.tvpaint.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3221 and received Honourable Mention for Best Animated Film at the 2009 Ottawa International Animation Festival
Ottawa International Animation Festival
-History:In 1976, the Canadian Film Institute founded the biennial Ottawa International Animation Festival . First held August 10 to 15, 1976, the OIAF created a gathering place for North American animation professionals and enthusiasts to ponder the craft and business of animation...
.
As with the original book, the film gives detailed descriptions of the dog's bowel movements and sex life – received as "positively juvenile" and helping the film achieve realism and avoid anthropomorphism.
In 1988, Colin Gregg filmed Ackerley's We Think the World of You (1960) – also about Ackerley's relationship with his dog Queenie.
Animation
Fierlinger and his wife divided the movie into fourteen sections, making the movie over a two and half year period using TVPaintTVPaint
TVP Animation is a 2D, bitmap-based digital animation software package, developed and distributed by TVPaint Developpement ....
, a french, bitmap-based digital animation software package. No paper was used in the production.
The film alternates between several animation styles: fully rendered scenes, simple drawings, black and white line illustrations and quick notepad sketches.
The Fierlingers drew and painted about 60,000 drawings for the film, which comprises about 460 scenes and about 600 individual background paintings. The film includes 116,640 frames, with every frame shot twice, making 12 original frames for each second of projection time or 720 drawings per minute. At a length of 81 minutes, the film includes 58,320 drawings.
Fierlinger had earlier animated a half-hour PBS special called Still Life With Animated Dogs.
Distribution and Release
In July 2010, US distribution rights were acquired by New Yorker FilmsNew Yorker Films
New Yorker Films is an independent film distribution company founded by Daniel Talbot in 1965. It started as an extension of his Manhattan movie house, the New Yorker Theater, after he discovered he was unable to obtain certain foreign titles for exhibition....
.
The film will be distributed in the UK and Ireland by Axiom Films, with a release date of 6 May 2011.
External links
- Press release for the film (August 14, 2006)
- Comments about the unfinished film by Michael SpornMichael SpornMichael Sporn is an American animator who founded his New York-based company, Michael Sporn Animation in 1980, and has produced and directed numerous animated TV specials and short spots.-Career:...
(Oct. 30, 2006) - Official Site