David O Reilly - Independent Genius
David O Reilly is one of the most talented and visionary film makers to emerge out of Ireland in the last few years. The animator has created sequences and props in "Son of Rambow" and "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy," as well as stage visuals for M.I.A. He has just directed the amazing video for U2's single, "I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight” with designer Jon Klassen in Lumiere Studios, London.
Described by many in the animation industry as a genius, O Reilly's brilliant short "Please Say Something," made entirely at home in his own room, subverts the traditional cartoon cat and mouse roles. His raw unrenderred style, which he says comes down to a matter of economy, has a beauty and expression in its own right.
His short films have garnered enormous repect from his peers in the animation field. He is a regular lecturer at animation festivals around Europe and has won numerous awards including, Best German Film - Oberhausen and Golden Bear for Best Short film - Berlinale. Animation magazine named him the rising star of animation for 2009.
Under the pseudonym of a child named Randy Peters from Chicago, his crudely drawn creation Octocat (an eight legged cat searching for his parents) gained a following through Youtube before it bursts from the 2D of MS Paint into a 3D world and epic battle. The series showcased both his brilliant animation prowess and the power of the internet as a medium for such artistic concepts.
Currently based in Berlin, the Kilkenny native who has never formally studied animation, has previously worked for the brilliant Shynola and Studio AKA in London and now works on his own with the freedom to pick and choose his projects.
Scruff Daddy talks to the talented film maker about his work, his style and his work with U2.
Where did your love of animation come from?
It comes and goes over the years. I'm mostly indifferent to animation, but then it likes playing hard to get on me and I fall in love again.
What's your opinion of the Irish animation industry?
I like what the Cartoon Saloon boys are doing in Kilkenny. Team Daddy are also a great asset. Other than that I'm not aware of much, but Im sure there's plenty of interesting things happening.
How did your work with U2 come about?
Their manager called me up. The band had seen my short film "Please Say Something" and wanted to work together.
Was there much contact or input from the band or were you given free reign?
I think there was a brief somewhere but I never read it. They were supportive of my idea from the word go, never asked for a single change.
You have receieved many awards for your work, have you gained much recognition for your work from Ireland?
Almost none, but that's ok. We never had a huge audience for it really.
Your style is almost like guerilla animation. It's the opposite of the highly polished, every single hair on a characters head stuff that the big studios are churning out. Was this style a reaction to this?
In the beginning yes. I did some reactionary things, but now its mostly just influenced by economy. I try to do things in the simplest way possible. It's too easy to demonize the big studios, it's better to just do good work, even if you don't have their resources.
Would it be fair to say that you have been influenced by video game culture?
As much as anyone, yes, but nothing in comparison to the effect watching films had or the act of working in 3d software. I try to not let the aesthetic I use slip into a video game look, but sometimes it comes close.
You work on your own as opposed to working for a studio, was this a conscious decision to forge ahead on your own?
It started as a basic necessity. It was just myself in a room with no money, you don't have a choice. Then when I started getting animation jobs in studios I never found a director who was doing the kind of work I was interested in, so I left it all and went back to doing it myself.
Is there any advantages and disadvantages to working like this?
The advantage is I'm responsible for everything I do. This is also the main disadvantage.
Where can you see the animation industry going in the next few years?
Lots more independent work. Agencies and production companies getting cut out of the picture. Animation filmmakers representing themselves through the internet.
What's next in line for you?
A few small things before a big thing. Hopefully more work with my designer on the U2 video, Jon Klassen.
Check David's work on the U2 video:
Check it: www.davidoreilly.com
David O Reilly Artwork
