HESO interviews Robert May, co-producer of The Animation Show, and independent animators Bill Plympton & Don Hertzfeldt.
HESO: Can you tell us a bit about the history of Animation Festivals in the US and abroad?
Robert May: In the 1950’s a group of international independent animators formed Association Internationale du Film d’Animation (ASIFA) to help bring animators and filmmakers from around the world together to communicate ideas. A festival was born from this in Annecy France. The International Annecy Animation festival is still the largest in the world today and embodies that original spirit. The …

As seen on Magnesium Photography.
The major problems facing the human race are massive as ever and show no sign of abating anytime soon. Resource wars are becoming the norm. The environment needs a breath of fresh air. American obesity is getting serious (picture a muumuu-clad Homer Simpson when his fingers were too fat to dial the phone). Despite the overwhelming negativity slowing most forward-thinking legislative bodies, there seems to be a palpable worldwide trend toward cleaner living. Maybe it’s the economic recession talking or perhaps people are finally getting the …

For those in the Tokyo community who don’t know her, know of her or haven’t attended one of her celebrated Parties For Peace DJ soirees, Peace Boat International Coordinator and activist Emilie McGlone is motivated and charismatic, a deadly combination when it comes to getting what she wants. Luckily her wish list is not laden with the many luxuries lining Ginza boutiques but rather consists of the altruistic desire to help people. That and party. Party positively, of course. It’s a long story, but an interesting one, …

SNJEZANA JOSIPOVIC is immediately enigmatic. Her voice is such that you feel the words rather than hear them, like an animal’s growl, a kick drum in the dark, or a wave’s crash on rocks. And at the same time she’s sweet and laughs a lot, which covers for the lack of silence. Let me explain. Snjezana’s photographs are engrossing and although varying greatly in theme, content and technical wizardry, the overall feel is one of a vast inner life, bustling with behind-the-scenes activity, yet covered by an invisible veil which …

A Participant Media presentation, in association with River Road Entertainment. Produced by Robert Kenner, Elise Pearlstein. Executive producers: William Pohlad, Robin Schorr, Jeff Skoll, Diane Weyermann. Co-producers: Eric Schlosser, Richard Pearce, Melissa Robledo. Directed by Robert Kenner.
With: Eric Schlosser, Michael Pollan, Joel Salatin.
People often ask me if it is due to religious reasons that I don’t eat meat. They suggest I could be taking some kind of social protest stance due to inhumane treatment of animals. Do I want to destroy capitalism? It’s even been alleged that I may be …

It was 2002 during the World Cup when I first put the music to the name: Kodō. It wasn’t until I had heard Tataku: The Best of Kodō II (1994-1999), an amazing collection of their most recent recorded performances, that I made the connection between the music I was listening to and the globe-trotting band that wrote and performed the FIFA 2002 World Cup Official Anthem, a song which seemed to be powering the Japanese soccer club onto their best showing in a World Cup to date. Even then I …