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<strong>Screening of <em>CALDERA</em></strong> the AWARD WINNING
"Best Animated Short," at the Rome International Film Festival
(RIFF)<strong><em> <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://vimeo.com/37526983">http://vimeo.com/37526983</a> </em></strong>by
Evan Viera, Director, and Chris Bishop, Co-Writer, Story Artist
& Animation Supervisor. Both are Hampshire College Alumni in
animation, Chris Perry, Associate Professor of Media Arts and
Sciences, is Co-Producer & Editor of the film.<br>
ORCHID ANIMATION presents<strong><em> CALDERA</em></strong>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://orchidanimation.com/about">http://orchidanimation.com/about</a><br>
<br>
Film summary: An adolescent girl struggles to balance the dual edges
of her psychosis. In the refuge of a mystic oceanic cove, the
vibrancy of her mind is embraced and she is able to form bonds with
the lifeforms and light of the environment. This enhancement she
enjoys, however, is opposed by a demonic manifestation: a dark
figure with powers that mirror her own. The being appears wherever
her own brilliant glow is allowed to take root, tearing the world
around it into jagged debris and bleeding red light. To contain
these violent extremes, the girl must dampen herself with
medication. A dosage of three white pills drains the color from the
world and her own dazzling green eyes, allowing her a muted
existence in the insipid gray metropolis where she resides. So
diminished is her powerful mind that all she perceives is a vacant
monotony devoid of natural elements. With her only choices being the
purgatory of a shambling half-life or the unknowable consequences of
her unrestrained mania, this unique girl rejects her medication to
choose a path beyond that of this marginalizing society.<br>
<br>
Biographical statement: Evan Viera is an award winning and emerging
filmmaker/composer. His work has shown internationally and has been
selected by some of the most competitive festivals. “CALDERA” is
Viera’s first film out of college and had it’s world premiere at
South by Southwest in March of 2012.<br>
<br>
Caldera Production History<br>
Caldera was written in the summer of 2008 by Hampshire College
Alumni Evan Viera and Chris Bishop, drawing on their personal
relationships with victims of mental illness. The two struggled to
balance their teaching positions at Hampshire College and UMASS
while working on pre-production out of a spare room in Evan’s
apartment. Once the writing and storyboarding was complete, it
became clear that they lacked the resources necessary to actually
bring their vision to the screen. Meanwhile, Chris Perry, the pair’s
former animation instructor at Hampshire College, was in the process
of launching the Computer Graphics Incubator Program; a
collaborative project that would give students the opportunity to
intern with visiting artists in need of the facilities the college
could provide. Caldera proved to be a perfect fit, the two man team
gained the technology and personnel it needed while the college
gained a source of real-world experience for its students. In 2010,
Evan and Chris launched a highly successful Kickstarter fundraiser
which allowed them to expand the team further, incorporating various
professionals from around the United States. The resulting interface
of the academic world with the independent animation industry has
yielded a diverse network of expertise and input; allowing the
completion of an ambitious animated short while providing a model
for future student/artist collaboration.<br>
<br>
Director's Statement<br>
I made Caldera to attempt to ask questions about the nature of
psychosis. How can individualswith disorders integrate themselves
into a society in which they cannot function? If an individual must
self-medicate before his or her behavior can be considered
acceptable, what role has society inadvertently claimed over them?
The creative capacity formed in the crucible of a unique psyche may
be difficult to see from outside; what potential is lost by dulling
the incredible minds that house them? This film is inspired by
individuals struggling with psychotic disorders, and with it I hope
to honor and acknowledge the brilliant minds forged in the haunted
depths of psychosis.<br>
<br>
In The ASH Auditorium A light lunch will be available at
noon<br>
<strong><em><br>
<br>
</em></strong><a href="http://vimeo.com/37526983"><strong><em></em></strong></a>
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<title>CBD to-do list updated and attached</title>
Paula Harmon, Administrative Assistant <br>
<div class="moz-signature"><small> School of Cognitive Science <br>
Hampshire College<br>
893 West Street Amherst, MA 01002 <br>
phone: 413.559.5502 <br>
fax: 413.559.5438 <br>
<a href="http://cs.hampshire.edu">http://cs.hampshire.edu</a></small>
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