Eye Liner

New! (2011, 4 min., 2D computer animation, DVD, Blu-ray, Beta SP, 16:9)

Bold, crisp, playful animation that explores the organic geometry and archetypes of the human face. Eye Liner choreographs the flow and ebb of abstract and cultural effigies that echo facial features. This is the second film in a trilogy of abstract films that explore patterns of fauna and flora.

Directed, produced and animated by Joanna Priestley. Sound designed and produced by Seth Norman. Supported by the Regional Arts and Culture Council.

Dear Pluto

Currently in production (4 min., 3D and 2D computer animation, DVD, Blu-ray, Beta SP, 16:9)

“Dear Pluto, you will always be a planet in my Solar System! The International Astronomical Union has demoted you, cast you in with the other icy bodies of the Kuiper Belt. But what do they know?”

A tribute to Pluto, everyone’s favorite planetoid, from the poem “Pizza” by slam poet Taylor Mali.

Directed and produced by Joanna Priestley. Sound designed and produced by Lance Limbocker. Written and performed by Taylor Mali.  3-D animation by James O’Neill and Russell Wilkins.  Design and 2-D animation by Joanna Priestley. Compositing by Randy Wakerlin. Computer animation and modeling by Fred Ruff. Music by Lance Limbocker. Character voices by Rob Sample.  Assistant 3-D modeling by Luc Cote'.  Storyboards by Dan Schaeffer. Character designs by Don Flores. Edited by Joanna Priestley and Randy Wakerlin. Supported by the Regional Arts and Culture Council.

Split Ends

Currently in production (x min., 2D computer animation, DVD, Blu-ray, Beta SP, 16:9)

Split Ends is an exploration of abstract, layered patterns inspired by American and European gift wrap from the 1960’s, and American wallpaper designs from the early 1900's. The final film in a trilogy of abstract films based on organic, botanical forms.

Directed, produced and animated by Joanna Priestley. Sound designed and produced by Michael Herrman. Compositing by Brian Kinkley. Music performed by Buoy LaRue: Michael Herrman (vocals and guitars), Steve Drizos (drums), Will Amend (upright and electric bass), Adam Hoornstra (Viola) and Keiko Araki (violin). Supported by the Regional Arts and Culture Council.

(2009, 4 min., 2D computer animation, DVD, Blu-ray, Beta SP, 16:9)

Written and narrated by Taylor Mali, who led teams to four championships in the National Poetry Slam, this dirty ditty animates text and plays up phonetics with hilarious results.  A witty commentary on ignorance, idiocy and our over-reliance on spell check.

Selected Festivals: Black Maria Film Festival (USA): First Prize (Jury Award), USA Film Festival: Finalist, CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival (Canada), Melbourne International Animation Festival (Australia), AniMadrid Animation Festival (Spain),Ottawa International Animation Festival (Canada), Barcelona Festival of Independent Cinema (Spain), Ann Arbor Film Festival and Tour(USA), Annecy International Animation Festival (France), Tricky Women Festival (Austria), New Orleans Film Festival (USA), Portland International Film Festival (USA), Vienna Independent Short Film Festival (Austria), Animator International Festival (Poland), VideoFest (USA), Northwest Film and Video Festival (USA), BEFILM Underground Film Festival (USA), Visible Verse (Canada), Portland Women’s Film Festival (USA), Crossroads Film Festival (USA).

Streetcar Named Perspire

(2007, 6.5 min., 2-D computer animation, DVD, BetaSP, 1.85:1)

Streetcar Named Perspire is a roller coaster ride through the hot flashes, mood swings, depression, pimples, facial hair, rage, menstrual flooding, insomnia, memory lapse, rapid heartbeat and brain fog of one of life’s great transitions.

“Priestley’s animated roller coaster ride both previews and celebrates- depending on your age- one of life’s most thrill-filled experiences.” -Heike Kuehn, Northwest Film and Video Festival

Extended Play

(2007, 4 min., digital animated installation, 3:1)

Extended Play is an animated, experimental exploration and rediscovery of youthful pastimes. Set within the spotlight of a elliptical border, games, diagrams and objects of amusement create an evocative metaphor of childhood play.

Extended Play was presented as a large scale, outdoor installation with two performers providing live foley sound. It premiered on June 28, 2007 at “Inside Out”, Platform International Animation Festival, in Portland, OR, USA.

Dew Line

(2005, 4.5 min., computer animation, DVD, Beta SP, 1.33:1)

A rich abstract tapestry of biomorphic forms that hints at the loss of botanical diversity.  The title refers to the shapes created by condensation and to the line of radar stations (Distant Early Warning) built in Alaska, USA during the Cold War. Made with FlashMX.

“Priestley’s Flash animation is a striking continuation of her fluid playful style.” -Bill Foster, Northwest Film Center

“Priestley’s playful eye takes us on a tour through the cycle of life and death as cells split apart, regenerate and dance a microbiological twist.” -Sam Green, San Francisco University

Selected Festivals: Big Muddy Film Festival: First Prize, Animated Worlds Tour and DVD (USA), Fantoche International Animation Festival: Best of the World Program (Switzerland), Hiroshima International Animation Festival: Best of the World Program (Japan), Black Maria Film Festival: Director’s Citation, Anima Mundi Animation Festival (Brazil), Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival (South Korea), Prix Ars Electronica (Germany), Ottawa International Animation Festival (Canada), Mediawave International Film Festival (Hungary), London International Animation Festival (UK), Melbourne Animation Festival (Australia), Leipzig International Festival (Germany), I Castelli Animati (Italy), Bimini International Animated Film Festival (Latvia), Flying Broom International Women’s Film Festival (Turkey), Black Nights Film Festival (Estonia), Newport International Film Festival (USA), Dallas Video Festival (Texas).

Andaluz

(2004, 5.5 min., drawings on paper, 35mm, DVD, 1.33:1)

A traveler’s love letter to Andalucía, this animated film is an homage to the culture, landscape, and architecture of southern Spain. The film explores details of the natural world in relation to the four elements, and suggests the close relationship between people and the land which they inhabit. "Short but sweet, this new animated tribute to southern Spain is just six minutes long, but the tale spans centuries."  -Cheryl Sinapis, Boston Globe

Surface Dive

(2000, 7.5 min., replacement animation, glass, and pastels on paper, DVD, 35mm, 1.85:1, Dolby Digital)

Surface Dive is an abstract animated film inspired by a snorkeling adventure in a freshwater cenote in the Yucatan, Mexico. It combines three layers of artwork, molded replacement sculptures, glass pieces and pastel drawings on paper. Each layer is animated separately and shot on a multi-level stand. "More than 600 sculptures, 200 glass pieces and 2200 drawings combine to fashion a work of dazzling detail and complexity.” -Bill Foster, Director, Northwest Film Center

Selected Festivals: Sundance Film Festival, Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival (Korea): First Place Award for Expression, World Animation Celebration (USA): Best Experimental Film, Black Maria Film Festival (USA): Director’s Citation Award, Culture2Culture Tricky Women Festival (Austria): City of Vienna Prize, Taos Talking Picture Festival (USA), Anima Mundi International Animation Festival (Brasil), I Castelli Animati Animation Festival (Italy), Cinanima International Animation Festival (Portugal), Leipzig International Festival (Germany), Northwest Film and Video Festival (USA), Nordic and Baltic Animation Festival (Norway), Big Muddy Film Festival (USA), Dallas Video Festival (USA), Animated Encounters: Bristol International Animation Festival (UK), Stuttgart International Animation Festival (Germany), ANIMAC (Spain), Ann Arbor Film Festival (USA), Filme Im Schloss: Weisbaden Animation Festival (Germany).

Kali Yuga

(2000, 4 min., pixillation and object animation, 16mm, 1.33:1)

Kali Yuga was commissioned by contemporary music ensemble Fear No Music, to accompany a new musical composition by composer Joseph Waters. It includes two animation experiments: pixillation of yogi and rock climber Diane Wilson (age 50) that was shot in nature and object animation of tools, bolts, screws and nails. The music was synchronized to the images and performed live by five musicians, who moved around and , at one point, were encased upside down in wooden sculptures while playing.

Utopia Parkway

(1997, 5 min., drawings on paper and replacement animation, DVD, 35 mm, 1.33:1)

Utopia Parkway is an abstract and symbolic film about covert forces and mysterious containers.  It was inspired by the boxes of American sculptor Joseph Cornell, who lived in the same house on Utopia Parkway in Queens, New York, nearly all of his life. “Joanna Priestley’s Utopia Parkway explores new techniques, including animating 3-D forms made out of what looks like glazed clay.  The objects were sculpted to form a series that have smooth transitions from one shape to another.  The work is technically brilliant and her use of new materials is quite inventive.”  -Karl Cohen, ASIFA-SF Journal

Selected Festivals: San Francisco International Film Festival (USA): Golden Gate Award, Big Muddy Film Festival (USA): Best of Festival, Northwest Film and Video Festival (USA): Judge’s Award, Black Maria Film Festival (USA): Director’s Choice Award, U.S.A. Film Festival: Finalist, Fantoche International Festival for Animated Films: Best of the World (Switzerland), I Castelli Animati (Italy), Zagreb World Festival of Animated Films (Croatia), Hiroshima International Animation Festival (Japan), Anima Mundi International Animation Festival (Brasil), Stuttgart International Animation Festival (Germany) Cinanima International Animation Festival (Portugal), Oslo Animation Festival (Norway), Annecy International Animation Festival (France), ANIMAC (Spain), Interfilm Berlin (Germany), Malaysia Video Awards (Malaysia), Taos Talking Picture Festival (USA), Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema (USA).

Hand Held

(1995, 7 min., ink and watercolor on paper with pixillated hands, DVD, 16mm, 1.33:1)

Hand Held is about organizing to confront oppression. The animation, made with ink, watercolor and pastels on index cards has been shot while being held in real people's hands. Models of all ages (infant to Joanna’s 93 year old grandmother) and races, prosthetic hands and animal paws create a symbolic community of hands that surround the artwork. The soundtrack was performed by the acclaimed acappella quartet: The Bobs, Joe Finetti, Richard Greene, Janie Scott and Matthew Stul

Selected Festivals: Marin County Film Festival (USA): First Prize, Northwest Film and Video Festival (USA): First Prize, Black Maria Film Festival (USA): Director’s Citation, Humbolt Film Festival (USA): Honorable Mention, Medicine Wheel Animation Festival (USA): Honorable Mention, Stuttgart International Animation Festival (Germany), Leipzig International Film Festival, Schorndorf International Cartoon Festival.

Grown Up

Grown Up takes a humorous and poignant look at what it means to be turning 40 and growing older.

“In a time when everyone seems to be writing about aging, Priestley does a brilliant job of reclaiming 40 and her own process of middle aging with humor, optimism and an award winning animation style that just might make twenty-somethings wish they were older.” -Bill Foster, Northwest Film Center

Selected Festivals: New York Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival (USA, Premiere), Northwest Film and Video Festival (USA): First Prize, Marin County Film Festival (USA): First Prize, Worldfest Houston (USA): Gold Award, Black Maria Film and Video Festival (USA): Director’s Citation Award, Worldfest Charleston (USA): Gold Award, Columbus International Film Festival (USA): Honorable Mention, Intercom International Festival (USA): Certificate of Merit, Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema (USA), Athens International Film and Video Festival (USA), Ottawa International Animation Festival (Canada), U.S.A. Film Festival, Stuttgart International Animation Festival (Germany), San Francisco International Film Festival (USA), Sinking Creek Film Festival (USA).

Pro and Con

(1993, 9 min., 2-D puppets, drawings, object and cel animation and clay painting, 35mm, 1.33:1)

Pro and Con investigates life in prison through two monologues: one by a corrections officer (Lt. Janice Inman), and the other by Oregon State Penitentiary inmate, written by Jeff Green. Pro and Con features self-portraits that were drawn by inmates at the penitentiary and object animation of weapons and crafts that were confiscated from inmates.

"Pro and Con is a brief but excellent exploration of the thoughts and emotions of those working and living in our prison system." -Rebecca S. Albitz, Pyramid

Selected Festivals: Black Maria Film Festival (USA): Director’s Choice Award, Cindy Competition (USA): Gold Award, Northwest Film and Video Festival (USA): Honorable Mention, Worldfest Charleston (USA): Gold Award, Birmingham Educational Film Festival (USA): First Prize, Columbus Film Festival (USA): Honorable Mention, CINE Competition (USA): Gold Eagle Award, Bombay International Film Festival (India), Annecy International Animation Festival (France), Holland Animation Festival, Sinking Creek Film Festival (USA), Ottawa International Animation Festival (Canada), U.S.A. Film Festival.