#FestivalCollective Filmmaker Spotlight: Jack Fields, "Happy Memories"
Meet Jack Fields, the eccentric filmmaker behind the puppetry short film "Happy Memories," one of the featured selections on the Film Festival Collective OnDemand channel presented by XFINITY.
Filmmaker Jack Fields's unique, puppetry-influenced filmmaking style is as fascinating as it is eccentric. His debut film, "Happy Memories," follows a cupcake on its journey through a dangerous realm. Psychedelic, intricate, and eye-catching; "Happy Memories" takes the viewer on a wonderfully outlandish trip that surely inspires the imagination. The film played in over 15 film festivals, including as an official selection of the 2014 Indie Grits Festival.
Jack Fields has been creating puppetry since 2007. His success with this medium is readily apparent as shown through his accumulation of two United Arts of Central Florida grants, both for the creation of his puppet films (including "Happy Memories"). Fields has earned other accolades as well, including the PuppetFest Midwest scholarship and the UNIMA scholarship.
Fields is currently based in Orlando, Florida where he works at There's a Thing in There, a puppetry production company. There, Fields creates projects with fellow puppeteer-filmmakers Hannah Millers and John Regan. The company specializes in non-traditional storytelling through narratives inspired by both mythology and the subconscious.
What's next for this unconventional filmmaker? Fields is currently in the works on a new film about Albert Einstein's brain building a body out of discarded corpses and going on a journey of self discovery. But for now, watch Fields's trailer for "Happy Memories" below and check out his website for more outstanding works.
Do you love the puppet shorts at ATLFF? Check out the National Puppet Slam
At ATLFF '14, puppeteer Beau Brown helped us curate our puppetry short film program, in addition to hosting and performing in the spectacular Touch the Puppet Head event. He is hosting the National Puppet Slam at the Center for Puppetry Arts later this month!
At ATLFF '14, puppeteer Beau Brown helped us curate our puppetry short film program, in addition to his hosting and performing duties in the spectacular Touch the Puppet Head event. Beau is an extremely accomplished puppetry master here in Atlanta—a pretty important city in the industry, thanks to the Center for Puppetry Arts and other vibrant community members.
Later this month, Beau and puppetry fans and professionals from across the nation will converge for the National Puppet Slam! If you love having puppetry as a part of ATLFF as much as we do, check out this event and support this community.
Puppet Slam (noun): A curated collection of short-form pieces of adult puppet theater.
Experience the beauty, ingenuity, and hilarity of the best puppet slams from across the country. Thursday through Saturday, August 28-30, 8 PM each night on the Mainstage Theater at the Center for Puppetry Arts.
Ages 18 & up ONLY. Beer and wine bar available.
Show lineup:
- The Joshua Show: Trick Yourself Into Being Happy by Joshua Holden from New York
Mr. Nicholas, the sock puppet, expresses his frustration with feeling grumpy and sad every day. Joshua, his soul mate, teaches him how to kick the blues by tricking himself into being happy.
- Sifters by Sarah Nolen from Connecticut
The story of love, loss, and letting go is told in silhouette.
- Real Puppetry of the Penis by Michael and Valerie Nelson from California
A demonstration of various penis puppets with commentary.
- The Mantis Sisters by Donna Kimball, Alison Mork, and Kristin Charney from California
Three sisters discuss the joys as well as the unique pitfalls of dating in the praying mantis world.
- Moon Gas by David T Steinman with Blake Love, Kit Leffler, Kalen Keir and Skyler Nowinski from Minnesota
A wild rock opera set in a subterraneous moon tavern.
INTERMISSION
- Milo the Magnificent by Alex Vernon and Sarah Olmsted Thomas from Maryland
Milo is a young, aspiring magician who’s thrilled to debut his first performance in front of a live audience. He will also exhibit his latest invention: the mechanical man!
- Who’s Lovin’ You by Marta Mozelle MacRostie and Jessica Simon from New York
A man and his heart-dog must struggle on after being dumped.
- Superstition by Brodrick Jones from New York
A black cat has a bad day.
- The Master by Anamaria Craciun from Connecticut
An apprentice has a life and death confrontation with its Master.
- Hot Carl by Paul McGinnis with Victor Yerrid and Haley Jenkins from New York
A black light, tabletop piece featuring a dancing skeleton.
Puppetry vs Animation Smackdown on June 14
The Center for Puppetry Arts and ASIFA-Atlanta present the Puppetry vs Animation Smackdown on Saturday, June 14th at 7pm, to take place at the Center For Puppetry Arts' MainStage Theater. Watch as representatives from both the puppetry and animation communities debate the use of their respective art forms in television and film.
The Center for Puppetry Arts and ASIFA-Atlanta present the Puppetry vs Animation Smackdown on Saturday, June 14th at 7pm, to take place at the Center For Puppetry Arts' MainStage Theater.
Watch as representatives from both the puppetry and animation communities debate the use of their respective art forms in television and film.
A partnership between the
Center for Puppetry Arts and ASIFA-Atlanta
-Meet the Debators-
Representing Puppetry:
Jason von Hinezmeyer, the Center's Resident Puppet Builder
Raymond Carr, Owner of Ninja Puppet Productions
Representing Animation:
Neal Holman, Production Designer & Art Director for FX's Archer
Todd Redner, Associate Art Director for FX's Archer
Ages 16 & Up | 60 min
Museum opens @ 6pm | Beer/wine bar opens @ 6:15pm
Cost:
FREE for Members*; $7 for Nonmembers
*Members must call 404.873.3391 to reserve seats.
