Hey, Small Spender

Dying to spend that GST cheque? Recently chose the cash back option at Wal-Mart? At a loss for what to get that special someone on their special day? There’s no better way to say I LOVE ANIMATION (and if need be, I Love You) than by getting your hands on some of this year’s Quickdraw merchandise:

Avoid Eye Contact (Volume 1 and 2): Best of NYC Independent Animation: $16.50 each. Ranging from 2 to 10 minutes, the short films in these two volumes promise to delight all audiences with their use of color, sound, editing, and various narrative techniques. Volume 2 has 15 films: that’s only $1.10 per film.

Ten Animated Films by Signe Baumane: $16.50. Latvian animator and illustrator Signe Baumane brings us a series of whimsical tales crafted by her sometimes risqué sense of humour. We may not care to find Latvia on a map, but come on, risqué Latvian humour? Who isn’t intrigued?

Rat Moves: The QAS Portfolio Project: $16.50. A small price to pay for a lifetime of something called Rat Moves on your DVD shelf.

Teat Beat of Sex: $16.50. The official website warns that “If you are under 38, are easily offended, have a heart condition, or live in a country where movies about sex are illegal, do not enter this site!” There’s a thong on the cover, and oh, turns out the shorts are actually lectures on sex.

NFB DVD: $25/ NFB Blue Ray: $30. This year, the National Film Board celebrates its 70th anniversary. What better way to celebrate than by buying a present for yourself? (Specifically, this DVD.)

Quickdraw T-Shirts: $15. For two thirds of the price of an American Apparel T-shirt you can get, well, an American Apparel T-shirt. Plus the Quickdraw logo. Steal of a deal.

Quick Kids Membership $30/ Associate Membership $25/ Producing Membership $50. Yesterday Alan MacDonald, as he manned the merchandise booth, told me that “the best thing about the membership is the people you’ll meet” after which he accidentally added “’cause they’re the people that will make your film.” I don’t doubt that you’ll meet people. As for getting your film made by others? Maybe ask Alan about that.

Quickdraw Merchandise will be on sale at The Plaza Theatre and The Quickdraw Animation Society during festival events.