Oooo, a little bit of politics, as Ben Elton used to say. The Torquay Fringe Film event could not go by without nurturing some political satire. But Michael Bett’s love of animation seems to be the inspiration for his film Escape from Kirkuk rather than the global arena of international politics, and if satire teaches us anything it teaches us tautology.
Q: Why a satrical animation on Iraq?
A: Well, there are two reasons really, one reason you may not be quite prepared for. But first, it started just before Iraq was invaded but American troops were in Afghanistan. I kind of stumbled on the idea by accident really, but tensions were at a high between the west and Saddam. People spoke of the theory that America was only interested in Iraq’s oil and so on.
That’s the political excuse, even though I don’t really have an interest in politics, it’s what I heard floating around at the time, and since. But the timing was kinda incidental.
My second reason is merely this, I am an artist and am always trying to create stuff, and I always wanted to make a movie. After several small attempts, I finally got the ball rolling, experimenting and such. The beauty of animation is you don’t need actors, and being an artist I usually work alone, but as you will see the list of credits, much help was needed.
Anyway, I just bought some black sculpting wax to experiment with as an art medium. I found that it was quite pliable and so I made a five second animation of a Morph-style man, and my friend and I animated him moving around on a chair, just to test out the equipment really. I had a brainwave of creating an oil-man, then an action adventure film with him escaping something. Then my idea spiralled out of control over a two-year filming period on a very, very low budget. So this was the beginning, and all the politics kinda kicked in from there. In fact as I was filming it we were currently at war with Saddam, so it became more and more topical.
Q: What’s your background?
A: I am an artist, the struggling kind that makes little money. I live in Paignton and have had a little college education and am a huge movie fan. Not much to talk about background wise except I have attempted many little artistic and film adventures. Mostly either let down by no money or other annomilies. Or just plain old no luck. In fact this is my first festival. Aside from a small Cornish screening that my friend showed this film at, to which he reported it got a standing ovation, I was not present to witness it.
Q: Is this your first animation?
A: Kind of, I guess. I made a sci-fi film during my last year of school – which took me a year to make in my lunchbreaks. But this was not animated as such, it is only now that I have really had the technology to make an animation, thanks to digital cameras and PC editing software. But, the school film I made was puppets kinda like Thunderbirds. It’s the model making and artwork that I specialize in, something that I regret about Escape from Kirkuk, as it doesn’t show off my actual true talents, its more an editing and compositing exercise, but that’s due to the way it all came about.
If I had actually set out to make this film from scratch I’m sure it would of been a different subject. I also made puppets in 1997 for a proposed film that I wanted to make, but never had the technology or backing to make it. But I was proud of my puppets/set pieces and props. One day it will get made I hope.
Q: What other films are you working on?
A: Currently none at the moment, I have recently gone self employed as a freelance artist, creating posters, flyers, and sculpting monsters and such, as well as building up a portfolio. I’ve just finished an illustrated children’s picture book that I want to get published. So, film projects have taken a back seat for now. I also have a movie script on the go at the moment which hopefully will be noticed by Hollywood. But my ideal film job is working on special effects for film. Such as designing monsters/zombies and characters for big FX films like Batman or Star Wars.
Q: What’s your inspiration?
A: Well, if you mean inspiration by day to day inspiration? I guess watching movies and talking about them a lot. I hit the IGN movie boards on the net everyday and become a geek at midnight. My friends inspire me too, they egg me on to do more.
I love how films before digital were made. I appreciate the art of movie making, especially the old ways. Films like Empire Strikes back, Back to the Future, where real models were built and animated over a year. The scenery was painted on glass and it was flawless. Nothing was fake, yet it was fake at the same time. That is my main inspiration. Also the prospect of making enough cash to make bigger and better things. One day a Hollywood blockbuster (I’m not ashamed to admit it.)
Q: Who do you admire?
A: Well, you could probably guess from my previous answers, but George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Stan Winston and many others. Don’t get me wrong, I love British films, but generally British films have more script orientated properties, but I like the visual side more, the side many take for granted. A good balance of both is perfect.
George Lucas, for example, made me not only love films, love special effects wizardry but he also made me love art in many respects, too. Also the struggle that he went through to get his films made, including facing rejection. And look at him now! King of his castle with his own empire to boot. Spielberg I also like, for his fantastic variety of films from Indiana Jones to Saving Private Ryan. Excellent in his field of work. And Stan Winston, the man behind the scenes that has brought some of cinemas most famous creations to life. From the Dinosaurs in Jurassic Park to the Terminator/Alien creatures. Everyone has seen some of his work, but not everyone knows it.
Q: What’s next in terms of your career?
A: Well, aside from the mission of getting this childrens book published, I am kinda wondering into the unknown. One difference is that I feel 2008 is somehow going to be my year. But why or how I dont fully know. But I sense myself getting very creative this year. And maybe stepping closer to what ever I’m supposed to do in life. But having my film, which has been sat lazily on a shelf for a long time, shown at this festival is very encouraging. And feels like a part of what ever is in store.
TOMORROW: We’re still in Torquay, talking to the man behind the International Comedy Festival
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