Drunk Batman and Robin Animated Short 1- Smart Phone from Spencer Scott Holmes on Vimeo.

Drunk Batman and Robin Animated Short 2- Why Robin Can’t Wear Pants from Spencer Scott Holmes on Vimeo.

DC Nation – Aardman by redruger

(Simpsons (c) Fox)

For some unknown reason I had a song from the Simpsons stuck in my head all day yesterday – Mister Burns singing “see my vest” (in a pastiche of a classic musical scene whose name escapes me at the moment) as he shows off his wardrobe full of handmade garments fashioned from animals “see my vest, made from real gorilla chest… Like my loafers? Former gophers, it was that or skin my chauffers…” As with many folks when I get an earworm lodged in the brain like that I had a look online for it to play it out my system and instead I came across this – a ‘dramatic’ reading of the See My Vest song, which is just pure, cracked genius…

The Art of Pho – motion comic trailer from Submarine Channel on Vimeo.

There’s also an interesting short ‘making of’ video posted alongside Little Tombstone itself:

The film is doing the rounds of the arthouse cinemas in the UK at the moment such as the ICA in London and the Filmhouse in Edinburgh (check your local for details), showcasing a mix of short tales based on Tatsumi’s comics interspersed with fascinating segments of biography, voiced by Tatsumi-san himself in a very nice touch – it’s much recommended and you can read my recent review here and his books in English are published by Drawn & Quarterly (and available here). The ICA is also hosting a mini-exhibition of Tatsumi’s work until early February. But without further ado I will hand you over to Eric to tell us a bit more about his film:

Twenty years ago, I read Yoshihiro Tatsumi’s “Good-Bye”. Never in my wildest dream, would I have imagined that I would end up directing those characters in his work for the big screen! I used to draw comics for magazines and newspapers in the 80s. A major publishing house suggested that I come up with a graphic novel but the deadline was in 3 months! I was anxious as I was not prepared for the short turnaround time. But it happened that a friend passed me a copy of Tatsumi sensei’s book “Good Bye and other stories” by Catalan Publications. I was blown away by what I was reading. The material gave me so much inspiration and ideas that I was able to come up, on time, with the graphic stories needed for my book. Thanks to Tatsumi sensei, my first graphic novel was published!!

From comic panels, I moved on and adopted a new medium to tell my stories. I became a film director. However, those powerful stories from Sensei’s graphic novel stayed with me. Unconsciously, they gave me the impetus and courage to explore the dark side of human nature. Themes such as yearning, loneliness and the irony of life all spoke to me. So it is not surprising that the many characters in my previous films, Mee Pok Man, 12 Storeys, Be with Me and My Magic come from the underbelly of society.

Many years passed, Tatsumi sensei’s name cropped up again when I was at a bookstore, three years ago. I chanced upon his 800-page autobiography, “A Drifting Life”. I was so excited and overwhelmed. It was like meeting up with a long lost friend again!! I read the book with much anticipation. I found “A Drifting Life” to be truly inspirational and my admiration for the man grew. Despite the trials and tribulations he encountered throughout his life, he persisted in his craft of telling good stories and drawing them. I was extremely moved by his love and passion.

When I reached the end of the book, I chanced upon Tatsumi sensei’s picture. Smiling at me, was an elderly gentlemen, his face propped up with his hands. Then I was struck by an idea. What if I made his life story into a film? I went back and spoke to a few of my Japanese friends regarding contacting Sensei. They agreed to write to him. It proved to be more difficult than I thought. I didn’t hear back from any of them. Then suddenly, after a few months, one of my friends Mr Masato Yamamoto called up and told me that he had received a fax from Sensei. My hopes were rekindled!

A meeting was arranged by Masato to meet up with Sensei. I then flew to Tokyo and had a three hour conversation with him, through a translator, in a café at the Jimbocho area. My heart was racing as multitudes of “what ifs” appeared in my head before we met. Fortunately, our meeting turned out well. Sensei is a pleasant and gracious man. At the end of it, he gave me his blessings.

From then onwards, it was no turning back. It has been two and a half years since we met. During this time, I have been on an incredible journey, working on my first animated film. The production period has been the longest of any of my film projects but it has given me fresh perspective as a film maker. I have also grown accustomed to calling Mr Tatsumi, “Sensei”. It is a term that the Japanese use to address a teacher or someone who is accomplished and whom they respect. For me, I cannot find a better word for a man who has taught and influenced me so much through his works. The film opened in the UK over the weekend. I hope audiences will embrace Tatsumi’s work and find as much joy watching the film as we have found making it.