Paper Cinema is a UK-based group of creatives specialising in exquisite hand-drawn, animated movies set to a live score. As their latest work Odyssey tours NZ, Renee Liang caught up with creator Nic Rawlings at the Nelson Arts Festival.
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Paper Cinema’s Odyssey, touring from the UK, hits centres around the country this month – silent cinema with live musicians, with the movie also created live with hand drawn illustrations.
Puppetry, cinematic projection and cunning tricks transform a suitcase full of cut-out paper puppets into an array of living characters and striking landscapes.
The Paper Cinema's Odyssey (Trailer) from The Difference Engine on Vimeo.
Renee Liang spoke to creator Nic Rawlings.
Why do you draw?
Because I can, I am a bit of a one stringed guitar in that sense, and I am playing it for all it is worth! In all seriousness it is a great way to react to the world to look and understand.
You've travelled a lot - do you bring that experience to bear in your conception of the Odyssey?
Yes, from time to time I have been known to leave my hobbit like existence in Dorsetshire, and yes they all go into the mix of ideas. It is good to explore and it all feeds in. I and the team are not the kind of people to work in the abstract. It is all experience. I am sure the places we have been with the Odyssey will manifest in our new work The Keys of Tobuis Brown. Though last time I left, a supermarket was built on our village cricket pitch.
Why are you drawn to this age-old tale? What relevance does it have to today?
It is old in its origins, but universal in its subjects. People are living their personal odyssey today. The tale's roots are already set in two different historic times of ancient Greece (the bronze age and the modern era). At the point of making that adaption you have to make a choice whether you believe the events happened as written or if they are allusions to the challenges that need to be overcome.
The Odyssey in principle is about what it is to be husband and wife - the trials you must overcome to keep the union, the care to you give to your house and family and how you by think your way out of problems. And how you function in unison / as equals.
A graphic novel brought to life on screen in front of an audience - have you invented a new genre?
I don't think so, all the elements are there in other fields, but we do make sure everything is made live.
Do you have a name for what you do?
We just call it the Paper Cinema - and we haven't thought more about it!
Why do hand drawn images speak so strongly to the psyche?
I believe there is a resonance built into works that are handmade, with care, attention and love this resonance builds up - though not knowingly witnessed by the viewer. It is perceived and experienced on a gut level, some with the resonance of the music - we try to keep to raw sounds as much as possible. It is impossible not to use modern technologies these days but it is wise to remember these are just another tool and to be used as such, not to be ruled by them.
Has Paper Cinema's work evolved over the ten years since you started it?
Yes massively, after doing something for ten years you find so much, this is almost too big a question and I could going into too much detail. I guess the interesting thing is to think how can we find more in the next ten years, keeping the spirit of exploration alive and kicking.
Tell me about the music. Is it the same every night?
As the narrative of the Odyssey is the backbone of the show, everything is scripted, scored and rehearsed - so we all work together for the pieces as a whole. However there are points for improvisations and with live performance the work does move around, sometimes if someone does have a partially lucid moment and goes off piste the team will follow and support - while trying to keep a straight face and wondering how to bring it round.
You've worked with the same collaborators for many years - how do you keep a long running collaboration going, any tips?
Good friendships, hard work, love for the work and making sure everyone can fulfil their creative needs, trying not to stand on other people’s dreams while your scrambling up the cliff face of yours.
You've toured all over the world. Do audiences react the same way?
There are small differences in humour and cultural references, for instant a sun with a moustache was very funny in china but not anywhere else (maybe in my head too). The greatest pleasure is seeing that all round the world people react the same (with joy) that people are people.
What are you working on next?
We are working on two pieces at the moment - The Keys of Tobuis Brown which is a nod to B-movies, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Tintin and esoteric children's programmes from the 1970's, featuring whales, Victorian inventors, female flying aces and teleportation devices. And the other only has the working title of "Space Owls" or "Lupa-lupa" which is an environmental sci-fi, looking at feedback loops, self regulating systems and biodiversity…both self penned by us.
Nelson Arts Festival
Tues 21 Oct – Thurs 23 Oct Theatre Royal
Ticketdirect
0800 224 224
Auckland
Wednesday 29 October - Saturday 1 November at 7.00pm
Live at the Lower NZI | Aotea Centre
Bookings through Ticketmaster
09 970 9700