Page 14 - CAMPAIGN Summer 2021

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CAMPAIGN Summer 2021
An Historic Animatic Adventure by Jason Davidson Squeaky Pedal Film Launch
Film 1 Nuclear Test Explosion Film https://vimeo.com/584200634/03ffafb5ee
To jump into the most serious film, for me both hearing the testimony and learning about the physical nuclear explosion tests this whole process is the most harrowing part for me. We therefore wanted to convey that - to make the audience feel challenged by the reality of what it’s like to experience an atomic blast. We have therefore decided to mix the powerful but clean IWM footage of the tests with animation. The IWM footage conveys the explosions in their shocking physical detail, but the animation conveys the emotions behind that. To create this, and to pay homage to the archive film footage our animator both drew and painted onto 4,500 individual frames with different drawings, colours and markings.
This, when put together with the footage, we think allows the film to both portray the outer physical experience of the blast and the inner personal impact of the tests on the veterans. It’s one of the most powerful pieces I think we’ve ever done, and we’re really proud of it.
The testimony of the veterans, especially Ron Taylor,
is so powerful we felt we needed images that matched and enhanced the narrative. I think it’s really impactful, unsettling, and will really make the audience aware of the
seriousness of being part of the nuclear tests and the harrowing impact this has had on the lives of many veterans who had to live with this experience and its impact for the rest of their lives. The footage is from a number of tests as we wanted this film to be universal, but ends with the Monte Bello test footage as this is what Roger Grace is talking about and experienced himself. I think the union flag flying on Narvik, in front of the mushroom cloud of the test, demonstrates the familiar image of the flag to the unfamiliar and incomprehensible shot of the mushroom cloud.
Film 2 Life on Christmas Island https://vimeo.com/584202288/1b727e5ed0
This was produced by our second set of animators, and we wanted this to be the antithesis of the nuclear explosion film, describing more of the camaraderie and the most positive experiences that every veteran was keen to tell us about in relation to the tests. Why did we specifically focus on Christmas Island? Well, as most of the veterans we spoke to were related to this specific test site and we had so many good pieces of audio about it, it just made sense. Not to take anything away from any of the other tests but it works very well to be specific for the nature of the film. There are so many things we wanted to get into here that the veterans talk about, from the crabs and conditions to their downtime swimming, playing music or having a beer on the beach. We also wanted to make full use of the BNTVA archive and show off this amazing asset to the viewers, and hopefully you feel we’ve been able to achieve this. We really hope the veterans will watch this and be able to reminisce and relate to many of the words and images being included. And when compared to the other film we wanted to end on a positive note highlighting the comradeship and camaraderie that existed during the tests and still exists now within the Association itself.
The story on the next page is in two parts and will be continued in the next edition of the Campaign magazine. Unfortunately, we do not know who the author is? If this is you, can you contact the BNTVA to let us know who you are please?