Musivision Films

The crowdfunding campaign for the first-ever documentary on Oscar-nominated film director Gerald Potterton's life and career is now underway on Kickstarter.

Gerald Potterton: The Flying Animator is an intimate and spirited portrait of the man whose pioneering work as an animator and director has made an indelible impact on the scope and scale of animation film, through his work on Heavy Metal (1981), Yellow Submarine, The Railrodder with Buster Keaton and many other films and TV series.

"Gerald's work has been seen by millions and influenced an entire generation or two and worked with many animation professionals  working in the animation industry today today," said director Laurie Gordon (Ryan's Renaissance, Spare Change).

 "We're really excited to be exploring his rich and varied life and career in a documentary for the first time, and we hope that you will join us in our quest to make that happen."

Gerald Potterton directed the cult classic Heavy Metal (1981) and has been nominated for three Academy Awards in the animation category, during a career spanning close to seven decades. He directed Buster Keaton in his final film, worked directly or indirectly with Susan Sarandon, John Candy, Vincent Price, and Ringo Starr,  to name a few, as well as a who’s who of animation fellow  industry giants including John Bruno and Richard Williams. Potterton’s work inspired a South Park tribute episode. Gordon and her crew have been granted unprecedented access to some of Gerald's closest collaborators, along with never-before-seen archival material. Now in his eighth decade, Gerald continues to work as a freelance director-animator from his home outside of Montreal, where he builds and flies model airplanes.

Gerald Potterton: The Flying Animator is the culmination of years of work by Gordon, a longtime friend and collaborator of Gerald. She has worked on the project since 2011, accumulating many hours of interviews with Gerald as well as Nelvana co-founder Clive Smith and documentary pioneer Terence Macartney-Filgate.

"When I first met Gerald I immediately struck by his humility and wonderful sense of humour," says Gordon. "The title of The Flying Animator captures some of those qualities, including Gerald's passion for flying that we hope to share with you."   

The feature-length documentary is slated for a fall 2016 release. The Kickstarter campaign has a funding goal of $30,000 and will help cover travel expenses for the crew to conduct additional interviews and production costs.

Backers will have the chance to receive unique rewards, including films, autographed posters, canvas prints of Gerald's original oil paintings, and a chance to have a dinner with Gerald and the filmmakers.

Information: geraldpottertondocumentary.com

KICKSTARTER The Flying Animator

About Musivision

Musivision is a production company based in Montreal Canada.

Contact: Tom Llewellin // 514.797.6192 // tom.llewellin@icloud.com

Laurie Gordon //  514.260.0848

musivisionfilms@gmail.com

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