Encouragement Prize
La grua y la jirafa
(The crane and the giraffe)
Short Animation
Artist: Vladimir BELLINI
(Argentina)

Vladimir BELLINI
Born in Buenos Aires Argentina, 1980. After studying at University of Buenos Aires as Sound and image Designer, he now uses his time making independent animations. With his 1st animation The crane and the giraffe, he received 16 worldwide awards since April 2006. Always ready for new intriguing animation adventures!

I am so happy with this. It is such a special prize for me because TAMURA Shigeru who has won the grand prize in 1998, is one of my heroes and one of the reasons I start making animations. I want very much to thank my father, Eduardo BELLINI, who composed this magical music in real time while watching the animation. The story is quite simple, love between two beings from different worlds. I like to think it proves there is no impossible love. So…why can't a machine and an animal, a port crane and a cute giraffe fall in love with each other and live together in peace?
The image can be expanded from the observation of similarities. I supposed that the similarity between a giraffe and crane inspired the artist. The work combines a charming story with attractive illustrations in bold colors and composition. I have a favorable impression of this artist because he follows the basic premise of animation which is to tell a story with movement only. His technique and story-making still have a rough edge, but I look forward to seeing his further growth.
How old were you when you "created" something first time in your life? At that time, what did you create, and what kind of medium did you use?
I remember when I did a draw of a submarine, I was 7 years i think.. really proud of that drawing, and it had something special, I dont know what. I lost that drawing when I was dunno.. 12 or something.. I wish I didnt. It was handwritten in a4 page full of pencil colors, really good i remember.!!
What kind of tools or medium do you use now? Please tell us the reason why you choose them.
I use digital 2d , drawing on digital tablet . I really like the feeling Its almost like 2d traditional, but you dont need to waste paper, and I think that It is very important in these years, and 2d traditional can use a looot of paper, 2d digital doesnt do that. The 1500 levels of pressure give me the sensation and trace of 2d traditional, and since I am using computers since childhood i feel reeeally confortable with digital mediums, so its great.!
If you could get "dream tools/medium" for your creation, what do you wish to get?
I have what i am using now. the crane and the giraffe was made with a low-budget genius digital tablet, but with the prize awards of the crane and the giraffe, I could bought a great wacom intuos3, so i am very comfortable with these digital tablet, and also bought extra monitor so, I am really comfortable. I cant ask for more. maybe a distribution agent so I dont have to use so much time in that, and use more time drawing instead of managing my distribution.
Do you have any consistent subject matter or theme through your works? If so, please explain us.
I really like love stories, I think there is too much violence in real life to put violence in animation right now. The crane and the giraffe is my 1st animation, so o dont have more works where I can see a consistent subject, but I truly like to keep it simple. In drawing and in storytelling. I think its the best, simple love stories, with emotional content and not pretentious ideas. good honest characters where you can identify and share things with, be with them. I really like good honest guys to win.
Please tell us the most difficult or considerable part when you create your work.
I think its to get the final idea and really trust on that truly final idea, and its hard not to continue changing things. because you can continue working on one idea, but to stop and to say ok this is it, and to trust on that idea for months, thats hard for me. but if I can manage that and feel in love with that idea, I am really happy, I mean , if I get to that stage, its great, the most difficult had passed.
Have you ever felt that your work is a "media art"? Also, what is the difference between "media arts" and "traditional fine arts"?
I consider my work media art since its made involving computers -for 2d digital drawing- editing and finish formato -dvd, video, etc-. I think difference between media arts and traditional fine arts has to do with mass media 2th century new media communication ways. artworks invented with or shown with technology from 20th century, I think a big place is occupied by the computer here, from scanning 2d traditional and reformating, changing properties, etc, or directly using cgi or artificial inteligence, sensors, etc.
I think there are great things, like popular videowebs like youtube, where you can upload your own works to people around the world can watch it and feedback you. I think that is amazing, you are eliminating any intermediare, Its just your video and receptor any part of the world.. amazinng.
As an artist/creator, please tell us your approach, stance or point of view when you create your work.
It must be a simple, not pretentious story, using 2d digital and truly handmade with no keyframes or automated effects. Thats the way i really want to tell my ideas.
What is your motto?
Its not always the same, although I only made one animation, but it has to do with honest people showing true feelings where the audience can understand and take their side. I also like children as audience, They are so honest and I maybe my stories can make them laugh or express some kind of feeling, That is great.
What kind of situation in every day life do you get inspired most?
Just people in the street, most of them at public transport, or even news at the newspaper. I always look for new things, even reading books can inspire me into new stories because they show you different points of view of situations that maybe you are already thinking of, or maybe reactions of characters that you couldnt imagine that helps you to create your own ideas, or changing situations in your head. Almost everything can be an inspiration for a new idea but most of all, people.
What kind of vision do you have in your future development as the creator?
Just people in the street, most of them at public transport, or even news at the newspaper. I always look for new things, even reading books can inspire me into new stories because they show you different points of view of situations that maybe you are already thinking of, or maybe reactions of characters that you couldnt imagine that helps you to create your own ideas, or changing situations in your head. Almost everything can be an inspiration for a new idea but most of all, people.
Please name of the people, things, or phenomena that you have got most influenced by as the creator.
I was very influenced and inspired by the work of tamura shigeru, most of all phantasmagoria and glassy ocean where very motivating to start into animation.
I think all the things that happens to every person influenced that person to do the things they do, so, maybe my family also has influenced me, and every cartoon or illustration that I liked and kept, or lost and feel sorry about it.. I dontknow, the important thing is that allthings that happens to us when we are growing are important for us to move like we move and make us one way and not some other way. so maybe all people things and phenomena has got -some biger and some smaller- influenced in our lifes.









