Reel Opinions – david bunting
Animator David Bunting is the artist behind the FF Slate Film “No One Is An Island”. We caught up with him for the Animation Edition of our Insight Blog to find out his opinions on the state of the industry right now.
The hardest part about filmmaking is...
The truth is nothing about making a film is easy, and short filmmaking is an opportunity to experiment and push your craft further. If I had to pick one thing, it would have to be the story, but that’s also the part I love the most! The hardest part of telling ‘No One is an Island’ was condensing a fascinating 4-hour interview into 10 minutes. Doing this was a collaborative process, working closely with James McKay, the scientists, and a brilliant editor to find the essence and themes that make this film special.
What is your favourite quote?
In our film, we use an incredible quote from renegade economist Kate Rainworth: "The most powerful thing in economics is not money or even algebra but a pencil because with a pencil you can redraw the world.” Bringing worlds to life is the gift of drawn animation. What’s unique and so exciting in this film is we are drawing science-informed future worlds that have the potential to become reality.
What film festival experience has stayed with you, and why?
Probably the sadly bygone, Bradford Animation Festival at the National Media Museum. It mixed diverse inspiring films, masterclasses, and opportunities to mix with the industry. It was big enough to attract the best in the business and small enough to meet them. BAF was a gateway to meet wonderful people, some of whom I’m lucky to call friends and colleagues now. That’s how important festivals are.
What makes you want to see a film?
Cinema is such a communal experience. I love sitting in an auditorium with people from all walks of life. In a world that increasingly tries to divide and polarise us, great films have the power to remind us we are all one people and there is more that unifies us than divides us.
What is some career advice you wish you could give your younger self?
This film marks my 25th year working in the animation industry. To my young shy self, believe in yourself a little more. Enjoy the highs, expect the lows and build resilience, realising it’s in the journey where you learn. I’d also remind myself to find strength in the people around me. Unlike many of my contemporaries, I’m not a designer-director, but partnered with the artistry of James McKay, we’ve both been able to become more than the sum of our parts. The truth is, there’s no one way to direct. In an industry that can stereotype people, short filmmaking is a great way to break out of the confines of commercial animation and discover your unique artistic voice.
If filmmaking was an animal, what would it be?
Animated filmmaking is a team sport, so I’d say a bird. Flying in flocks, they travel the distance together, supporting each other, reaching extraordinary heights. A bird special to James McKay, my filmmaking partner, and I is the McKay’s Bunting! We complement each other’s strengths and share a special artistic partnership, so it’s fitting that this rare white snowball is shrouded in mystery.