An Interview with Sausage Director Robert Grieves

Sausage, a multi award winning retro animated short employs boundless humour and action to explore issues of food ethics. The idyllic market square of two artisan stallholders is invaded by a slick fast-food vendor. What methods must these traditional providores invent to battle for their livelihoods? The turf war brings them together through one truly original idea, embracing darker and suggestive humour to deliver the winning blow. We spoke to Sausage director Robert Grieves about making the short film…

Where did the idea for a “SAUSAGE” come from?

I spent a couple of days brainstorming ideas for a story as I knew I wanted to make a short film. I’d originally expected to find a narrative out there somewhere, as I’m not a writer, but nothing quite gave me the elements I wanted to achieve. So I sat with the help from a friend (Steve Moles) to thrash out initial concepts, and he was great a pulling out of me core ideas that were in my head. First came the basic character structure, then the general market setting, and importantly the films main punch line. Once I had those parts in place I was able to work to build all the action, events and characters around them. Like many things in film and animation, it came from a process of study and work, with the right injection of inspiration.

Can you tell us about the process of making the film?

Well the film started 5 years ago, when I created it partly for my Masters course, partly from a personal drive to make a film. I finished it in about 4 months to submit for my Masters, and although it got a Distinction, it was far from the film I wanted to make. So it took a further 2 years to complete to a standard I was happy with, which then went into over a year of the festival circuit…

I created the design and animation by myself, and because this was the first time I’d developed a project with character design and animation to this depth, it was a very slow process. I had advice with script and animation, but the hours at the computer were all mine.
After a long search I found a brilliant team to create the sound design and music, as those are areas I have no skills. I did however sit in on all the audio sessions to guide where needed, so worth remembering how much time that involves…

Is there anything you would change about the film?

I spent a long time fixing things I wanted to change, which is why it took me so long. I’ve settled at a point where I’m comfortable with the areas of imperfection, and of course there are plenty of them.

I suppose what I’m looking forward to improving on next film is the character design, and my ignorance in this area meant I designed characters that are too simplistic for the narrative, they just don’t have the dramatic range required to bring the narrative to life.

What inspired the design style of SAUSAGE?

I was inspired by 50’s illustration back in my degree days at Brighton Uni, and then after years working in animation started to realise who incredible the animated films of that period were too. I’d been researching online for a while in prep for SAUSAGE when a book came out, Cartoon Modern. That book by Amid Amidi was a revelation, not just to me but to a whole wave of animators who’ve been inspired by the aesthetic from that period. Was quite a treat for Amid to personally select SAUSAGE for film of the day on his site Cartoon Brew.

Here’s a tumblr post I made about the origins of my inspiration…
http://sausagefilm.tumblr.com/post/40122649874/back-to-the-source-of-inspiration

What’s been the most challenging aspect of making the film?

Individually – animation, writing, design, editing, they’re all skills you can work hard at to get some great results. The hardest thing for me as a first time film maker was pulling then all together. And the frustrating this is, that’s what makes a film watchable, and thus a success or not. I suggest to anyone to start small and work up, esp with narrative. My problem was having a 8 minute film (used to be longer) and realising that it wasn’t jelling together. That required a lot more work to fix, compared with a 2 or 3 minute film. What ever route anyone takes, it’s all about getting stuck in, learning from your mistakes, and then improving on them…

Have you always want to work in animation?

I actually came to animation rather late, in my mid 20’s. I’d been passionate about art and drawing all my life, and studied Illustration at Uni. But that was all pre computers, and it wasn’t till I found things like Flash and After Effect that I realised it was even an option. As soon as I started to play with them both I knew what I wanted to do, to work with motion, and one day make a narrative film.

Before computers, it seems anyone who went into animation had the drive from a very early age, as you needed to dedicate a life to it to learn the skills required. But now, anyone can sidestep from all kinds of careers to play with the medium. In the spirit of moving forward, that has to be a good thing!

What words of advice would you give to aspiring animators?

It’s sooooo much about perseverance and dedication. Thats the case with many mediums, but none more than animation, as there’s SOOOO much to get your head around. Having said that, it all starts with those first carefree experiments, be they on paper, digital or stopframe. They key to making it your life’s calling, and indeed your career, is how much you sink your teeth in and apply yourself. Talent is great, but if you’re in anyway lazy, animation’s not for you!

What projects will you be working on next?

Next projects will have a real sense of speed to them. Fast in production with much shorter screen times. SAUSAGE was an epic challenge that I relish, but goodness how I long for something I can get out with a carefree abandon. And that should of course have a fresh energy to it, so good option all round I’m sure… Check my own site RobertGrieves.com or twitter @Robert_Grieves for news of my first burst of animated energy…