Six friends document their thoughts, their feelings, or daily happenings, on a month-by-month basis all through the medium of Direct-on-Film Animation. That is: painting, animating, scratching, scribbling, sketching, coloring, and/or drawing directly onto a roll of clear 16mm film leader. A bad break-up might be recorded as thick, black acrylic paint painfully scratched off with a blunt knife. A great date might be remembered as red lipstick kisses, a promotion might be recorded with paper-confetti, a cartoon hand sticking their thumb up, or a simple wash of icy blue ink expressing their relief... No matter what happens: each reel will be unique and specific to each person, their imagination, and their art style (or… lack thereof).

The reels are is not only art in practice, but a pact between friends to come as they are and bear witness to each other's lives. It also serves as an introduction to the wonderful world of physical film and an investigation into direct animation itself. We’re inspired by the work of: Norman McLaren and Evelyn Lambart, Jennifer West, Stan Brakhage, Len Lye, Jodie Mack, and Jennifer Reeves we set out to join and expand the long lineage of handmade cinema. 

Film “Leaders” Brandon and Hillary create “Film Kits” that include pre-measured reels, a film core to spool onto, and two handy clips. There is one roll per season resulting in approximately one minute and twenty-three seconds of footage per participant per reel (or five minutes thirty-three seconds per participant cumulatively).

• Roll #1 | "The Fall" from September 2026 to November 2026

• Roll #2 | "The Winter" from December 2026 to February 2027

• Roll #3 | "Spring Roll” from March 2027 to May 2027

• Roll #4 | “Summer Roll" from June 2027 to August 2027

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