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A Chairy Tale

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description A Chairy Tale Overview

Norman McLaren’s “A Chairy Tale” (1957) utilizes innovative pixilation animation to depict a frustrating interaction between a man and a stubborn chair. Shot in black and white, the film demonstrates a pioneering technique of photographing movement directly onto film stock. It's notable for its creative use of music by Ravi Shankar and represents a significant early example of experimental animation from the National Film Board of Canada. The short is appreciated by those interested in animation history, particularly viewers curious about pixilation and McLaren’s groundbreaking work.

help A Chairy Tale FAQ

Who directed A Chairy Tale and what studio produced it?

*A Chairy Tale* was co-directed by Norman McLaren and Claude Jutra in 1957 for the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). McLaren was the NFB's most celebrated animation pioneer, known for experimental techniques like drawing directly onto film stock. The NFB remains one of the world's most respected publicly funded film studios.

What animation technique does A Chairy Tale use?

The film uses pixilation, a stop-motion technique in which live actors are photographed frame by frame to create surreal, jerky movement. In the film, actor Claude Jutra interacts with a chair that appears to resist him through this method. Pixilation was one of McLaren's signature techniques, distinguishing his work from conventional drawn animation.

Was A Chairy Tale nominated for an Academy Award?

Yes, *A Chairy Tale* was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 1958. The nomination helped bring international attention to the NFB's innovative animation program. The film remains one of McLaren's most accessible and widely screened works.

Where can I watch A Chairy Tale online?

The film is available for free streaming on the National Film Board of Canada's website at nfb.ca, which hosts a large collection of McLaren's works. The NFB has made many of its classic shorts accessible online as part of its public mandate. It is also included on DVD compilations of McLaren's animation.

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