Digby Webster & Lauren Orrell discuss what it was like to join forces to make their latest creation – Blockhead and Sparkles and the Flood of Tears, which premieres at the 68th Sydney Film Festival.
Congratulations on having your film Blockhead and Sparkels and the Flood of Tears selected to premiere at the 68th Sydney Film Festival. What are you most excited about in having your film screen at such a prestigious festival?
DW: I am very excited about seeing Blockhead and Sparkles at the 68th Sydney Film Festival alongside other wonderful films. I feel very proud as an artist to see my work come to life as an animated film. It’s a dream come true for me. I hope that when people watch it, it touches their hearts.
LO: Some of my best movie-going experiences have been at the Sydney Film Festival. I think there’s something really special about the atmosphere, and the way audiences connect with the films screened there. To be, even a small part of that, is very cool.
Blockhead and Sparkles and the Flood of Tears is a short animation created for children about two friends. Can you tell us a bit about how you and the film’s producer Rosie Lourde came up with the concept for this animation?
LO: Rosie called me after Digz’ work was announced as a finalist in the Archibald and she said “My friend’s work was a finalist and you should see the rest of his work, it’s so colourful and rich with these amazing characters. I think it would be amazing to build a world from that and make an animation.” She was right. The three of us sat down and went through Digby’s artworks. We picked out the characters we were most drawn to, gave them names, played around with who they might be. Then, we just threw around ideas about what the narrative might be. It was a really fun way of working.
DW: Rosie, Lauren and I wanted to create a story that celebrates friendship, and the magic that every person has inside of them. These things are important to us. After the story was written, I had a lot of fun creating the extra characters and the world of Blockhead and Sparkles. It’s a colourful & magical world. I let my crayons run wild!
Digby, you have been friends with Rosie for a long time. Why did you want to collaborate together on this project?
DW: I wanted to work with Rosie on this project because we have been friends for a long time, and we know each other’s work very well. I loved her idea of turning my artwork into an animation for children. It was a very good experience for me – working with such a brilliant team and learning how animations are made.
Lauren, you are an acclaimed actor, writer, and producer. What was it that attracted you to this project?
LO: Everything! I’m a huge fan of Digby’s work and his ideas – he’s really fun to work with and I love getting the chance to see the world and all its rich beauty through his eyes. I’ve been lucky to work with Rosie on and off in different capacities since 2013, and she’s amazing both in her way of understanding and developing stories – but also bringing together a team that cultivates a supportive and healthy work environment. I’m absolutely certain there’s nothing she can’t do.
It was great to have an opportunity to share my own experience as a neurodivergent person trying to navigate friendships in circumstances where sensory and communication difficulties are heightened. In the past, I’ve really struggled to articulate the fear and shame I feel when a friendship takes a hit because I’ve hit peak sensory overwhelm, shut down and reacted in a way that can be damaging. Even though it’s just one person’s experience of that, I hope Blockhead and Sparkles, while also being a lot of fun – offers insight into that experience from both sides.
What’s next for you both?
LO: I’m directing Exposure a short film written by and starring Caroline Levien – joined by Nicholas Hope and Pippa Grandison. All three of whom, have given incredible and powerful performances. We start the edit next week which is super exciting. And then sleep. Lots of sleep.
DW: I had an art exhibition in August in Melbourne. I collaborated with friend, Neil Tomkins. He’s a very cool, relaxed and talented artist. Unfortunately, COVID-19 and the lockdown restrictions meant we were unable to travel to Melbourne for it, but you can see some of the collaborative works at this link.
Check here for details on ticketing at Sydney Film Festival.
Image: Digby Webster and Lauren Orrell (photo credit: David Webster and Lauren Orrell)
