Ryan Rosendal found inspiration for his award-winning animated short movie, “ “Debut”,” by looking out the window of his Mukilteo home.
The lush evergreens. Waves on the bay. Whidbey Island and the Olympic Mountains.
The abund
ance of Washington’s natural beauty is what fueled his imagination and the story line in his first solo film venture.
Rosendal, 23, a Kamiak High School graduate, created “Debut” while job hunting after graduating last spring from the University of Washington. He learned about Washington Filmworks‘ 2010 Viral Video competition, “Through The Filmmaker’s Lens,” and decided to enter.
The competition’s object was to show the judges how living and working in Washington influences the filmmaking process, said Ruthann Taylor, a program manager at Washington Filmworks, a group that promotes the film industry in the state.
In five weeks, Rosendal made about 70 drawings and used a computer to create “Debut,” a story of a young man who dreams of making movies about the wilderness and beauty of Washington. The film starts quietly and then bursts to life as the main character ventures outdoors.
“I’ve always loved to draw,” Rosendal said.
He discovered his passion while flipping through “Calvin & Hobbes” comic books. He then refined his talents as an undergraduate, drawing editorial cartoons and comic strips for UW’s student newspaper, The Daily.
Before graduating, Rosendal worked on a joint project to create an animated short, “Threads,” that screened at Bumbershoot. “Debut” is a showcase of his nascent skills.
“The point of the whole project is to support and garner attention for our local filmmakers,” Taylor said. “We can elevate our local filmmakers and showcase their talent.”
Judges narrowed in on Rosendal’s film because “Debut” demonstrated in a simple, beautiful way, Taylor said. Plus, viewers have no doubts about where the film’s story takes place.
“It has these great mountains and the Space Needle,” she said. “You could tell that it’s Washington.”
Rosendal received a $3,000 prize, and “Debut” will be screened along with previews this month at several Seattle and regional art film houses. Or, people can watch it online at Rosendal’s blog, ryanrosendal.blogspot.com.
Even while Rosendal looks for work in computer graphics, he considers himself fortunate.
“I’m so lucky to be growing up here,” he said.
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3447; jholtz@heraldnet.com.
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