Claydream
| Claydream | |
|---|---|
Movie poster | |
| Directed by | Marq Evans |
| Screenplay by | Marq Evans Tamir Adon |
| Based on | Will Vinton |
| Produced by | Tamir Ardon Kevin Spicer Marq Evans Kevin Moyer |
| Cinematography | Jason Roark |
| Edited by | Lucas Celler Yakima |
| Music by | Heather McIntosh Thomas Yount |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Oscilloscope Laboratories |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 96 min |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $25,871 |
Claydream is a 2021 documentary film written and directed by Marq Evans. Claydream explores the career of Oscar-winning animator, Will Vinton, known as the "Father of Claymation", as it centers around his life, how he founded his company, Will Vinton Studios, and how his downfall was.[1][2][3]
The film was produced by animation studio and production company Starburns Industries in collaboration with The McCaw and motion picture company, XYZ Films.
The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 13, 2021,[4] the Philadelphia International Film Festival on October 23, 2021, and was theatrically released on August 5, 2022, by distributor Oscilloscope Laboratories.[5]
Cast
- Adam Elliot
- Will Vinton
- Nick Park
- Bill Plympton
- Peter Lord
- David Daniels
- Craig Bartlett
- Sam Fell
- Michelle Mariana
- Jerry Beck
- Jeff Newitt
- Steve Box
- Hal T. Hickel
- Webster Colcord
- Chuck Duke
- Susan Shadburne
- Corey Brunish
- Chris Ohlgren
- Philip Marcus
- Melissa Mitchell
- William Fiesterman
- Marilyn Zornado
- Brett Shuman
- Richard Goleszowski
- Ted Berenson
- Tom Turpin
- Gary Kachelhoffer
- Fred Armisen[a]
- Carrie Brownstein[b]
- Walt Disney[c]
- Hugh Downs[d]
- Bob Gardiner[e]
- Michael Jackson[f]
- Steve Jobs[g]
- Phil Knight[h]
- Travis Knight[i]
- Robin Leach[j]
- Spike Lee[k]
- Eddie Murphy[l]
- Jane Pauley[m]
- Charlie Rose[n]
Production
The idea for the film was conceived by Evans, after reading an article in 2015, and he first connected with Vinton that same year. Production for the documentary began around 2016, with director Evans starting interviews and self-funding the project before partnering with XYZ Films, and Vinton participating until his passing in 2018. Starburns Industries began helping produce the documentary in March 2019.[6][7]
The documentary was originally titled Welcome to My Daydream during its development and Kickstarter campaign, but was ultimately changed to Claydream for its official release and film festival run, due to be more concise and perhaps to better reflect the film's broader focus on the art form and the tragic business conflict at the center of Vinton's story.[8]
Reception
Claydream was generally praised by critics. Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 93%.[9] IMDb gave it a 7.2 out of 10.[10]
Notes
- ^ Archive footage; uncredited
- ^ Archive footage; uncredited
- ^ Archive footage; uncredited
- ^ Archive footage; uncredited
- ^ Archive footage; uncredited
- ^ Archive footage; uncredited
- ^ Archive footage; uncredited
- ^ Archive footage; uncredited
- ^ Archive footage; uncredited
- ^ Archive footage; uncredited
- ^ Archive footage; uncredited
- ^ Archive footage; uncredited
- ^ Archive footage; uncredited
- ^ Archive footage; uncredited
References
- ^ Debruge, Peter (August 5, 2022). "'ClayDream' Review: A Lively Look at Stop-Motion Maestro Will Vinton for Vintage Toon Geeks". Variety. Archived from the original on October 27, 2025. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ Kenigsberg, Ben (August 4, 2022). "'Claydream' Review: Same Mold Story (Published 2022)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ Felperin, Leslie (November 15, 2022). "Claydream review – claymation genius behind California Raisins tells own story". The Guardian. Archived from the original on October 27, 2025. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ Hayes, Joshua M. (August 5, 2022). "Film Review: Claydream". Josh At The Movies. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
- ^ "'Claydream' Documentary Explores Will Vinton's Claymation Heyday". Animation World Network. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
- ^ Aguilar, Carlos (March 12, 2019). "Starburns Industries And XYZ Films Board Will Vinton Documentary 'Welcome To My Daydream'". Retrieved December 14, 2025.
- ^ "INTERVIEW: "ClayDream" Director Marq Evans On New Will Vinton Documentary - Animation Scoop". June 10, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
- ^ "Claydream Review: A Tale of Animation History, Art, and Commerce". August 5, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
- ^ "Claydream | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
- ^ Claydream, Starburns Industries, The McCaw, XYZ Films, June 13, 2021, retrieved December 14, 2025