redridinghood >>
Donna Leishman
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||| HIAFF 3.0 | university of colorado | department of art and art history | digital arts area | in conjunction with alt-x | atlas | blurr
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[Reviews] No longer is the big, bad wolf the only antagonist. Donna Leishman
has taken a childhood fairytale and twisted it into something incredibly more
mature. Little girls still need to beware of wolves, but there are other
things
to fear now. "RedRidingHood" may be an adaptation, but it is so original and
relevant that the older story easily becomes yesterday's news. Leishman's
digital narrative combines a linear storyline with non-linear
surprises. "RedRidingHood" reveals not only today's morals, but a necessity
for
interaction within storytelling.
Leishman created this narrative in Flash while incorporating her traditional
drawings and sketches. The animation of these drawings is superb. Red's heavy-
footed walk and the subtle sound of lip-licking, leaves little room for
feeling
anything but anxious. Like Dorothy in the poppy field of Oz, Red falls asleep
beside oddly shaped flowers. The viewer must then choose whether to wake her
or
let her dream. Red's dreams are not comforting, but if awoken Red must face
her
future with the threatening, wolf-like boy. Somewhat like a video game, this
narrative depends on the interaction of the viewer, or the story becomes
stagnant and immobile. Although an active component to the story, it is not
the
participant but fate that ultimately controls Red's life. The end is
predetermined, and neither the participant nor Red can save her from the
story's outcome.
Of all digital narratives, Leishman's is simply one of the best. Entertaining
and extremely provocative, the viewer does not want the story to end, and when
it does, hopes desperately for a sequel. The flawless animation coupled with
funky club beats tells a story without words or text. Red's tale is a visual
one, one that is impossible to forget. Perhaps it is the story's shear
professionalism and clean graphics that makes it a favorite. Or perhaps it is
simply Red's story, one that the viewer recognizes as relevant, sensual and
real.
By Kendall Pata
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