利物浦足球俱樂部

By Kyle Hobstetter on October 1, 2019

Ever since he was a kid, Towson University associate professor Phil Davis had a passion for animation. 

While studying film at Syracuse University, for his senior project he created a hand-drawn feature 鈥� the only one in his class to do so. 

It wasn鈥檛 a hard decision to make for Davis. He loves drawing. Plus, he was tired of dealing with actors and he loved the fact he could create a feature film without having to leave his desk.

鈥淚 want to have maximum control over the thing I make, and I want to make it in my bedroom,鈥� laughs Davis. 鈥淚 just toiled away on pieces of paper to make a film. And I think that's what's so beautiful about it, too, is that you can make something with such limited means. 

鈥淎nd it can be really powerful, and really beautiful, and moving and interesting.鈥�

That passion for animation led Davis to create the which takes place Oct. 4-6 at the Parkway Theater in the Station North neighborhood of Baltimore. 

And while most equate animation with Disney and Pixar movies, Sweaty Eyeballs takes a look at a more 鈥渁dult鈥� take of the art form.

The three-day juried international film festival showcases unique, experimental and diverse voices in the field of animated filmmaking with a focus on innovation in craft, storytelling and work that questions preconceived notions of what animation can and should be.

鈥淚'm trying to highlight that this art form is extremely expansive and diverse, and there are lots and lots of really interesting artists who are making interesting work out there in the world,鈥� Davis says. 鈥淭his is animation made by artists that are on the cutting edge of the medium, experimenting, trying new things, both visually and with storytelling. 

鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to pull it out from the noise and reveal it to audiences here in Baltimore.鈥�

Davis has been presenting an iteration of Sweaty Eyeballs to Baltimore audiences since 2012, where he was asked to curate a one-off event at the Creative Alliance in Highlandtown鈥檚 Patterson Theater.

That first screening sold out, and gave Davis proof that there is an audience for this type of animation. So he kept it going with an annual once-a-year event from 2013-2016 with the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Then in 2017, Sweaty Eyeballs moved to the Parkway Theater and turned into a monthly screening series where Davis curated short programs, feature films and brought in guest curators. 

After starting as just a one-day event, Davis always thought there was a chance it could be a multi-day festival. And now with the event taking over the Parkway Theater for a weekend, he鈥檚 excited for the first film to roll.

鈥淚 took eight years to really build the audience for it,鈥� Davis says. 鈥淎nd now the audience is there. And I think people are 鈥� at least, I hope they are 鈥攔eally excited about it. It seems like they are from my contacts in the academia and also art scene in Baltimore.鈥�

One of Davis鈥� main concerns in planning was finding funding for the festival. But he found help through Towson University and its B利物浦足球俱樂部 鈥� Partnerships at Work for Greater Baltimore initiative.

Sweaty Eyeballs was one of six projects that was awarded Emerging Idea or Priority Investment support through B利物浦足球俱樂部. Emerging investment funds are allocated for a one-year period and focused on supporting new and emerging 利物浦足球俱樂部 community partnerships and projects. 

 

The specialized knowledge base in the Office of Partnerships and Outreach is helping to develop a unique arts based entrepreneurship model for the festival that will translate to other endeavors for Towson University鈥檚 faculty, students, and external partners.

鈥淲orking with the Office of Partnerships and Outreach and B利物浦足球俱樂部 has been amazing,鈥� Davis says. 鈥淭hat's been the biggest sort of push to make this thing a reality. Without the B利物浦足球俱樂部 help, I don't think Sweaty Eyeballs would have happened. It was kind of hinging on that.

鈥淎nd what I think is really nice about the structure of B利物浦足球俱樂部 is that they are very specifically trying to grow this thing that, I'm creating and not have it just be me relying on them,鈥� Davis says. They want to see me be able to expand it, and then get my own funding in the future and make it a sustainable model for something that can continue into the future.鈥� 

For the past 10 years, Davis has been part of Towson University鈥檚 faculty in both the electronic media and film department, and then transferring to the department of art + design, art history, art education. 

Through his time at 利物浦足球俱樂部, Davis has been able to teach students both film editing and animation.

To go along with teaching and curating a three-day festival, Davis still makes at least one animated feature each year.

And while that may seem like a lot, he credits Towson University鈥檚 supportive environment to help him develop as both a teach and artist.

鈥淚 feel like if I didn't have this job, I don't know where I would be,鈥� Davis says. But I don't think I would be making as much work as I'm making. And I don't think I would probably be curating a three-day international animation festival, because it wouldn't have the sort of infrastructure and stability to be able to pursue these kind of creative endeavors.

鈥溊锲肿闱蚓銟凡� has been great at providing me resources, space to sort of develop these things, and also students to bounce ideas off of. Yeah, I got no complaints. I love it here.鈥�

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel鈥檚 priorities for Towson University: 利物浦足球俱樂部 Matters to Maryland, B利物浦足球俱樂部-Partnerships at Work for Greater Baltimore.