Claydream

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2:14

Claydream

2022

1h 36m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Known as the "Father of Claymation," Will Vinton revolutionized the animation business during the 1980s and 90s, creating such iconic characters as the California Raisins and Domino's The Noid. But after thirty years of being the unheralded king of clay, Vinton's carefully sculpted American dream came crumbling down. Structured around interviews with this charismatic pioneer and his close collaborators, along with a treasure trove of clips of their work together, CLAYDREAM charts the rise and fall of the Oscar®- and Emmy®-winning Will Vinton Studios. Documentarian Marq Evans brings to life the battle between art and commerce in this affectionate, insightful portrait of an artist who put so much of himself into his craft.

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Critics Consensus

A satisfying primer on a fascinating life and brilliant career, Claydream shines a sympathetic -- and overdue -- spotlight on the work of a one-of-a-kind artist.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

Nov 15, 2022

3/5

Strictly as a documentary it’s conventional and a bit snoozy, but animation geeks will revel in the chance it affords to learn more about Vinton, a mostly genial chap who nevertheless had some sharp corners to his character.

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Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

Aug 18, 2022

3/5

Claydream is a reminder of a master artist and visionary who revolutionized an art form... watch in wonder.

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Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post

Aug 16, 2022

3/4

A fascinating saga, especially for fans of animation.

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Cory Woodroof

615 Film

Nov 10, 2022

This doc does a splendid job of really making the case for why Vinton’s life was just as eye-opening as his output. It avoids hero worship to really find the honest truth of what this guy was able to do, and in that, you get all the admiration you need.

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Alex Billington

FirstShowing.net

Sep 21, 2022

8/10

I'm glad this doc exists, even if it's a bit aimless, because it offers everyone a chance to learn the truth about who Vinton was, and hear in his own words the story of his studio and his dream to tell stories entirely with clay.

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Cheryl Eddy

io9.com

Sep 14, 2022

It’s juicy show-biz stuff, for sure, but Vinton makes a point of turning what was obviously an incredibly devastating blow into something positive.

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dave d

@RT34924333 Apr 30, 2024

The story of animator Will Vinton and his ups and downs is fairly standard as feature documentaries go, but for anyone who loves animated films and the making of them, this is a must. Vinton is an individual who is nuanced and that can make this feature riveting at its best moments. There are several tangents that work and add a layer of interest. Final Score: 7/10

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Aug 6, 2022

The greatest true story 01 hour: and 36 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Made of clay!!!!!!!!!!

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Marq Evans

Director

Will Vinton

Self

Craig Bartlett

Self

Chuck Duke

Self

Melissa Mitchell

Self

Bob Gardiner

Self

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Synopsis

Known as the "Father of Claymation," Will Vinton revolutionized the animation business during the 1980s and 90s, creating such iconic characters as the California Raisins and Domino's The Noid. But after thirty years of being the unheralded king of clay, Vinton's carefully sculpted American dream came crumbling down. Structured around interviews with this charismatic pioneer and his close collaborators, along with a treasure trove of clips of their work together, CLAYDREAM charts the rise and fall of the Oscar®- and Emmy®-winning Will Vinton Studios. Documentarian Marq Evans brings to life the battle between art and commerce in this affectionate, insightful portrait of an artist who put so much of himself into his craft.

Director: Marq Evans
Producer: Marq Evans, Tamir Ardon, Kevin Moyer, Nick Spicer
Screenwriter: Marq Evans
Distributor: Oscilloscope Laboratories
Production Co: XYZ Films, The McCaw, Starburns Industries
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 5, 2022, Limited
Runtime: 1h 36m

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