Filmmaker Ian Skorodin's film CRAZY IND'N will be screening at the next Long Beach RAW showcase. He talks about the short animation film as well as his work as a whole. Be sure to RSVP to see his work on our screen live on Thursday, April 22nd! 

How did you first get started in film? 
Graduated from TISCH at NYU. While there, I directed a feature that premiered at Sundance and have been a struggling artist every since.

Any other films you've produced?
I produced and directed TUSHKA; a feature narrateive about a Native American activist whose house is firebombed, killing his entire family.  I have directed numerous pilots for television including two Westerns; WALKING ON TURTLE ISLAND and ESCAPED.  Both projects showcase a Native American as the hero.

Tell us about "Crazy Ind'n."
CRAZY IND'N is an animated television series that airs in Canada and Finland.  It has screened at several festivals throughout North and South America as well as Europe and Africa. The series is intended to show non-Natives what it will be like once the natives take over. Based on how Natives feel about their current colonizers.

From where do you draw inspiration for your work?
Inspiration comes from the true stories behind our great leaders, great corporations and this great country.

Do you engage in, or draw inspiration from, any other forms of art?
Sand paintings are cool.

From start to finish, explain your process; what does a typical film-making day look like for you?
A production day begins at 7am with make-up/run through with the camera operator, shooting starts at 9am, shooting continues until sun down. That continues for five days.  Editing starts when the shoot is over and ends when the picture is locked.  No real schedule exists for this, only a deadline.  This will go on for a month to a year. A heavy amount of scotch is involved as well.

When you are not filming, how do you like to spend your time?
Directing animation is a nice hobby because there are no humans around to interject their useless opinions.

All time favorite film?
ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA

What sort of film techniques/styles do you most like working with?
Animation and action flicks with chicks shooting.

Are there any film directors/producers, past or present, that strongly inform and influence your work?
Sergio Leone

Are there any specific reoccurring themes or subjects that you explore and deal with most in your work?
I deal mostly with what whitey did to everyone else.

Any previous films/collaborations that you are most proud of?
CRAZY IND'N THE SEQUEL turned out better than expected.

Why showcase with RAW?
I want different audiences to see my work.

To learn more about the film, visit his website: http://www.crazyindn.com/