WXFF 2020: Shir Baron
Filmmaker Shir Baron talks to us about her short film The Train to Qinling which is screening at Women X Film Festival, we hear about her creative process, inspiration behind the film and 24 hour bus ride in China.
Tell us about yourself and the work you do
I was born and raised in Israel and came to the US to pursue my studies in animation. Ringling was my dream school and I feel so lucky to have been able to attend. Before coming to the US I served as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces where I gave guidance and support to soldiers who were victims of sexual harassment, abuse and unintentional pregnancy. I later backpacked in Far-East Asia for a few months and fell absolutely in love with traveling. In order to continue traveling while saving up for college I became a flight attendant for two years and eventually came to the US to pursue my education in animation. All these experiences became my source of inspiration for many projects at school. They shaped me as a person and led me to where I am today.
What is your proudest moment of your career so far?
Seeing my film complete and my story and experience reaching others. What inspired me to pursue animation as a career was seeing people's reactions to animated films while working at the cinema. Seeing people react to my own film was the most amazing experience.
As your story was inspired by a personal experience of backpacking through Far-East Asia. I was just wondering whether you were inspired by your animation style?
My animation style for this specific short was inspired by the way I felt at first when being in a different place - I felt intimidated, small, out of place. It was a small experience that became a big inspiration for me and stayed with me. I thought a more subtle style of animation would express that moment better. The film wasn't based on this huge event, it was based on my experience getting on a 24 hour train ride in China, and being the only traveler there.
Do you have any plans to create any more animation films from your journeys whilst backpacking?
Possibly in the future. I've recently graduated and started a new job so things have been pretty busy lately. But I do believe I might create more shorts of my own in the future, and hope to get back to traveling the world when things are safer. The experiences I've gained while traveling have been some of the most meaningful moments in my life. I think there is so much you can learn by just leaving your home. Exposing ourselves to different sceneries, cultures and breaking the daily routine create unexpected moments, unexpected friendship and unexpected memories. I think experiences are the best place to pull from in creating stories, and so if I do create more shorts in the future I do see myself pulling from the experiences of backpacking.
What themes do you want to explore in your future work?
I love writing little children stories. I would like to explore more sweet short themes. I think Revolting Rhymes' animated adaptation to Roald Dahl's book is stunning.
What three things do you always have on your bedside table?
I have been moving around for the past 7 months so it's been awhile since I had a bedside table... BUT it would probably be a lamp, sketchbook and pencil.
What are you working on at the moment/next?
I am currently on animation for DreamWorks feature films. I am also helping out a bit with an amazing short film a friend is creating called "The Slide."
Tell us three things you're grateful for?
I am grateful for all the people that helped me get to where I am - whether it is my donors that helped me financially, or my mentor, Liron Topaz that mentored me as well as the faculty and staff at Ringling College of Art & Design.I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends both in the US and back home in Israel for always supporting me and having my back. I needed them and they were always there.I am grateful for all the experiences I was able to gain throughout my life. Being an older student only means I experienced more before school, and I am so grateful I was able to bring those experiences to life.
