Endicott Redux

Through the Cobweb Forest: Chapter Nine

Collaborators Connie Toebe and Lisa Stock have just posted Chapter Nine of "Through the Cobweb Forest," their flash animated narrative of a woman searching for her missing husband through a mysterious forest. For those of you who might be new to the series, this is a wondrous journey through a Victorian-inspired tale, complete with haunted houses, ghosts, and forests of surreal beauty, all accompanied by plinth's eerie and lovely soundscapes.

For those of us who have been following the series: This is the second to last chapter, and we find Helena making the most daring choice of her time spent in the forest. The ghost and the women in the lake have spoken, but now it is Helena's turn. What will she say to her beloved and what will she decide to do?"

The Weepies

Here's a sweet little video to start your week with a smile. The animation is produced and directed by Joseph Gaffney; the song is "The World Spins Madly On" by The Weepies.

Metamorphosis #12: The White Hare

Here's a sweet little animation by Matthew Simkins for Seth Lakeman's magical song "The White Hare." I'm a big Seth Lakeman fan, not least because he's a Devon lad, writing songs that are often based on the myths, legends, and history of Dartmoor (where I also live). You'll find another good Lakeman video posted on Endicott's MySpace page.

More information on the "three hares" symbol that you see on the medallion in the video can be found here. More information on hare mythology and folklore is here. For wonderful mythic fiction involving rabbits and hares read The Limits of Enchantment by Graham Joyce, Hannah's Garden by Midori Snyder, and Medicine Road by Charles de Lint, illustrated by Charles Vess.

Speaking of good videos, don't miss the Ojos de Brujo peformance on Midori's MySpace page. It's a killer. Have  a good weekend!

Canadian magic...

Madame Tutli-Putli is a "metaphysical adventure" by the Montreal-based film-makers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski. This gorgeous work of stop-motion animation picked up two prizes at the recent Cannes film festival. Go here to see a short trailer for Madame Tutli-Putli, and interviews with the film-making team. (With thanks, once again, to Alan Lee for the link.)

Through the Cobweb Forest: Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight of  Through the Cobweb Forest by Connie Toebe and Lisa Stock is now online. Oh Helena! She has traveled far to find her missing husband, but once finding him sleeping amidst the trees, she wonders if her journey has not changed her too much. What should she do? Wake him and be rescued and returned to her old life? Or seek a different sort of rescue following the haunting song of the Fallen Woman?

Once again Connie's Victorian flash animation (totally steampunk in my estimation...as though the layered images were plucked from a stereoscope) is lovely and spooky with fog, glimmering forests, and lightning. Lisa has captured the elegant longing of Helena's voice in her journal, and plinth has added a lovely and moody ambiance in the new soundscapes.

Women In (Western) Art

This is certainly making the rounds but oh, it is so amazing to watch that I couldn't resist posting it here. (Special thanks to Gregory Frost, who knew we'd appreciate it.)  The director is eggman913 and more of his films can be found on You Tube.

Through the Cobweb Forest: Chapter Seven

Are you hooked like me on Through the Cobweb Forest, my favorite flash animated story of a woman on a journey through a mysterious forest? Artist Connie Toebe and author Lisa Stock now have chapter seven up and it's gorgeous. What's more, this dynamic duo is joined by British musician plinth, who has created unique soundscapes that perfectly match Connie's surreal-Victorian landscapes. His work will be featured on the next few chapters, so be sure to have your speakers turned up as it is really special.

Lisa Stock: The Film Odysseys

Lisa Stock of "Into the Cobweb Forest" has begun producing The Film Odysseys Series of short, dreamy fairy tale films. You can watch her film "Scheherade" either here in Quick Time which will give you a higher resolution, or a lower resolution on YouTube. I am looking forward to the whole series! Don't forget to turn the sound up. (I totally love the Sirens by the way!)

Into the woods...

The London-based artist Rima Staines has created an enchanting animation for Polly Paulusma's song "The Woods," a single off the forthcoming album Fingers and Thumbs. If you have a fast Internet connection, you can see the animation in full here. A smaller version is available on Polly Paulusma's MySpace page. To see more of Rima's work (paintings, drawings, prints, etc.), visit The Hermitage website.

Rima also sends news that the London Gypsy Orchestra will be performing this Friday night, April 27, at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies. The concert starts at 7:30 pm and admission is free. See the Events section of the LGO's website for more information.

Cobweb Forest: Chapter Six

Connie Toebe and Lisa Stock have just posted the sixth chapter in their ongoing Gothic mystery, Through the Cobweb Forest. Still searching for her missing husband, Helena continues her journey through the eerie forests and haunted lakes. She encounters fish swimming in trees, ghosts in abandoned houses, and sirens beneath the surface of green lakes. This is a really amazing and delightful collaboration. Connie's interactive flash animation is gorgeous and Lisa's narrative, told in Helena's letters and journal entries, is wonderfully Victorian, ala Wilkie Collins.

And here's a bit of Cobweb Forest behind the scenes from Connie: "Now more than half way through the adventure, Connie and Lisa have been on the journey in more ways than one. For those who may not know us by face -- that is Connie in the green dress appearing as Helena, and Lisa in the red dress appearing as the ghost, throughout!"

Connie Toebe will be at WisCon this year. She says to be sure to stop by the art gallery (where you can see and purchase her evocative boxes) and say Hello, or check out the panels where she'll be discussing her work. Connie is also creating the artwork for the recipients of the Tiptree Awards, Shelley Jackson and Cartherynne Valente. Visit Connie's website to see more of her art.