Vernon (WSYR-TV) - Coming off of a hit with its first animated short on the festival circuit – including a showing at Cannes – Four Directions Productions is ready to premier its second film, another project that the Oneida Nation believes helps put it on the map.
With some of the latest technology, animators have been crafting their latest film in Vernon. The production is comparable to any other generated by a big production company. Crews are building and animating characters, putting lifelike texture on them, and lighting them. One of the biggest differences between the Oneidas’ production and others are its stories.
“For me – personally – to see these characters come to life, it’s like a ‘wow moment’ for me because you hear these stories and now they’re being brought to life,” said Dale Rood of Four Directions Productions.
The stories are passed on by the Oneidas from generation to generation. Rood says making the films allows them to preserve the stories and lessons they teach.
"It also allows us to show the outside community a little bit about who and what Oneida people are all about,” Rood said.
The company won awards for its first short, “Raccoon and Crawfish.” They may need to make room for more awards for the second one, “My Home.”
The company is planning a third project that could get underway next month.
"You always hope you're not a one hit wonder and we're hoping we're not that and we're pretty confident ‘My Home’ will do very well,” Rood said.
The company hopes to one day present a full-length feature.
“My Home” will premier at the Syracuse International Film Festival next Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theater on James Street.
