Spare Change
2008
7 min
Coming soon
This animation short by Ryan Larkin (Walking, Street Musique, etc.) recounts some “comical experiences” Larkin had during his many years as a panhandler in Montreal. It tells the story of Astral Pan, a street beggar (voiced by Larkin himself), who takes us on a wild journey from the sidewalks of a wintry Montreal day, to the gates of Heaven and Hell and back. The great filmmaker passed away before finishing his film. Spare Change was completed by a friend, producer and singer-songwriter Laurie Gordon, assisted by a team of young, devoted animators. Original music by Laurie Gordon's band Chiwawa, featuring …
Details
This animation short by Ryan Larkin (Walking, Street Musique, etc.) recounts some “comical experiences” Larkin had during his many years as a panhandler in Montreal. It tells the story of Astral Pan, a street beggar (voiced by Larkin himself), who takes us on a wild journey from the sidewalks of a wintry Montreal day, to the gates of Heaven and Hell and back. The great filmmaker passed away before finishing his film. Spare Change was completed by a friend, producer and singer-songwriter Laurie Gordon, assisted by a team of young, devoted animators.
Original music by Laurie Gordon's band Chiwawa, featuring the single "Do It For Me."
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writerRyan Larkin
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initial directionRyan Larkin
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designRyan Larkin
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animationRyan Larkin
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co-directorLaurie Gordon
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design - collaborationÉric LepageYin Ko LeeTom Tassel
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animation - collaborationÉric LepageYin Ko LeeTom Tassel
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musicChiwawa
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sound designChiwawa
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producerLaurie GordonMarcy Page
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executive producerDavid Verrall
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consulting producerCraig Graham
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digital imagingRandall Finnerty
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digital imaging - assistanceSarah Marchand
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digital imaging consultationSusan Gourley
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watercoloursKristina Berey
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voiceRyan LarkinKrassy HalatchevLaurie Gordon
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recordingSatellite Records Canada
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re-recordingGeoffrey Mitchell
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live-action cinematographyRyan Larkin
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online editingYannick Carrier
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technical coordinationJulie Laperrière
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marketingMia Desroches
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administrationGisèle Guilbault
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production coordinationMarie-Christine Nadon
Education
Ages 16 to 17
Family Studies/Home Economics - Feminism
Family Studies/Home Economics - Housing
History and Citizenship Education - Culture and Currents of Thought (1500-present)
Social Studies - Contemporary Issues
Before viewing, ask students to brainstorm attitudes to homeless people and panhandling. After viewing, they can assess the film's effect on their perspectives, research related issues, and debate viewpoints. Ask writing students to respond to theme or images, in poetry. Have media and film students examine the drawing and sound techniques, and create a very short animation on any theme, using manual or digital flipbook, or other digital animation.
