Dedham Native is on Board with Animation

March 13, 2010

By Edward B. Colby
Dedham Transcript

John McGowan's animated short Sarah's Story debuted on the big screen last month at the Providence Children's Film Festival.

The Dedham native, who has long loved to draw, took up animation while taking classes at Stonehill College, where he is a senior. His film is about a young girl who imagines steering a pirate ship and fighting a dragon, and "whose passion for books inspires her to write her own so others can experience her adventures," McGowan says.

Q: How important was doodling in your creation of "Sarah's Story"?

A: It took a lot of doodles in notebooks and on storyboards before I actually started "Sarah's Story." It really helps the animation process flow smoother when you don't have to stop to think about the next step.

Q: You say you've been doodling your whole life. Has your doodling changed over time? How?

A: Well, I've always loved to draw in my free time. In middle/high school I was notorious for doodling in the margins of my notebooks, and even now, as a senior in college, I still can't resist. The biggest difference in my doodles now is that I do a lot of them on the computer. Using an electronic tablet I'm able to draw right on the screen.

Q: It seems you began working on your film, took a break, and then returned to it last fall. What inspired you to finish it?

A: It bothered me that it was unfinished, and it was really just a matter of finding/making the time to complete it.

Q: How did it feel as you sat in the audience and watched your big-screen premiere at the Providence Children's Film Festival?

A: I was really excited to see my film on the big screen, but it was also pretty nerve-wracking as I wasn't sure how the audience filled with children would react to it. To my surprise, I heard some giggles in the audience as my animation played. That was definitely the most satisfying part.

Q: What was the most difficult part of "Sarah's Story" to make?

A: The most difficult parts to make were probably the transitions. One in particular was when Sarah's book turned into the helm of the pirate ship. It took a long time, but it was worth it, because it's one of my favorite parts.

Q: Why do you like penguins so much?

A: That's a tough question... it may have something to do with one of my favorite movies, "Happy Feet."

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