Lahore-Chloe Leseur is a graduate of femis in cinematography and passionate about animation. Chloe is drawn to stop-motion animation starting with her graduation project ‘Lou’ in 2011. Lou was a story of blind woman and her struggles to try and fit in a world where no one is like her. Chloe is in Pakistan these days for the Lahore International Children’s Film Festival. In an exclusive interview with The Nation she talks about her career and success. Following are the excerpts of the interview:

What makes a film great to you?

What makes a movie great to me is when it makes me care for its characters and their lives. I think what makes a good movie great is the storytelling.

Tell us about your film ‘Lou’ which was released in 2011. Share about the story line.

My film Lou was the story of a blind woman and her struggles to try and fit in a world where no one is like her. She finds the strength to reach out to the world but is rejected.

You always make films on the

children’s lifestyle? What attracts you to this genre?

I find animation to be a very versatile genre. It is possible to tell stories with this medium that are impossible to do with real-life actors. The making of such a movie, using props is also fun and entertaining.

Your film is showcased at LICFF in Pakistan? How was the response?

The children appeared to have enjoyed the movie which was great to witness. I was very pleased to be showcased in this festival and honored to have been invited by the organizing committee.

When inspiration is warning and when you feel creativity what do you do? How do you stay fresh?

When I feel difficulties in finding inspiration I try to take a step back from work and do things that I enjoy. Watching movies and taking walks in crowded places is a nice way of finding new ideas.

There are very few original stories in the world made on kids. How do you stay fresh of an idea like that?

It is hard to find new stories in the sense that all the plots seem to have been written. But there are always new perspectives for stories to be told, as an event can be seen through many different angles and I try to find these different perspectives on old stories to create something new.

What is your favourite part of the process working with animators

visually or working with the voice

to flesh out the character?

Working with other people on my work is always interesting because it’s the time when other people’s ideas come in and add layers to the plot and characters. It’s always fascinating how that can happen and how little control one seems to have on a story one’s written.

Tell us something about your

film ‘TIS’?

TIS struggles and manage to free himself from the sheet of paper, but his feet remain attached to it. In the distance, he sees a crowd of beings similar to him. TIS tries to catch-up with them but the sheet of paper he is attached to hinders his movement. There is only one character and voice actor in this film.

Why did you decide to make

this film in 3D?

I’ve worked in 3D since I graduated, the technical aspect of it has always been interesting to me and the depth it adds can create more intense emotions in the viewer if properly used.

Your film won award share your

experience?

I was very happy that my film was selected at the festival, and even happier to have been invited. It’s always rewarding to present one’s project and to see how people react, though it is also a bit stressful.

 

Chloe at Lahore International Children’s Film festival.