Pro and Con explained

Pro and Con
Director:Joanna Priestley
Joan C. Gratz
Producer:Joanna Priestley
Joan C. Gratz
Narrator:Lt. Janice Inman
Allen Nause
Music:Chel White
Cinematography:Joanna Priestley
Joan C. Gratz
Editing:Joanna Priestley
Joan C. Gratz
Studio:Priestley Motion Pictures (1993)
Distributor:Microcinema International (2005)
Runtime:9 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

Pro and Con[1] is a 1993 9-minute 16mm short animated film produced, directed and animated by Joanna Priestley[2] and Joan C. Gratz[3] using drawings on paper, pixillated hands and object animation. The "Pro" section of the film was written by Barbara Carnegie and Joanna Priestley[4] and narrated by Lt. Janice Inman.[5] The "Con" section was written by Jeff Green and narrated by Allen Nause. The sound was designed and produced by Lance Limbocker[6] and Chel White[7] with music by Chel White. Pro and Con was commissioned through the Metropolitan Arts Commission's Percent for Art Program in Multnomah County, Oregon.

Synopsis

Pro and Con investigates life in prison through two monologues: one by a corrections officer (Lt. Janice Inman), and the other by Oregon State Penitentiary inmate, written by Jeff Green. The guard is concerned both with the inability of our current prison system to deal with the increasingly violent nature of crime and the cyclical nature of crime within families. The inmate reflects on the isolation he feels- how much he misses not only his wife and family, but also such mundane activities as riding in a car. Pro and Con features self-portraits that were drawn by inmates at the penitentiary and object animation of weapons and crafts that were confiscated from inmates.

Release

The film was re-released on DVD in 2005 by Microcinema International, and was screened in a retrospective of Priestley's work at the OpenLens Festival in 2009.[8]

Reception

Stephen Holden of The New York Times called the film "another outstanding short by Joan Gratz and Joanna Priestley".[9] Rebecca S. Albitz, of Pyramid Film and Video called the film "a brief but excellent exploration of the thoughts and emotions of those working and living in our prison system."

Awards and recognition

Festivals

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pro and Con (Short 1993) - IMDb.
  2. Web site: Joanna Priestley.
  3. Web site: Joan C. Gratz.
  4. Book: Lenburg, Jeff. Who's who in animated cartoons: an international guide to film & television's award-winning and legendary animators. Hal Leonard Corporation. 2006. illustrated. 144. 9781557836717. registration. Pro and Con, Joanna Priestley.. 16 January 2010.
  5. Web site: Janice Inman.
  6. Web site: Lance Limbocker.
  7. Web site: Chel White.
  8. Web site: OpenLens 2010. OpenLens Festival. 17 January 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100926163125/http://openlens.proscenia.net/07archive/Joanna_Priestley.htm. 26 September 2010.
  9. News: Review/Film. Holden. Stephen. 4 December 1993. New York Times. 17 January 2010.