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The Big Swing
The macabre tale of a child trying to overcome her fear of the swing. Produced as part of the 7th edition of the NFB’s Hothouse apprenticeship.
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Hothouse2003 - 2024 14 editionsShort, surprising and always entertaining! Watch a collection of one-minute animated shorts from our Hothouse animation mentorship program, past and present.
The macabre tale of a child trying to overcome her fear of the swing.
Produced as part of the 7th edition of the NFB’s Hothouse apprenticeship.
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writerPaula Gillgannon
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directorPaula Gillgannon
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mentoring directorLuigi Allemano
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composerDarren Fung
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musicianJohn CorbanDarren FungAmy HorveyGuillaume RoyAnna Sampson
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editorJelena Popovic
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sound editorLuigi Allemano
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infographicsSusan GourleyRandall FinnertyFred Casia
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foleyKarla Baumgardner
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recordingGeoffrey Mitchell
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music mixGeoffrey Mitchell
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re-recordingSerge Boivin
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titlesGaspard Gaudreau
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on-lineDenis Gathelier
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technical co-ordinationJulie LaperrièreSteve Hallé
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administrationGisèle GuilbaultRosalina Di SarioElaine Largie
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executive producerDavid Verrall
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producerMichael Fukushima
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associate producerMaral Mohammadian
Ages 13 to 17
School subjects
After viewing the film, discuss the meaning of the word “macabre”: the quality of having or portraying a ghastly atmosphere. Macabre works emphasize the symbols and details of death. Read a short story or poem by Edgar Allan Poe; then, citing the short film Big Swing as inspiration, ask students to create a short story or poem entitled “The Swing.” Record the completed pieces or present them live, in front of an audience or on the public address system in the school.
More educational content
The Big Swing, Paula Gillgannon, provided by the National Film Board of Canada