Interview with Richard Vaucher
Richard Vaucher is a classic example of an independent filmmaker. Passionate, creative, inspired, and most of all driven. After spending time working in the video game industry, Richard left to work on his independent feature film A Barbaric Tale in early 2003 and is currently in the last stages of production.
We spoke with Richard about A Barbaric Tale , the lifestyle of an independent film maker, and what he feels is in store for independent film makers in the future!
Q: Where did the interest to get into the computer graphics industry come from, and how did you manage to break into it?
A: My interest in computer graphics started when I discovered Deluxe Paint on the Amiga, I started painting pictures which looked like games screenshots. I wanted to work on a platform game...I even tried to learn programming. But that didn't go well at all...lol.
After finishing my animation course in Dublin, I decided to try my luck in video games. I applied at Rare Ltd in the UK and got a job as an animator on Donkey Kong 64 (which funny enough is a platform game.. ). Then I moved on to be concept artist on Kameo.
Q: Has it always been about computer graphics and art?
A: After leaving secondary school, I didn't know what to do, so I went to a business school (my parents guided me in that direction at first). That was a big flop. LOL. My only good marks were in drawing lessons. So I decided to go to a fine art college, where I learned all kinds of classical mediums like life drawing, clay modelling and oil painting, etc...
So I'd say since 1991, its always been about art. And since 1998, it's been computer graphics.
Q: Tell us a bit about your independent film; A Barbaric Tale.
A: This project is something I wanted to do for years , but didn't attempt to do. It was at the back of my mind until last year when I decided to go for it
I always wanted to do my own 3D film. But it was only 2 years ago that the idea for A Barbaric Tale began to take shape..
The inspiration for the film came from Conan the Barbarian and Dragon's Lair mixed together...and basically all those Heroic Fantasy movies I'd seen when I was a kid.
As soon as I came up with the design for the Skeleton character, I knew that I had to do a comedy. I realized that for my first project, it would go down better with audiences than a serious film. People seem to react well to comedy. (Pixar movies). Don't get me wrong, I love serious drama too, but in my opinion, it made more sense, for my first film, to be comical, (with a bit of drama thrown in )
It's not an artsy film. I didn't try to do something which would confuse people who are not into animation. I tried to make something which could be enjoyed by everyone,children as well as adults.
