Fursonas (film)

Last updated
Fursonas
Fursonas.jpg
Directed byDominic Rodriguez
Produced byOlivia Vaughn
CinematographyJordan Serra
Edited byChristine Meyer
Production
company
Animal Media Group
Distributed by Gravitas Ventures
Release date
  • January 25, 2016 (2016-01-25)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Fursonas is a documentary film regarding the furry fandom. Directed by Dominic Rodriguez, it was released in January 2016. It was produced by Olivia Vaughn and edited by Christine Meyer, among others. [1] [2] Fursonas follows multiple individual furries being interviewed to provide social commentary of the fandom, its common stigmas, and how it is perceived through sensational media coverage.

Contents

Production

Production of Fursonas began as a senior thesis project, started by Rodriguez while a filmmaking major at Point Park University with Olivia Vaughn and Christine Meyer. Originally a 12-minute short film, the film was expanded into a feature length documentary when the crew was awarded a 10,000 dollar grant from The Sprout Fund in 2013. [3] In 2014, Meyer and Vaughn became interns at the Animal Media Group, a production and visual effects studio. Animal allowed the crew to use their facilities to edit the footage of the documentary and later offered to be the official production company for the documentary.

Premiere

The documentary premiered at the 2016 Slamdance Film Festival, [2] and is distributed via Video on demand by Gravitas Ventures.

Reception

Fursonas was well-received, winning the "Spirit of Slamdance" award at its debut film festival [4] and receiving positive reviews from magazines Variety and Deadline Hollywood. [5] [6]

Despite a positive reception, the film resulted in its director receiving a lifetime ban from Anthrocon, the biggest furry convention in the world as of 2024. Though accused of filming at the con without consent, the ban has been seen largely as Samuel Conway's retribution for his negative portrayal in the film. [7]

Cast

(The list consists of the interviewees' fursona names, rather than their real names )

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fandom</span> Subculture composed of fans sharing a common interest

A fandom is a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of camaraderie with others who share a common interest. Fans typically are interested in even minor details of the objects of their fandom and spend a significant portion of their time and energy involved with their interest, often as a part of a social network with particular practices, differentiating fandom-affiliated people from those with only a casual interest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Furry fandom</span> Subculture interested in anthropomorphic animals

The furry fandom is a subculture interested in anthropomorphic animal characters. Some examples of anthropomorphic attributes include exhibiting human intelligence and facial expressions, speaking, walking on two legs, and wearing clothes. The term "furry fandom" is also used to refer to the community of people who gather on the Internet and at furry conventions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fursuit</span> Costume worn by members of the furry fandom

Fursuits are custom-made anthropomorphic animal costumes owned and worn by cosplayers and members of the furry fandom, commonly known as "furries"; a furry who wears a fursuit is called a fursuiter. The term is believed to have been coined in 1993 by Robert King. Unlike mascot suits, which are usually affiliated with a team or organization, fursuits represent an original character created by their wearer, and are often better-fitting and more intricately crafted, with features such as a moving jaw. Fursuits are made in a wide range of styles, from cartoonish to highly realistic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slamdance Film Festival</span> Annual film festival held in Utah, USA

The Slamdance Film Festival is an annual film festival focused on emerging artists. The annual week-long festival takes place in Park City, Utah, in late January and is the main event organized by the year-round Slamdance organization, which also hosts a screenplay competition, workshops, screenings throughout the year and events with an emphasis on independent films with budgets under US$1 million.

<i>Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story</i> 2006 American documentary

Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story is an American documentary about Megumi Yokota, a Japanese student who was abducted by a North Korean agent in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Patten</span> American animation historian (1940–2018)

Frederick Walter Patten was an American writer and historian known for his work in the science fiction, fantasy, anime, manga, and furry fandoms, where he gained great distinction through a substantial contribution to both print and online books, magazines, and other media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Furry convention</span> Formal gathering of members of the furry fandom

A furry convention is a formal gathering of members of the furry fandom – people who are interested in the concept of fictional non-human animal characters with human characteristics. These conventions provide a place for fans to meet, exchange ideas, transact business and engage in entertainment and recreation centered on this concept. Originating in California during the mid-1980s, as of 2016 there are over 50 furry conventions worldwide each year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samuel Conway</span> American chemist and furry fandom personality

Samuel Charles Conway is an American researcher in the pharmaceutical, biomedical and agrochemical fields of organic chemistry. He holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Dartmouth College. Aside from his scientific career, Conway is known for his activities in the furry fandom, having served since 1999 as chairman and chief organizer of Anthrocon, one of the largest furry conventions in the world. He is a published author, and has acted as a volunteer emergency coordinator, entertainer, and auctioneer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midwest FurFest</span> Furry convention held annually in Illinois

Midwest FurFest (MFF) is a furry convention that takes place in Rosemont, Illinois, usually on the second weekend after Thanksgiving. First held in 2000, MFF is presented by Midwest Furry Fandom Inc, an Illinois Educational Not-For-Profit Corporation that exists primarily for the purpose of holding an annual convention to facilitate education in anthropomorphic literature and art. It also facilitates the donation of funds to non-profit institutions, mainly of which promote the well-being of humans and/or animals. The convention is among the most attended furry conventions in history, peaking at 15,547 attendees in 2023.

<i>The King of Kong</i> 2007 documentary by Seth Gordon

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is a 2007 American documentary film about competitive arcade gaming directed by Seth Gordon. It follows Steve Wiebe in his attempts to take the high score record for the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong from Billy Mitchell. The film premiered at the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival and was released in U.S. theaters in August 2007. It received positive reviews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Mitchell (director)</span> American film director

Mike Mitchell is an American film director, writer, producer, actor and animator. He has directed the films Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999), Surviving Christmas (2004), Sky High (2005), Shrek Forever After (2010), Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011), The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015), Trolls (2016), The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019) and Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024).

Jeremy Osbern is an American director and director of photography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Baxter (filmmaker)</span> English filmmaker

Peter Baxter is president and co-founder of Slamdance, and a filmmaker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cullen Hoback</span> American filmmaker (born c. 1982)

Cullen James Hoback is an American film producer and director. He is also an occasional columnist and speaker. His documentary films include Monster Camp (2007), Terms and Conditions May Apply (2013), and What Lies Upstream (2018), as well as the HBO mini-series Q: Into the Storm (2021). His documentary style has been described as non-fiction horror with a comedic tone. He appears on-camera as a central character in Terms and Conditions May Apply and What Lies Upstream.

<i>Driftwood</i> (2016 film) 2016 American film

Driftwood is an American independent film written and directed by Paul Taylor. The film had its world premiere at the 2016 Slamdance Film Festival where it was awarded the Grand Jury Prize for best narrative feature.

<i>Buddymoon</i> 2016 American film

Buddymoon is a 2016 American independent comedy film directed by Alex Simmons; written by Simmons, Flula Borg, and David Giuntoli; and starring Borg and Giuntoli. It is the story of a former child actor (Giuntoli) whose fiancée leaves him days before their wedding. In an effort to cheer him up, his best friend and would-be best man (Borg) convinces him that the two of them should go on the planned honeymoon trip together.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gravitas Ventures</span> Film distribution company

Gravitas Ventures is a film distribution company owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment. The company was founded by Nolan Gallagher in Los Angeles, California in 2006 and moved its headquarters to Cleveland, Ohio in 2019. It focuses on the distribution of Independent feature films and documentaries.

<i>The Fandom</i> 2020 American documentary film by Ash Kreis and Eric Risher

The Fandom is a 2020 documentary film focusing on the history and cultural influence of the furry fandom. Directed by filmmakers Ash Kreis and Eric Risher, it was released digitally and on Blu-Ray on July 3, 2020. The film is Kreis' directorial debut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fursona</span> Personalized animal character created by the furry fandom

A fursona is a personally claimed persona resembling an anthropomorphic animal adopted by a member of the furry fandom. Fursonas can provide numerous roles for the creator. According to The New Science of Narcissism, 95% of those in the furry fandom have at least one fursona; with the Anthropomorphic Research Project estimating that the average furry has between two and three fursonas over the course of their life.

The Million Dollar Duck is a 2016 documentary film directed by Brian Golden Davis. The film follows participants in the Federal Duck Stamp contest as they create and submit work, as well as exploring the wider history and culture of the competition.

References

  1. "'Fursonas' beats Zootopia as most important furry movie, coming soon on Video On Demand". Dogpatch Press. 7 March 2016. Archived from the original on 11 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  2. 1 2 Nass, Shannon M. "Pittsburgh-area filmmakers' documentary on 'furries' to be showcased in national film festival". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. PG Publishing Co. Archived from the original on 11 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  3. "Fursonas". sproutfund.org. The Sprout Fund. Archived from the original on 8 December 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  4. "2016 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AUDIENCE AND JURY SPARKY PRIZES - Slamdance". slamdance.com. Slamdance, Inc. Archived from the original on 11 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  5. Harvey, Dennis (3 February 2016). "Film Review: 'Fursonas'". Variety. Archived from the original on 9 February 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  6. Lincoln, Ross A. (22 January 2016). "Gravitas Sews Up Slamdance Furry Subculture Docu 'Fursonas'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 21 March 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  7. "'Fursona' director takes his Anthrocon ban in stride".