Characters in Oscar-nominated short brought to life by award-winning actor Colm Feore at Kitchener studio

An Oscar nomination has brought attention to a small Canadian studio and the celebrated actor who lent his voice to its latest project. The stop-motion animated short film, The Girl Who Cried Pearls, created by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, has been recognized by the Academy Awards, thanks in part to the vocal talents of award-winning actor Colm Feore.

A Voice for Many

Feore, known for roles in productions like Chicago, Thor, and the TV series Landman, voiced nearly all of the characters in the 17-minute film, which tells the story of a poor boy and a girl whose tears turn into pearls, set in early 20th century Montreal. He recorded his lines at the Kitchener, Ontario studio of Fred Smith, a long-time collaborator. According to Feore, he agreed to participate if the recording could take place at Smith’s studio.

Collaboration and Preparation

Smith described Feore as consistently well-prepared, often appearing as though he’d already memorized the script. He noted that a recording session, including social time, took only a couple of hours, and that Feore frequently delivers performances that exceed expectations on the first take. Feore himself emphasized a collaborative approach with the film’s creators, discussing their vision for each character and carefully considering nuances in the script.

Did You Know? The film’s creators, Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, previously received an Oscar nomination in 2007 for their National Film Board short, Madame Tutli-Putli.

The Importance of Voice

Lavis and Szczerbowski specifically sought out Feore for the project, recognising his ability to handle a wide range of material, citing his past roles in productions like Richard III and as Laufey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Feore approached the voice work with physicality, performing the characters’ mannerisms while watching the film to ensure a believable and “living, breathing” quality to the stop-motion puppets.

Expert Insight: The dedication to nuanced performance, even in a short animated film, highlights the enduring importance of voice acting in bringing characters to life and conveying emotional depth to audiences. This collaborative process between actor and director is crucial for achieving a compelling final product.

Looking Ahead

The Oscar nomination has been met with excitement by all involved. Smith learned of the nomination via a text message from Feore. Feore indicated he would attend the awards ceremony if invited, and also plans to attend the Screen Actors Guild awards, where his series Landman is nominated. While the outcome of the Academy Awards remains uncertain, the nomination itself is a significant achievement for the filmmakers and a testament to the power of collaborative artistry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Girl Who Cried Pearls about?

The film tells the story of a poor boy who falls in love with a young girl whose tears turn into pearls, set in early 20th century Montreal.

Who is Colm Feore?

Colm Feore is an award-winning actor known for his roles in films like Chicago and Thor, the TV series Landman, and his work on the Stratford Festival stage.

Where were the voice recordings done?

The voice recordings for the film were done at Fred Smith’s studio in Kitchener, Ontario.

What role does collaboration play in bringing a story like The Girl Who Cried Pearls to life?