Pas de Deux

author: Norman McLaren

Norman McLaren, a pioneering Scottish-Canadian animator and filmmaker, created the experimental short film “Begone Dull Care” in 1949. Collaborating with jazz musician Oscar Peterson, McLaren employed a direct animation technique, painting and scratching images directly onto the film stock, to synchronize visual elements with the dynamic music. The film is a vibrant and abstract exploration of color, shape, and movement, showcasing McLaren’s innovative approach to animation and his ability to merge visual and auditory elements seamlessly. “Begone Dull Care” stands as a testament to McLaren’s influential contributions to experimental animation and his ability to create a synesthetic experience through the marriage of sound and image.