Tank Standing Buffalo
Animation and autobiography, Cultural Leaders Legacy Artist Award winner shares his story
This year’s RBC Emerging Artist Award winner, Tank Standing Buffalo is a self-taught Calgary-based animator and filmmaker. He is the creator of many short films including the autobiographical animated short RKLSS, which has had recent screenings at numerous film festivals including its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2020.
“I’m mostly a homebody now,” jokes Standing Buffalo. “I just stay at home and work on my art.”
One frame after the next, he focuses on each piece while creating a film instead of thinking about the sheer amount of work it takes to make animation happen.
“Usually it’s 24 frames per second—that’s 24 separate pictures that need to be drawn, coloured, deposited—it’s very time consuming,” he explains.
His art and his animation go beyond drawing cartoons—Standing Buffalo uses the medium to tell some very deep and personal stories. RKLSS tells his own story of incarceration and solitary confinement within the prison system.
Tune into this week’s Storytelling Podcast to hear the story behind RKLSS and what is to come.
About The Storytelling Podcast
Part of The Storytelling Project, this series raises awareness about Calgarians who, by living creative lives, are making Calgary a better city, affecting positive change and enriching others’ lives.
Have a story to share? Email us at submissions@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.
Part of The Storytelling Project, this series raises awareness about Calgarians who, by living creative lives, are making Calgary a better city, affecting positive change and enriching others’ lives.
Have a story to share? Email us at submissions@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.
Part of The Storytelling Project, this series raises awareness about Calgarians who, by living creative lives, are making Calgary a better city, affecting positive change and enriching others’ lives.
Have a story to share? Email us at submissions@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.
Have a story to share? Email us at submissions@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.
