Private Project

Zap On

“Zap On ” is an experimental film made by Colorado artist and filmmaker John Dawson in 2024. This short film is 100% hand made by drawing, painting and scratching directly onto 16mm film stock. It is paint with a pulse and abstraction that moves. I am taking an old school technique and trying to do something modern and current.

  • John Dawson
    Director
  • John Dawson
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Music Video, Short, Other
  • Genres:
    Arthouse, Art, underground, animation, experimental animation, experimental
  • Runtime:
    1 minute 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 28, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    150 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • FilMuzik Arts Festival
    Gioiosa Ionica, RC
    Italy
    March 12, 2024
    World Wide Premiere
  • City of Art International Film Festival
    Madrid
    Spain
    May 29, 2024
    Spain Preimere
    Official Selection
  • Extremely Shorts Film Festival
    Houston, TX
    United States
    May 31, 2024
    USA Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Eichsfelder Filmfestival
    Heilbad Heiligenstadt
    Germany
    August 9, 2024
    Germany Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Short Way International Short Film Festival
    São Paulo
    Brazil
    August 17, 2024
    Brazil Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - John Dawson

John Dawson lives just outside of Boulder, Colorado and is the son of Colorado watercolor artist Milly Dawson. His fine artworks have been shown and sold in galleries in Colorado and online as well. He worked on and off for a small commercial animation studio in Denver.

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Director Statement

My films are all about the colors, motion and having fun! I hope people are entertained and energized by all of my films. You can think of it like a ride at the amusement park or view it the same way you might view fireworks or abstract painting. Norman McLaren, Len Ley, Stan Brakhage and Steve Woloshen were all great influences and inspiration for this work.