By David Adams | Echo
"Do you want to build a snowman?" Or perhaps you just want to meet the man who did-and brought it to life on the big screen. Either way, you're in luck.
Chris Buck, the Oscar-winning co-director of "Frozen," will present a series of lectures tomorrow and Sunday at the Robert Goldstine University of St. Francis (USF) Performing Arts Center in Fort Wayne. "A Weekend with Chris Buck" is jointly presented by the School of Creative Arts at USF and the Fort Wayne Cinema Center.
Buck opens the weekend Saturday morning with a Cinema Center members-only brunch. At 7 p.m., he'll host a "Frozen" screening followed by a sing-along and Q&A session.
"We wanted to do something to enrich the community and really show off what it was about 'Frozen' as a theatrical experience that made people really excited to go to movie theaters again," said Fort Wayne Cinema Center executive director Jonah Crismore.
Saturday evening's lecture will focus on "Frozen" and the phenomenon it's become, Crismore said. Audience members can submit questions for Buck and RSVP for the event on the Cinema Center's Facebook page.
On Sunday at 2 p.m., Buck will present as part of USF's series of "Closer Look" lectures. He will share about storytelling, the animation business and the creative process that made "Frozen" so successful, according to Matt White, computer arts instructor at USF. The lecture is geared toward high school and college students interested in animation as a career.
"Living out in the Midwest, we feel so separated from all that (the animation industry)," White said. "Now we have this amazing director to come in and talk personally about what we worked on, creating a connection to the industry. It really humanizes animation."
Despite the dancing snowman, "love expert" trolls and other kid-friendly elements, Crismore said the film was highly successful because it appealed to a wide audience.
The film grossed nearly $1.3 billion over its 34-week theatrical run and subsequent home release, according to Box Office Mojo.
Crismore and White encourage audience members to arrive early. The capacity of the 2,000-seat performing arts center is more than enough, but weekend parking in downtown Fort Wayne tends to evaporate like a snowman who loves summer.
Both events are free and open to the public. Concessions will be available.
Schedule
"Frozen" screening, sing-along, Q&A - Saturday, 7 p.m.
"Closer Look" lecture - Sunday, 1 p.m.
Location
Robert Goldstine University of St. Francis Performing Arts Center
431 W. Berry St., Fort Wayne
Parking
Free parking across Berry St. from the Performing Arts Center
For more information
