An ‘Animated’ Fall Break in Canada
Alisa Crider ’10 traveled to the University of Manitoba and conducted research on animator Richard Condie for a book she’s writing.
By Maura Bradley ’11 | October 15, 2009
Megan Z. Shearin
Virginia Wesleyan College senior Alisa Crider from Virginia Beach, Va., can cram a lot into three days.
Over fall break, Crider traveled to Winnipeg, Canada. She conducted research on animator Richard Condie, a two-time Oscar nominated producer for best animated short film, for a book she plans to write. She experienced Canada’s Thanksgiving. And even squeezed in a trip to Winnipeg’s beach.
Her three-day adventure was for a communications course, “The Documentary Tradition: Animation Documentaries.” Tasked with writing a book about an animator, Crider, a communications major, searched four different libraries for information relating to Condie.
She found nothing.
That roadblock didn’t stop Crider, though. She kept researching.
Crider discovered that in 2005, Condie donated an array of pieces to the University of Manitoba, including drawings, award notifications, exhibition programs, publication and periodical information related to a number of his films.
“I feel so fortunate that both schools supported my undergraduate research project and supplied adequate funding. I will never forget the experience and I look forward to writing the book!” - Alisa Crider“I contacted the head of Archives & Special Collections, Shelley Sweeney, at the University of Manitoba, to see how I could get my hands on the information,” said Crider. “She told me she could photocopy some materials, but encouraged me to go to the library myself.” The University of Manitoba graciously offered her a $600 grant to help fund the trip.
Crider immediately approached her professors about the possibility of conducting research in Canada. They encouraged her to try and secure funding from the Virginia Wesleyan College Undergraduate Research Program. She submitted a grant proposal, requesting the College match $600 from the Canadian University.
“I immediately wanted in, and I knew there had to be some way I could come up with the rest of the funding,” said Crider. “Sure enough, I received a grant from Virginia Wesleyan and I booked the trip.”
Crider, with her mom as a travel partner, arrived in Canada with snow falling on the ground. In a 2009 GT Mustang car rental, the duo drove through the flurries to their hotel, already expecting an exciting trip.
For two full days, Crider sifted through the library’s archives on Richard Condie’s work. She was unexpectedly invited by Sweeney to a Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday evening. During the dinner, Crider had the opportunity to meet Sharon Condie, Richard Condie’s older sister.
Richard Condie is a two-time Oscar nominated producer for best animated short film, La Salla and The Big Snit.“I was thrilled to meet Sharon because I had initially planned to interview Richard Condie himself, but regretfully he was very ill during my visit,” said Crider. “I also had the privilege of conducting face-to-face interviews and received information from several of Condie’s collaborators.”
One of her notable interviews was with Dr. Gene Walz, professor of English and Film at the University of Manitoba, and author of Cartoon Charlie: The Life and Art of Animation Pioneer Charles Thorson. Walz is a friend of Condie’s and frequently shows Condie’s films in his animation classes.
Crider spent her last day in Manitoba traveling north outside of Winnipeg, since the library was closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. She returned to Virginia Beach late Sunday evening and was ready for class again on Monday.
“I feel so fortunate that both schools supported my undergraduate research project and supplied adequate funding,” said Crider. “I will never forget the experience and I look forward to writing the book!”