Invasion of the Space Lobsters (2005)
Janet Perlman's Short Animation Classic About Good Communication
Aug 5, 2009
Invasion of the Space Lobsters begins with your typical Canadian family enjoying a sunny, suburban afternoon. Dad is having trouble assembling the new barbecue and Mom is yelling for pizza instead of hot dogs. What ends up being served, however, is an gigantic side dish of alien lobsters looking to make contact with their human friends from across the galaxy.
First Contact Gone Wrong
As with most first contact scenarios, our friendly neighbourhood giant alien lobsters have difficulty communicating with humankind. A crowd forms around the aliens until the RCMP is called in to investigate followed by an arbitration lawyer. The situation worsens as negotiations get so mired in legal gobbly-gook that someone from the crowd goes bezerk. The aliens take this for a form of communication, go bezerk themselves and create a panic among Canadian folk.
It’s All About How We Talk to One Another
This short film was produced by the National Film Board of Canada with participation of the Canadian Labour Congress. The point is clear: whether it be negotiating the end of a strike or speaking to alien lobsters from another planet, first contact can only succeed if the communication is clear, simple and straightforward.
Janet Perlman - Writer, Director and Animator Extraordinaire
Janet Perlman currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Her work has received international acclaim as well as an Oscar nomination. Janet is also writer and illustrator of a series of "penguinized" fairytales such as "Cinderella Penguin" and "The Emperor Penguin's New Clothes". She is currently set to release her latest book, “Delicious Bug”, based on her award-winning film, “Dinner for Two”.
The New Face of the National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is proudly celebrating its 70th birthday by joining the next frontier in Canadian broadcasting – the Internet. The NFB has opened up its treasure chest of old favourites and forgotten classics for free online viewing. Canadians can also view new releases and subscribe to the NFB newsletter, RSS feed and blog. This site is funded in part by Heritage Canada’s Canadian Culture Online.
Credits for "Invasion of the Space Lobsters"
- Voice Actors: Thor Bishophric, Adrian Burhop, Mark Camacho, Craig Francis, Reveena Rothman-Rudnicki and Jane Wheeler
- Writer, Animator and Director: Janet Perlman
- Original Music and Sound: Judith Gruber-Stitzer
- Executive Producer: David Verrall
- Producer: Michael Fukushima
- Produced by the National Film Board of Canada with participation from the Canadian Labour Congress
- Running Time: 6min 47s
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