The Sparky Book

200613 min 48 secFilm: Animation, Children's film, Fiction

Direction: Mary Lewis

Production: Annette ClarkeMichael FukushimaKent MartinDavid Verrall

Script: Mary Lewis

Co-produced by the NFB's Atlantic Centre and Animation Studio.

In Newfoundland filmmaker Mary Lewis' live action/animation hybrid short film, a talking goldfish tells us the poignant story of his best friend, Sparky the dog, and Sparky's owner, a young girl suffering from a serious illness. The dog lords an unusual reign on a harbour city, but his bond to the girl is tested when her illness takes a dark turn.

Subject categories


  • Animals > Stories
  • Family Studies/Home Economics > Aging/Death and Dying
  • English Language Arts > Children's Stories/Fables

Credits


writer
Mary Lewis
director
Mary Lewis
animator
Mary Lewis
Anne MacLeod
Mariana Sol Porta
Chris Darlington
cast
Gordon Pinsent
Maggie Hickey
Ruffy Nappo
Joel Thomas Hynes
Frances Knickle
Kevin Lewis
Patrick Hirtle-Lewis
Petrina Bromley
Sheila Abbott
Christopher Nikolov
Leah Lewis
producer
Annette Clarke
Michael Fukushima
director of photography
Ellie Yonova
editor
Lawrence Jackman
Mary Lewis
sound recordist
Harvey Hyslop
Don Ellis
1st assistant director
Dana Warren
2nd assistant director
Kelly Stone
production manager
Anna Petras
production assistant
Lisa Clarke
wrangler
Christopher Nikolov
1st camera assistant
Keith Burgess
gaffer
Flora Planchat
grip
Sean Doran
boom operator
Brad Gover
art director
Pam Hall
Anne MacLeod
art director assistant
Tony Butt
wardrobe
Christine Kenny
makeup
Dorothy Martin
still photographer
Justin Hall
background performer
Mary-Lynn Bernard
Iliyana Boykov
Lori Heath
Paul Heneghan
Stephen Lush
Christine Peddle
Mary Ann Rennie
Harry Stone
Pat Stone
painter
Shelley Cornick
Abe Hutton
Mike Skiffington
consultant
Peter Evans
Bertrand Langlois
digital imaging specialist
Susan Gourley
Pierre Plouffe
original music composer
Jeff Johnston
online editor
Steve Cook
colourist
Steve Cook
sound design
Lori Clarke
post-production assistant
Edward Tanasychuk
mixer
Shelley Craig
production supervisor
Patricia Coughran
studio administrator
John William Lutz
Gisèle Guilbault
production coordinator
Stephanie Coolen
Vanessa Larsen
marketing manager
Amy Stewart Gallant
executive producer
Kent Martin
David Verrall

Awards


  • Bill Boyle Award for Excellence in Screenwriting - with a cash prize of $100Flicks International Children Film Festival
  • Golden Sheaf Award - Category: Best ExperimentalYorkton Film Festival