PRETTY
TALK


PRETTY TALK is a 15-minute, looping 3D-animation directed by Mara Eagle. The full soundtrack of the video was collaged from found recordings of mimicking birds-- in particular, tropical birds living in captivity. Sourcing from YouTube and other video hosting platforms, hundreds of soundbites of bird-sound were gathered and sorted into a sound-effects library containing excerpts of mimicked speech, laughter, crying and singing, as well as electronic devices, police sirens, power-tools etc.... A narrative was then collaged based on the limited contents of archive. While the animation’s characters take human form, their voices are “acted” by parrots, who also “act” all sound effects used in this experimental animation. Themes related to the uncanny, simulation and play, reverberate throughout film’s visuals and plot, which takes a surprising twist as the façade of a suburban town degenerates into a sci-fi horror.


PRETTY TALK, exhibtion view, FoFA Gallery in partnership with MOMENTA Biennale, Montreal, QC, 2023.

PRETTY TALK, exhibtion view, FoFA Gallery in partnership with MOMENTA Biennale, Montreal, QC, 2023.

PRETTY TALK, exhibtion view, FoFA Gallery in partnership with MOMENTA Biennale, Montreal, QC, 2023.


Excerpt from PRETTY TALK, 4K color animation & sound, 15-minute loop, 2023.


Still image, PRETTY TALK, 4K color animation & sound, 15-minute loop, 2023.

Still image, PRETTY TALK, 4K color animation & sound, 15-minute loop, 2023.

PRETTY TALK, exhibtion view, FoFA Gallery in partnership with MOMENTA Biennale, Montreal, QC, 2023.

Still image, PRETTY TALK, 4K color animation & sound, 15-minute loop, 2023.

Still image, PRETTY TALK, 4K color animation & sound, 15-minute loop, 2023.

Still image, PRETTY TALK, 4K color animation & sound, 15-minute loop, 2023.

Still image, PRETTY TALK, 4K color animation & sound, 15-minute loop, 2023.

Still image, PRETTY TALK, 4K color animation & sound, 15-minute loop, 2023.