This weekend I took my kids to @sunraycine for their first—and last—time at this location. It’s bittersweet because I imagined taking them to many movies in what I consider one of my favorite places. It got me thinking about my Sun-Ray origin story. It’s a bit of a long read.
Eighteen years ago Warren & Brenda reached out to see if I could animate a film strip into different shapes for the Jacksonville Film Festival opener. I enthusiastically said yes knowing I had no idea how to do this. Since I really wanted a job in the industry, I went home and did some tests, which got me the job.
This was my first professional piece and I was beyond excited (and nervous) to see it on a big theater screen during the festival. I decided to go watch the animated shorts at the San Marco Theater (RIP) to see my piece play. The lights go out, my stomach is in knots, and then… it doesn’t play. I was devastated.
Instead, another opener played. This weird animation with crazy voices that was definitely not mine. I was beside myself. It turns out the programmer made his own opener for the animated shorts program.And that programmer was Tim Massett.
I didn’t know it at the time, but what I saw was a peek inside the mind of a crazy genius who went on create Sun-Ray some years later. For anyone who has seen a movie at Sun-Ray, all the unmistakable signs of Tim’s classic openers were there in that piece I saw in San Marco so many years ago.
Looking back, it was brilliant and beautiful and I’m glad I got to experience that moment. Even though I was initially let down, it’s now part of my story and I was able to close out this chapter sharing my love of movies with my kids in that beautiful, dark theater one more time.
I look forward to whatever Tim & Shana do next. Thank you for all the years of your madness, love, and passion for movies. I hate to see you go, but I’m sure you have something special in store for us in the future.
Made a short film with @dustmiller and @twloha about why you make today better. Lots of love to all that were involved. More thanks to come, but for now please watch to see why we want you to stay. Link in bio.
