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Frédéric Back, illustrator
By Robert Roy
The international exchange of children’s
animation took place under the aegis of Radio-Canada’s
youth programming, and Robert
Roy, as head of the department and later as
director of Radio-Canada programs continued to support
the animation studio’s productions.
Even before he had won international acclaim with
his first Oscar—for CRAC!
in 1982—I knew Frédéric Back,
the illustrator, from my earliest years at Radio-Canada.
His contribution to the school, music and science
programs, and even more importantly to the youth
programs was in the form of illustrations, special
effects, visual effects and sets. I will always
remember the meticulous work he did on the series
D’Iberville,
whose model ships have become museum pieces.
n the 1960s, his inspiration and deft drawings done
live on air soon became a signature recognized not
only throughout Radio-Canada but also by the viewing
public.
With his concern for conveying a message, he decided
to target young audiences. When he made his first
animated film, ABRACADABRA,
as part of an exchange with the European Broadcasting
Union’s children and youth services in 1970,
he was already a member of Radio-Canada’s
recently created animation
department headed by Hubert
Tison.
In the film he demonstrated the primordial importance
of a well written script, which his drawing skills
then made appealing to children. While the story
expressed his ideas and deepest beliefs, he was
able to tell it in a minimum of time thanks to his
artistic experience as an illustrator.
This short film was not only made for children,
it also gave them the starring role, endowing them
with the power to save humankind. He knew, of course,
that the world belongs to our children and that
we are merely the stewards of it.
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Frédéric
Back adjusting the scale model
of Quebec prior to filming. (D'Iberville)
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