Watch Monster Road

Monster Road is a unique documentary film that delves into the mind of one of the most influential animators of all time, Bruce Bickford. The movie was released in 2004 and directed by Brett Ingram. The film explores Bickford's imagination and his obsession with creating surreal stop-motion animations that range from the absurd to the grotesque.

The movie tells the story of Bruce Bickford, an unknown animator who spent most of his life in his parents' basement in Seattle. Bickford's work was heavily influenced by his dreams, his fascination with mythology, and his love for science fiction. Throughout the film, the audience is taken on a journey through his creative process, from his early days as a child playing with clay, to his most recent works in the early 2000s.

As Monster Road reveals, Bickford's work is not just a product of his imagination, but also an expression of his personal struggles. Bickford's father was a severe alcoholic who frequently abused him, and Bickford himself suffered from mental illness throughout his life. As a result of these experiences, Bickford's animations often have dark and haunting themes, featuring grotesque creatures and violent imagery.

Despite his outsider status in the film industry, Bickford's innovative work caught the attention of Frank Zappa, who enlisted him to create animated segments for his music videos in the 1970s. Bickford's animations for Zappa's videos gained him a cult following, and his work began to gain recognition in the art world.

Despite his growing fame, Bickford remained true to his artistic vision, and he continued to work on his animations independently, using his own unique techniques. In the film, the audience is shown the process of creating one of Bickford's stop-motion animations, which involves painstakingly molding and manipulating clay figures frame by frame.

The film also explores the relationship between Bruce and his brother, George Bickford, who worked with him on many of his animations. George is an equally intriguing character in his own right, as he is a self-taught musician and inventor who created many of the tools that Bruce uses in his animations. George is shown creating a musical instrument that he dubs the "Monster Guitar," which he uses to create the eerie soundtrack for Bruce's animations.

Throughout the film, we are also introduced to Greg McClellan, a young Seattle-based animator who seeks to create his own stop-motion animations. McClellan, who cites Bruce Bickford as one of his biggest inspirations, is shown learning from Bruce and adapting some of his techniques to create his own unique style.

Overall, Monster Road is an enthralling documentary that takes the viewer on a journey through the creative mind of Bruce Bickford. Through interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues, as well as footage of his animations and his workshop, the film provides a fascinating insight into the life and work of a true innovator in the world of animation.