Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Barton Gilley is ready to share his passion with our community on the TEDxLSU 2016 stage. A fixture in the local maker community, Barton designs animated art and strives to create memorable characters that appeal to both children and adults. His most well-known piece is an R2-D2 replica that dispenses beer from a tap. Although R2-D2 is a crowd-pleaser, Gilley is currently working on a much bigger project: a short film. Barton and friend Clay Achee are entering Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal Fan Film Competition. The two are collaborating to create a 5-minute short film that fits into the world of Dark Crystal. Gilley is responsible for creating the characters, while Achee is perfecting the script and designing the set.
I was able to talk with Barton and find out more about his passion and aspirations. You can read some of the highlights of our conversation below.
Which other TEDxLSU 2016 speaker’s talk are you most interested to hear, and why?
I’m interested to hear David Klanecky’s talk. Renewable energy is something that fascinates me.
This year’s TEDxLSU theme is “Why?” What’s your biggest “why” question right now?
Within the theme of “why” I think the best way to describe the things I do is “why not?” If you have the tools and materials, why not try and make something.
Where do you get materials for your sculptures?
The auto junk yard is a great place to get motors from windshield wipers and windows. I often try to find things that work for what I’m building. I order electronic parts and materials like plastic and silicone from online.
When you are creating a character, what are your favorite traits to give them?
Personality traits, mostly comical ones. I’ve never been a fan of gore or horror movies, which is why I lean more to Jim Henson instead of Freddie Krueger and Jason. I try to go for something kind of funny or warmhearted.
We know you are a fan of Jim Henson. Who else inspires you, and why?
Tex Avery was a Warner Brothers animator, cartoonist and director. He is responsible for the characters of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Droopy and many more.
You’re currently working on a short film. If you could make movie magic for only one genre forever, what would it be? Anything that needs unimaginable creatures or props. I would have loved to work on movies like Terminator, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Gremlins and Labyrinth. I guess that means science fiction or fantasy.
As of now R2, but I have a feeling that when I am done with my current project it will be my new favorite.
What’s your go-to inspiration spot in Baton Rouge?
My workshop at my house.
What would you be doing if you didn’t do art?
I’d have to be doing something that involved working with my hands.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about creating?
If I don’t know how to do something I have to figure out another way to get the same effect. Often, the result can be more elegant and interesting than the so called “right way” to do it.
As a Baton Rouge native you’ve grown and changed with the city. What is one of the most exciting things you see happening with Baton Rouge today?
Here’s a time machine: what do you do with it? Why?
Go back to the 80s. I have two older brothers and between them I was exposed to a lot of 80s music and movies. I learned to draw from staring at my brother’s Motley Crue and Poison posters. Everything about the 80s makes me feel nostalgic.
