ABSTRACT
This chapter explores a critical, and possibly the happiest, time in Beckett’s life (1972–1974) as a graduate student at CalArt, an environment that he described as “Eden” in his application. There, he had a reputation for his large personality and untiring work ethic. His animation was getting attention and awards and contributing to a growing wave of independent animation. Higher education as a potential source of emerging animation was addressed. Beckett also had a muse, his romantic partner, the artist Kathy Rose. The two films from 1973, Evolution of the Red Star and Heavy-Light, are the pivotal works discussed, with analysis of the processes he developed with insight provided by composers Carl Stone and Barry Schrader, who created the sound scores for these extraordinary animations. Heavy-Light is discussed in the context Youngblood’s Expanded Cinema, and the Lumia work of Thomas Wilfred, Jordan Belson’s film Light (1973), and Text of Light by Stan Brakhage from 1974. John Whitney, Sr.’s influence as well as Beckett’s growing influence on his peers and colleagues are noted.
