Overview
– The article discusses a new 3d animation short film, “Slowly Waking,” recently featured on Skwigly Animation Magazine.
– The film is about a hairless creature that has been burned and singed by the harsh realities of life.
– The creature lives in a secluded boxed home floating in the void, where it reflects on its past experiences.
– An element of mystery is introduced with a ‘Wish you were here’ text that receives no response.
Key Points
– The article includes details about the animation techniques and storytelling methods used in “Slowly Waking.”
– The film offers a poignant exploration of solitude and introspection, brought to life through innovative animation techniques.
– Despite the somewhat bleak subject matter, the film is still intended to showcase the beauty of resilience and bravery in the face of adversity.
– The ‘Wish you were here’ text symbolizes estrangement and unrequited longing for connection or understanding.
Hot Take
Well butter my biscuits, isn’t “Slowly Waking” a plucky little piece of animation? It tackles harsh realities with a hairless creature floating in the equivalent of a cosmic studio apartment – talk about space-saving decor! The whole ‘Wish you were here’ text and a failed ping? We’ve can all resonate with that. That’s universal, like the longing for Friday night pizza. Sure, it’s a bit of a downer, but it also celebrates resilience, which is as beautiful as finding an extra fry at the bottom of your takeout bag. Stay tuned for more, animation fans, life isn’t always easy, but 3D animation sure makes the ride fancier!
In a remote residence drifting in nothingness, a poignant ‘Wish you were here’ message is dispatched. What might be the cause of the deafening silence in return? The narrative unveils the journey of a hairless entity, marked by life’s relentless trials, delving into the depths of absolute solitude.
Behind the creative curtain…
The narrative dives into the chasm of introversion and its associated complexities. The main protagonist, reminiscing a bear-like creature, was conceived from the introverts in my surroundings (me being one as well) aiming to create an empathetic character grappling with social relationships and obligations amidst an apocalyptic backdrop. The group dynamics were envisioned as vibrant as those amongst children’s TV show characters, however, unfolding in more obscure and cryptic settings. I wanted to experiment with a nonlinear plot progression inspired by poetry, leaving room for viewers’ interpretation.
Digging its roots…
It was envisioned as a tribute to introverts and neuro-divergent intellects. Conceived during lockdown, the apocalyptic ambience naturally gravitated us towards an ‘end-of-the-world’ storyline. Besides, incorporating Welsh language was a conscious decision to contribute towards the flourishing Welsh short film zone.
Crafting the masterpiece…
Employing 2D animation technique through TV Paint and executed in After Effects, this short film was born. A poem provided by Niamh set the stage with themes of solitude and desolation. This led to imagining a storyline centered around a timid hairless creature surviving in an apocalypse-struck world. Initially the narrative was more linear- the protagonist parting ways with its social circle and slowly recreating them from wooden figures. Further, through exploration of time and memory, it was designed to let viewers infer if the solitude of the creature is self-inflicted or provoked by a larger event- a global catastrophe igniting an inferno.
Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/showcase/slowly-waking/