Umbra by Malcolm Sutherland is a Trippy Foray Into the Void
Andrew Robertson — May 21, 2012 — Art & Design
Umbra by Malcon Sutherland is an animated short revolving around a cyclical sequence that seems to be destined to repeat itself. The video is in black and white (except for the blue of the adventurer's helmet) and entirely hand-drawn.
It begins with an adventurer crashing onto an unknown planet. Walking around, the stalwart explorer seems content with his new discovery until he comes across a civilization of mini people who are obsessed with jumping through the gap created by the explorer's shadow. After trying to run away, falling down and experiencing a strange dream, the adventurer wakes up to find himself amongst the mini people, trying to jump into the shadow of his larger former self.
The video feels like a darker, animated version of Groundhog Dog, the Bill Murray movie in which a man must continue to relive the same day until he discovers what needs to change.
It begins with an adventurer crashing onto an unknown planet. Walking around, the stalwart explorer seems content with his new discovery until he comes across a civilization of mini people who are obsessed with jumping through the gap created by the explorer's shadow. After trying to run away, falling down and experiencing a strange dream, the adventurer wakes up to find himself amongst the mini people, trying to jump into the shadow of his larger former self.
The video feels like a darker, animated version of Groundhog Dog, the Bill Murray movie in which a man must continue to relive the same day until he discovers what needs to change.
Trend Themes
1. Cyclical Animation - Opportunity for creating animated shorts that explore cyclical sequences and repetition in storytelling.
2. Hand-drawn Animation - Opportunity for utilizing the traditional technique of hand-drawn animation in creating visually stunning animated shorts.
3. Meta-narratives - Opportunity for creating animated shorts that delve into self-referential and self-aware storytelling.
Industry Implications
1. Animation - Disruptive innovation opportunity in the animation industry by incorporating cyclical storytelling and hand-drawn animation techniques.
2. Film - Opportunity for creating meta-narrative films that explore themes of repetition and self-discovery.
3. Art - Opportunity for artists to explore the use of animated shorts as a medium for self-expression and meta storytelling.
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