Adija
A young girl from the Brox finds escape from her unhappy family life through her graffiti art.
Interview with Writer/Director Apollonia Thomaier
Watch Adija here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made this film for two reasons. One is that it was a requirement for graduation to have a senior project either film or game. I chose a 3D/2D animated film. For the more philosophical answer to why I made this film, it is because even though we are students, we are still artists with voices. What we choose to animate is a form of communication. And I wanted to try our hand at creating a film that spoke to everyone.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
One should watch this film because it is like looking at yourself. All persons at some point in their lives have felt the fear of a family falling apart. Even though the adult conversation had nothing to do with you personally, and it was held behind “closed doors,” you still can feel it. We all have felt that way.
The enchanting part of this film is how Adija handles the stress of her family, by expressing herself in a positive manner. She, in her mind, by creating art fixes her family, thus giving way to the essence of why graffiti artists do what they do. They create positive and empowering emotions for themselves by the act of creation on an endless canvas.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
For me I was focused on the inner workings of a child. I am very interested in how we can show how innocence in the face of pain is true strength, and we all still in a way have that purity inside each of us.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
To be honest we did not write a script to this film. We went straight to storyboards and adjusted visually as time passed. I must have done over 20 storyboard passes to get to the essence of what we were trying to say. This is the beauty of film making, everything will eventually shift and transform.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Super positive feedback! Including tears. People were touched, and I had a few people come up to me sharing their stories of divorce and turning to art as a means to be better. It’s truly an honor to see how Adija story allows a conversation for adults to express the pain of their inner child.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Most people have agreed with the vision, some wanted a happy ending feeling. For example, that her parents find the mural on the wall and change because of it. However, those same people understood that this animation was more about realism rather than fantasy. In real life… that kind of ending does not exist for children like Adija.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
To start a conversation about children. To have the parents who watch this film reflect on themselves and realize their actions have consequences to their children. Plus, there are children out there who, despite all the pain they go through, can rise up like the lotus and become holy from the experience.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I am waiting for the day we can just publish this student film online and let the world see Adija’s story, and share their stories. If a producer, agent, or another film festival director sees this student animation and wants to show this film under their wings as well, that would be an honor.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Having people reflect on who they are and what their actions can do. The people I was focusing on for this film were the parents. We adults need to understand that most children are pure of heart, and they become people of pain through time by watching parents spew their own. Parents: Learn that you at times dish out negativity to them. Even though you think you aren’t, you are! Although there are children like Adija who rise from the pain, there are many more who succumb to it, meaning the child starts to think “what is familiar is right.” Basically, I want people to reflect on how they are affecting the next generation and change for the better.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Should society as a whole become more aware of their emotional and thought expressions in order to save the next generation? We have the technology and the psychology to look within, discover, and change. Would now be a good time to learn how to look at yourself with kind eyes and become better for the sake of the children? Adija did not build that world she lived in… yet she can rise higher… can you?
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Right now, because we are all students, most of my graduated team are striving to have a career in the entertainment industry, and have already attained jobs in the game industry. Some are working at triple A studios. I am in school getting my Masters in animation, and will begin another animated film next semester. Topic is not decided; focus will again be change via inspiration and goodness.
Interview: October 2016
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Adija
A young girl from the Brox finds escape from her unhappy family life through her graffiti art.
Length:
4 minutes and 8 seconds
Director:
Apollonia Thomaier
Producer:
Tai Gordon
Writer:
Apollonia Thomaeir
Key cast:
Apollonia Thomaier Directoer/StoryLead/2D effects Animator
Tai Gordon Producer/Environment Artist
Chonlawat Thammawan Animation Director/Character Modeler
Joe Vick 3D Technical Animator
Austin Becker 2D Character Animator
Garrett Cavanaugh Lighting/Technical Artist/Concept
Evan Alderete Music
Grey Davenport Sound and Mixing
Morgan Rowe 3D assistance
Even Pitkin 2D assistance
Voices
Alejandro Potter
Apollonia Thomaier
Lucie
Thanks To
Mark Henne
Pamela Mathues
Made in association with:
DigiPen Institute of Technology