Boston International Kids Film Festival - The Something
A monster boy lays awake at night, frightened that "something" will come through his window. With the help of his well-meaning, if befuddled, mother, he turns his weird little world upside down in his dogged search to understand and confront his fear - which he ultimately finds, in a way, through the "looking glass..."
Interview with Writer/Producer Tom Babbitt
Watch The Something here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I have been studying animation since college, over 30 years ago, and I still think of film and animation as magical. I love the process of watching something start out as just a notion or a quick idea and then be fleshed out and made real. The book is so simple and wonderful, and I remember it vividly from my childhood when my father would read my mother's newly finished book aloud to us first. I love the story's twist - that the monster is afraid of the little girl! It's actually a very complicated and profound idea that has a lot of depth to it.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The film is funny, colorful, and above all imaginative. The book's text is narrated in its entirety, and the words are wonderful. This kind of handmade film is engrossing exactly because it's handmade. Its quirkiness and imperfections make it more "human." But also people should watch this because it's emotional and heartfelt, anchored in the end by a sweet little song I wrote.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The idea of being afraid of the "dark," the unknown, is certainly universal. But I would also say it could be about what's unknown to us about ourselves. When the monster boy finally finds what he's afraid of, it's actually us - the reader, the little human girl. So in the beginning we identify with the boy, Mylo, only to find out that the thing we're afraid of is us. So we travel from one side of the mirror to the other, in a way inhabiting both roles.
Because it was written by my own mother, and has funny little references to what it was actually like to be her child, it couldn't be more personal. My mom, being a gifted artist, was always a bit conflicted about her motherly role. You can see little parts of this in the story. For instance, when she has the mother character say something about how "wonderful" Milo's artwork is, "...in such a special voice that he knew she had no idea what it was..."
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The script never moved an inch, because I decided to use the text verbatim. The film evolved in its look and feel over time from a more elemental style to one that was more textural and layered. And the film certainly reflects my own inner experience - with more quirky characters and being informed by my oddball sense of humor and psychology background.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The biggest honor was being accepted into the prestigious AI-AP Motion Arts Awards for 2015 - unusual for this type of film. Having been shown in over 12 different summer festivals (and counting) has, in itself, been wonderful and positive feedback. Of course, I've been rejected a bunch of times as well, at which point one questions it's value… it's a bit of a roller coaster ride. But, it has brought tears to a few people's eyes, and that's really the whole point, to make that emotional connection.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I have certainly been surprised by my first film having been as fairly well received as it has - it's all been very humbling. But it's also true that it's quite hard to get substantive and articulate feedback from people. I have no "editor," or co-conspirator to bounce off of.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
This site is wonderfully curated, thoughtful and progressive. I'm proud to be a part of it! I'm fascinated by people's interest in film and animation and want as many people as possible to take a look at it. Perhaps at some point, I'll be able to distribute it to a larger audience.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
This is a complicated question as the way films are marketed and sold is constantly shifting. That being said, I could benefit greatly from having producers and distributors helping this and others of my films to gain a larger audience, and build my filmmaking "brand".
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
In an ideal world, I would want this to be a film that people would remember as unique and special, and something that they were moved and surprised by. I work hard at my various art forms and music, and need to plug-in to the world, closing the loop as it were.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Questions might include: Do you think there could be light without dark? When you feel afraid of something, what do you do to overcome or better understand your fear? Do you ever use artwork to help you understand the world better? What would you have done if you were Mylo? How else might Mylo's mother have helped her son?
Would you like to add anything else?
Please visit http://www.babbittvisuals.com/
Interview: November 2016
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I have just finished a more polished and ambitious, 10-minute animation of my father's book, "The 49th Magician." As the story goes, my mother needed a book to illustrate, and having no interest in writing herself at the time, asked my father to write something for her, and this sweet little story popped out. When it was successfully published, my mom wanted to "go again," but my father had no interest in writing another one, so she was forced to begin writing herself. So, in a way, this book started her entire career - even though it was actually written by my father!
Interview: November 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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The Something
A monster boy lays awake at night, frightened that "something" will come through his window. With the help of his well-meaning, if befuddled, mother, he turns his weird little world upside down in his dogged search to understand and confront his fear - which he ultimately finds, in a way, through the "looking glass..."
Length:
7:30
Director:
Tom Babbitt
Producer:
Tom Babbitt
Writer:
Natalie Babbitt
About the writer, director and producer:
In addition to his many animated shorts, Tom is an accomplished musician / singer / songwriter / composer, having studied music theory and composition, and having played music and performed for over 40 years; He's directed (edited, acted in) four music videos to date, most recently using his song, "Tell Me" ("Best Music Video" at the 2016 Los Angeles Film Awards, among others); He was awarded "Semi-finalist" and "Runner-up" nods at the 2016 World Songwriting Contest (Top 1% out of 18,000 entries) and “Honorable Mention” for two separate songs in the 14th Annual Billboard World Songwriting Contest. A former Art Director, he worked in advertising and design for over 2 decades; He is a feverish animator and illustrator and has designed chairs and clocks and film sets; Now, he works as a Psychotherapist in private practice (it’s true!) in New England.
Key cast:
Just me.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Distribution, sales reps, financing, journalists.
Funders:
Just me.
Made in association with:
Just me.