Chester Animation Festival / Los Angeles International Children Film Festival 2020 – Go! Go!
An alligator gets loose and spends his day in an amusement park, hoping to see the fireworks.
Interview with Writer/Director/Animator Patradol "Dodo" Kitcharoen
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I have always enjoyed making films that can give the audience joy and laughter. I made this film to reflect on my personal journey pursuing my dream in the animation and film industry. I wanted to communicate that in a fun and entertaining way, using quirky animation, appealing character designs and catchy original song. I hope to express these unforced feelings of fun and, if possible, inspire people who have dreams to take on the journeys and pursue them.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film is perfect for those who like carnivals, amusement park rides, alligators and stuff animals. It is a good combination of a playful, stylized animation and fun, upbeat music with comedic elements play throughout the story. Each character is designed to be lovable and you will sing along to the catchy chorus. This film can be watched purely just for joy or it can also be inspiring for people who are setting off to follow their dreams.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
As I mentioned before, this film is very much based on my personal journey, traveling to the US and following my dream of working in the animation industry, which led to so many amazing experiences and memories that I cherish. At the same time, I hope that this film can also speak to those who are doing it or deciding on taking chances and pursue their goals and encourage them to keep doing what they love.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The story evolved a lot from where it started. It started off as a short story assignment for one of my school classes about a couple who lose a kid named Aaron, which in the end turns out to actually be an alligator. I revisited it years later before making this film and twisted the story around and added a setting and more refined storyline. Since the film is designed to be music-driven, there was a lot of back and forth between me and the music composers during the storyboard state to make sure that the music and visual fit well together. Each main character has been rewritten to make their intention more clearly and with purpose.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
There has been a lot of positive feedback. It is interesting to see how people are drawn toward different elements in the film. Some are attracted to the characters' designs and how they are animated. Some are entertained by how the story is told and a lot of people love the music. Some even actually get inspired by the film as it encourages them to follow their dreams.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
As the film was meant to be fun and entertaining, hearing the positive feedback about how the audience enjoyed the film really means a lot to me and makes me feel that this film has successfully and beautifully done its job. However, it is also a very pleasant surprise to see many people get inspired and feel encouraged to take chances and work toward their goals. I started off wanting to share my personal experience and I am glad that a lot of people can relate and are touched by it.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I hope that the film would be able to reach a wider audience and gain more exposure, especially for people who are interested in animation.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Sale agents, distributors and film festival directors as I would love to learn more about marketing and distribution.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope the film can be a short fun ride that the audience can enjoy more than once. Again, they can watch it just for pure joy or let it be one of the encouragements to start pursuing their goals.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Will you take that chance and follow your dream?
Would you like to add anything else?
The big credit goes to Matt Bierwagen and Bill Piyatut Hemstapat for writing and producing this amazing song "Go! Go!" specifically for this film, as well as my entire crew that made this film possible and as successful as it is.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am currently working full-time as a storyboard trainee at Cartoon Network Studio in Burbank, California. It has been a very fun and challenging experience for me to improve my skills in story and filmmaking. I also learn a lot about developing and running animated TV shows. Other than my full-time job, I am also collaborating with my friend, Connor Jacobs on developing a pitch bible for an animated TV show.
Interview: March 2020
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. 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
Go! Go!
An alligator gets loose and spends his day in an amusement park, hoping to see the fireworks.
Length: 4:00
Director: Patradol "Dodo" Kitcharoen
Producer: Patradol "Dodo" Kitcharoen
Writer: Patradol "Dodo" Kitcharoen
About the writer, director and producer:
PATRADOL KITCHAROEN or, "DODO" is a recent MFA animation graduate from the University of Southern California and a story artist/ animation director based in Los Angeles. He specializes in story and 2D animation, especially in action and comedy. His works experience includes animated short films, animated documentaries, projection mapping, and television series.
Key cast: Matt Bierwagen (Performer)
Instagram: @dodododrawing
Hashtags used: #gogotheanimatedshort
Website: www.patradodo.com/go-go
Other: Vimeo
Made in association with: University of Southern California
Funders: Fox Fellowship Endowment Fund
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Chester Animation Festival 2020/United Kingdom - March 6-15 2020; Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival/Santa Monica, CA - April 10-19 2020; Rhino Comedy Shorts Film Festival/Suffern, NY - March 12 2020