On the night of a lunar eclipse, we uncover the sweet, salacious, and spooky secrets of a small town. From a pigtailed psychopath to naughty nuns, this stop-motion animated film conjures a comforting thought: that weird is relative.

Interview with Director/Animator Michaela Olsen

Watch Under Covers here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I like to imagine what happens behind closed doors. By peeking inside the homes of these characters, we see that secrets are universal, whether they’re sexy, sweet, harmless or straight-up murderous.

I began the film as a way to keep busy during large gaps of unemployment between freelance gigs. It gave me a reason to make art every day and hone my skills as a fabricator and animator. I honestly never thought I would finish it!

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

You’ve got 7.5 minutes to spare and you’re craving some naked puppet content.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

When it comes down to it, this film is about love and acceptance — all tied up in a twisted little package. We all feel pain, desire, and shame sometimes. No one person is alone in their experience.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

This concept came to life as a small pop-up book when I was a student a million years ago. It’s come a long way.

When I began production, I was all alone in my cold studio. I loved it! But a few years into production I joined two business partners in an animation studio called Mighty Oak.

We were able to bring this project to the finish line and my previously solo project became much more of a collaboration, which was far better (and faster) than doing everything myself.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

My family thinks I’m a total freak and a sexual deviant.

Buuut... I’ve been so pleased to see the film thrive in the festival circuit! So far, the audience feedback has been great, but you never know what people are holding back. I’m waiting for someone to come over and slap me across the face because they hate it.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

It’s always interesting to watch the film with an audience. Sometimes people laugh at unexpected moments and vice versa.

Everyone seems to have fallen in love with the vignette of the psychopathic child who murdered her sister. People just enjoy disturbed children. So I might try to incorporate more creepy kids into future projects.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

More animation for adults!!! I think this world has so much further to be explored. I want to see more R-rated stories told in this medium that has endless creative potential. We work hard! Adults should be able to experience animation in the same way that kids do!

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I’d love to find someone to sponsor an Under Covers exhibition and interactive experience. I have lots of sets and puppets sitting in my basement awaiting their in-person debut. And wouldn’t you like to sit in the lap of a giant pink teddy bear and get served drinks by a sheet ghost? I would.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I hope that the film makes people laugh and pushes the medium of stop motion forward. If it reminds people that women can make funny, scary, or f*ed up films, that would be nice too.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

I have a few:

- What would the world be like if everyone’s secrets were revealed?

- Do you believe in God?

- Are you more of a mer-cat or a banana cat?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

We are constantly making things at Mighty Oak! My producers and business partners Emily Collins and Jess Peterson have been leading up a short documentary film called Chula with Invisible Strings. It about a clown from Mexico City who has spent over a decade working alongside other clowns in refugee camps and areas affected by conflict.

Outside of original work, we have a wide array of client projects going. We recently made a whole bunch of (adorable) Stranger Things miniatures for Coke. And we just wrapped up some absurd bumpers for Adult Swim that I can’t wait to release into the world.

Interview: July 2019

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

Under Covers

Length: 7:23

Director: Michaela Olsen

Producer: Mighty Oak

Writer: Michaela Olsen

About the writer, director and producer:

MICHAELA OLSEN is a creative director and partner at Mighty Oak, a creative studio in Brooklyn. Her wonky, award-winning short films have tickled audiences and frightened children, screening at Sundance, Edinburgh Film Festival, Palm Springs Film Festival, and more. Michaela has been featured alongside the Mighty Oak team in Adobe Create, Oxygen, Brooklyn Magazine, Mashable, and the New York Times. Michaela lives in a Brooklyn apartment with four sinks and a dog.

MIGHTY OAK is a creative studio specialized in hand-made animation. By making art for brands and tv networks, our full-service and award-winning studio is able to give personality to products and ideas, engaging audiences in unexpected ways.

Key cast: Dylan Stephen Levers, Robert Kovacs, Jade Shames, Emily Collins

Facebook: Mighty Oak

Twitter: @michaela_olsen

Instagram: @mightyoakgrows

Hashtags used: #undercoversfilm #animation #stopmotion #

Website: undercoversfilm.com, mightyoakgrows.com, www.michaelaolsen.com

Made in association with: Mighty Oak

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Outfest LGBT+ Film Festival, Los Angeles - 7/18-7/28; Guanajuato International Film Festival, Mexico City - 7/19-7/28; Indie Street Film Festival, Red Bank, NJ - 7/24-7/28"