A godlike alien hungers for exotic delicacies from the deepest reaches of space in this stop-motion animated film made entirely with balloons.

Interview with Director/Producer/Animator/Editor Max Landman

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I work as a professional balloon twister at parties and other events. I have also been an animator and filmmaker for most of my life. In my many years of balloon twisting, I have come to learn that balloons are amazingly versatile as an artistic medium. For a long time, I had wanted to make an animated film with balloons, as it is a technique that I had never seen before. During the pandemic, when there were no parties to work for, I took the opportunity to make the film that I had always wanted to make.

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

Baloney Beacon is an animated film unlike any other. It utilizes an unexplored medium to tell a story of otherworldly phenomena. Anyone who enjoys uniquely bizarre and uncanny works of art would enjoy this film. Those who have seen Baloney Beacon can claim to have witnessed the dawn of balloon animation as an art form.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The destruction of life for one's personal gain drives the central conflict in Baloney Beacon. The main character commits mass murder to satiate his appetite while being far enough away from the violence to remain emotionally detached from his horrific actions. We sometimes neglect to realize the reverberating effects our actions have on the people and the world around us, even if we are only trying to feed ourselves.

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

When I began filming, there was no script to speak of. Baloney Beacon is built around a series of experiments, exploring the many ways in which balloons can be animated. As each shot was completed, I envisioned ways to contextualize what I had just made within a broader narrative, and a story began to emerge. It wasn't until I finished animating at least two minutes of footage that I had the entire plot figured out.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Almost all of the feedback that I have received so far has been very positive. The general response that audiences have had to Baloney Beacon can be summarized as bewildered awe. People who have seen my film have had quite a few questions about the animation process and the inspiration for the project, which I am more than happy to discuss at great length.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I have been genuinely surprised by the positivity with which my film has been received. Many audience members have had different takeaways, but that is to be expected with such an abstract film that has an admittedly loose narrative structure. Since parts of the film are generally open to interpretation, I have not been surprised by the range of reactions that I have received.

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

I'm hoping to promote my work and gain interest in my new projects moving forward, as well as spread the word about the wonders of balloon animation.

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

I have no delusions about Baloney Beacon's financial prospects (experimental animation is a hard sell). Anyone who can help share my film with a wider audience would be greatly appreciated, whoever that may be.

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

I'm hoping that people will walk away from my film curious and fascinated with the story and the animation process. My favorite films are the ones that leave me with unanswered questions that require more than one viewing to clarify.

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

Why does this film use balloons to tell its story?

Would you like to add anything else?

This film barely scratches the surface of what's possible in balloon animation. I plan on doing a lot more experimenting in this medium.

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

I am currently working on two projects that combine multiple mediums such as different animation styles and live-action photography. They are in the earliest stages of development, so they are likely to change quite a bit over time. Also, there is more balloon animation on the horizon.

Interview: February 2023

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

Baloney Beacon

A godlike alien hungers for exotic delicacies from the deepest reaches of space in this stop-motion animated film made entirely with balloons.

Length: 5:13

Director: Max Landman

Producer: Max Landman

Writer: Max Landman

About the writer, director and producer:

MAX LANDMAN is an artist, animator and balloon twister based in San Francisco. His films have been screened at numerous festivals around the world, including the Slamdance Film Festival, Toronto Animation International Showcase, Istanbul International Experimental Film Festival, and many others. He has also had his work shown on national television: he created the title sequence for season 12, episode 1 of Off The Air (episode titled Nonsense) which aired on Adult Swim in July 2022.

Looking for: film festival directors, journalists, distributors and producers

Instagram: @maxlandmananimation

Hashtags used: #animation #experimental #stopmotion #balloons

Website: maxlandman.com