Pinto is a bean who lives in a crowded, noisy place called Legumeopolis. By helping his fellow beans, Pinto learns that he's not alone in his struggle.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Animator/Actor R.J. Sullivan

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you! The main point I wanted to make with Pinto is that everybody gets upset, but you don't need to take it out on other people. We can all get stuck in negative, cynical mind-frames towards our fellow humans since there is no shortage of things to be upset about in the world.

In the film, Pinto helps out his fellow beans and then realizes that the other beans aren't so bad after all. They celebrate him for his good deed and this has a reverberating effect on Pinto's psyche causing him to want to continue to do good deeds.

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

I think it's a good reminder (for adults as well as kids) that everybody has their own struggles and everybody has a choice whether or not they want to take out their frustration on others. As a viewer, you might be feeling like nobody really understands what you're going through in your current struggle (and you are right). This film is quietly asking you to remember that everybody else ALSO has their own problems that you don't know about so cut them a little slack, basically.

In a way, it's actually in your own best interest to be kind. Do it for your own mental health.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

When I look at my own behavior and thought patterns, I can see them mirrored in the world at large. Yet, often I only realize in hindsight that I have been guilty of the same behavior that I dislike or judge others for doing.

Whether or not you take action to move forward in behaving and thinking in kinder ways is really the question. It's easier to re-negotiate your past narrative with yourself and justify your anger... or delusion... than it is to say, "I was wrong and I am now moving in a direction I know to be more loving."

At the end of my short film, Pinto actively treats his fellow beans with more kindness.

Pinto the Mean Bean - The way Pinto sees it, there's a lot to be upset about.

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

Well, since this was all hand-drawn, the animation took me over 5 months so each scene evolved slowly as I drew each frame. I actually love how slow the process is in one way; it forces me to be patient and sit with the ideas I'm animating. It's the complete opposite of the instant gratification of many aspects of our culture.

So, visually the film evolved continually as I worked on each scene. I storyboarded at first, but each scene changes once I start drawing it. A 3-second part of a scene could take me over a week working full-time so, of course, there is plenty of time for it to develop differently than I expected.

I basically just wrote the script in one sitting. It was an idea that I had thought about a lot so I just kept it simple and direct.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I've heard that it reminds people of animation from the '70s or '80s. It looks like stuff that was on old PBS shows like The Electric Company. I think that's comforting.

People have also told me they like the watercolor backgrounds.

Also, a lot of viewers have said that the Pinto character reminds them of somebody that they know in real life.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Not really. I'm just glad that the audience is understanding it as I intended it to be understood.

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

I would like to get it more widely distributed and find a literary agent to make a children's book to accompany the film.

Also, I would like to find a producer for an animated series starring Pinto called The Pinto Variety Hour where he is the host of a variety show that has interesting/surreal guests. I'm currently animating the pilot episode. You can check out its development at www.thepintovarietyhour.com

Pinto the Mean Bean - Out of Beanios again... just one of Pinto's many struggles.

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

I need all of the above! Obviously, I would like as many people to see Pinto the Mean Bean as possible since I believe in the message and think it's worthy of a larger audience.

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

I want it to remind anyone who watches it to think about how everyone has their own individual struggles.

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

The question would be: Why do you think you're more justified than somebody else to take out your frustration on the people around you?

Would you like to add anything else?

Don't be a mean bean.

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

I mentioned it previously but I'm currently working on an adult animated series starring the Pinto character called The Pinto Variety Hour. It's actually a half-hour show though. Pinto hosts a variety show called "The Pinto Variety Hour" but the series also follows Pinto as a family man raising two teenagers. Here's the logline:

"A recovering rageaholic bean struggles to get the respect he wants as the host of a failing variety show and the father of two teenagers."

Currently, I'm animating the pilot episode and most of the voice acting has been recorded. More information can be found at www.thepintovarietyhour.com

Pinto the Mean Bean poster - Pinto in traffic

Interview: July 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

Pinto the Mean Bean

Pinto is a bean who lives in a crowded, noisy place called Legumeopolis. By helping his fellow beans, Pinto learns that he's not alone in his struggle.

Length: 4:53

Director: R.J. Sullivan

Producer: R.J. Sullivan

Writer: R.J. Sullivan

About the writer, director and producer:

Originally inspired to create an animated music video as a Christmas present for his niece, R.J. SULLIVAN had developed into an award-winning animated filmmaker, composer, and screenwriter. R.J. creates 2D animated films for children and adults. For Pinto the Mean Bean, he hand-painted the watercolor backgrounds. His short films are simple and humorous with themes that are childishly existential. He hopes to inspire a kinder worldview with his animation.

Key cast: Ellie George-Wallis (Narrator), R.J. Sullivan (Pinto), Brianna Lawrence (Fava), Matt Simpson (Brother Bean)

Looking for: distributors, sales agents, producers, buyers

Instagram: @r.j.sullivan_animation

Hashtags used: #dwfla, #kidsanimation, #animatedfilm

Website: catchandhatch.com

Other: YouTube

Made in association with: Catch and Hatch Studios

Funders: Self-funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Dances With Films/Los Angeles, CA -June 25, 2023