HEAVEN IS A TRAFFIC JAM ON THE 405
Oscar-winning Documentary π
"HEAVEN IS A TRAFFIC JAM ON THE 405" is a documentary short film directed by Frank Stiefel that delves into the life and mind of artist Mindy Alper.
Collaborating with director Frank Stiefel on "HEAVEN IS A TRAFFIC JAM ON THE 405" was both an honor and a pleasure. Animating Mindy Alper's incredible artwork presented an extraordinary opportunity. Upon first encountering her drawings, I immediately sensed the motion and story within them. In an effort to preserve the integrity of her art, I refrained from adding extraneous elements and focused on maintaining the original strokes and textures during the animation process. Subtlety was key, with just enough movement to convey the narrative.
While most of my recent projects have focused on CG and live action, this pure 2D graphic endeavor brought me back to the essence of animation. The word "animation" originates from the Latin term "anima," which means "soul" or "breath." This project was a beautiful reminder of the power of simple, hand-drawn images, as it allowed me to breathe life into Mindy's art and capture the soul of her story.
I am thrilled that this film has garnered multiple awards, including an Oscar! Congratulations to Frank, Mindy, and the entire team!
Collaborating with director Frank Stiefel on "HEAVEN IS A TRAFFIC JAM ON THE 405" was both an honor and a pleasure. Animating Mindy Alper's incredible artwork presented an extraordinary opportunity. Upon first encountering her drawings, I immediately sensed the motion and story within them. In an effort to preserve the integrity of her art, I refrained from adding extraneous elements and focused on maintaining the original strokes and textures during the animation process. Subtlety was key, with just enough movement to convey the narrative.
While most of my recent projects have focused on CG and live action, this pure 2D graphic endeavor brought me back to the essence of animation. The word "animation" originates from the Latin term "anima," which means "soul" or "breath." This project was a beautiful reminder of the power of simple, hand-drawn images, as it allowed me to breathe life into Mindy's art and capture the soul of her story.
I am thrilled that this film has garnered multiple awards, including an Oscar! Congratulations to Frank, Mindy, and the entire team!
Director: Frank Stiefel
Artist: Mindy Alper
Editor: Ting Poo
Composer: Paul Maroon
VFX: Casey Price
Executive Producer: Darcy Parsons
Animation: Masaki Yokochi
