The ALT Guide to Character Design

Pictoplasma Berlin 2018 kicks open the doors May 2 with this fun short film which director Jon Dunleavy describes as “a subversive initiation into the art of character design, as told by a malevolent artificial intelligence.”

Jon Dunleavy: “The project has evolved over a year, with social and cultural concerns such as gender and race feeding into unashamed silliness of the piece, creating a tension in tone.

“Building on my character driven and satirical short film work, I have been compelled to address bigger concerns, in no small part due to becoming a father set against the rise of topical issues such Brexit and Trump.

“The finale of the piece offers a positive proposal, that the human spirit will rise up and win the day, and keep fighting the perennial negativity that can creep it’s way back into society.

“I liken the resulting film to a Monty Python sketch, mixing the absurd and whimsical with undertones of social issues and anxieties.”
 
Jon Dunleavy ALT Guide to Character Design Pictoplasma | STASH MAGAZINE

Jon Dunleavy ALT Guide to Character Design Pictoplasma | STASH MAGAZINE

Jon Dunleavy ALT Guide to Character Design Pictoplasma | STASH MAGAZINE

Jon Dunleavy ALT Guide to Character Design Pictoplasma | STASH MAGAZINE

Jon Dunleavy ALT Guide to Character Design Pictoplasma | STASH MAGAZINE

Jon Dunleavy ALT Guide to Character Design Pictoplasma | STASH MAGAZINE

Jon Dunleavy ALT Guide to Character Design Pictoplasma | STASH MAGAZINE

Director: Jon Dunleavy
Animation: Chris Dunleavy, Tom Dunleavy
Music/sound design: Phil Archer