Stranding is an animated short film that follows 10-year-old Theo as he finds solace in a mysterious beached whale while his parents plan their divorce.
Stranding is an animated short film that follows 10-year-old Theo as he finds solace in a mysterious beached whale while his parents plan their divorce.
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Story
Mission Statement
We aim to tell stories within small communities revolving around collective humanity and the environment we inhabit. As filmmakers, we strongly believe in taking children and their stories seriously. In doing that we hope to tell a story that will resonate with audiences of all ages.About The Project
Logline
10-year-old Theo finds solace in a mysterious beached whale while his parents plan their divorce.
The Story
We open on Barb and George sitting down their son, Theo, to break the bad news: after a long time coming, they’re finally separating for good. Unphased, Theo cheerily responds, “Don’t worry, you guys will work it out” and marches off to bed, totally in denial.
As the film continues, Theo refuses to accept the news about his parents’ divorce. The next day, a magnificent grey whale beaches and dies on the local fishing beach. Unlike everyone else in their town, Theo sees the dead whale as a wonderful thing, a new friend, and an escape.
But you can’t hold on to something that isn’t meant to be. Just as the parent’s separation is inevitable, the dead whale begins to rot and stink until even Theo finds it upsetting. The film paints in vivid metaphor the bittersweet coming of age experience of having to say goodbye to a chapter of life, to a family unit, or even to a smelly cetacean.
The project is already well underway with an ambitious animation timeline. Funds can be used imminently to finish the film and release it to the festival circuit (and share it with you!)
Why This Story? (by Reef Oldberg)
I grew up in a coastal fishing town in rural Mexico. When I was around 10 years old a whale beached itself nearby and it became a town spectacle. People would drive down to the beach, pull up a chair, drink a beer, and admire the magnitude and oddity of this massive creature. The whale inevitably started to rot. Flies and seagulls outnumbered the spectators and fishermen and the smell became unbearable. Suddenly, everyone was trying to get rid of it. People tried burning it, pushing it with trucks, and chopping it up, but every new half-baked idea didn't get the job done.
By this time in my life, my parents were separated. This beached whale was something new, exciting, and scary in my life and I couldn't look away.
I've held on to this story for years, endlessly asking myself: "how in the world am I going to tell this story and no money and no dead whale readily available."
Enter animation.
Why Now?
To put it mildly, it’s been hard to stay connected with loved ones over the past year of quarantine. For us, creating an animated project with 100% remote collaboration has been an opportunity to connect with other people, coming together to make something special to all of us.
We see “Stranding” as a spiritual and practical response to the pandemic. Spiritually, our story mirrors our collective experiences this past year as it centers on the fear of losing your connection with loved ones, and the resilience of loving relationships through periods of upsetting change. Practically, an all-remote animation project is a perfect medium during these strange times.
Incentives
$10
Common Minke Whale
Alone it doesn't stand a chance, but as a group, the Minke Whales could rule the oceans.
Incentive: Early access to the film.
$25
Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale
With a name like that you can't go wrong.
Incentive: Special Thanks in the credits and early access to the film, plus a custom sharable video clip of your name in the painted style of the film
$50
Orca Whale
A killer whale with some killer incentives.
Incentives: A custom"Stranding" sticker, special thanks in the credits, early access to the film, plus a custom sharable video clip of your name in the painted style of the film.
$100
Beluga Whale
BELUUUUUUUGA!
Incentive: A handpainted watercolor sketch of a character from the film, custom "Stranding" sticker, special thanks in the credits, early access to the film, plus a custom sharable video clip of your name in the painted style of the film.
$500
Blue Whale
It's the largest animal that's ever existed. That could be YOU.
Incentive: Executive Producer credit, a handpainted watercolor sketch of a character from the film, custom "Stranding" sticker, early access to the film, plus a custom sharable video clip of your name in the painted style of the film
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Common Minke Whale
Alone it doesn't stand a chance, but as a group, the Minke Whales could rule the oceans.
Incentive: Early access to the film.
$25
Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale
With a name like that you can't go wrong.
Incentive: Special Thanks in the credits and early access to the film, plus a custom sharable video clip of your name in the painted style of the film
$50
Orca Whale
A killer whale with some killer incentives.
Incentives: A custom"Stranding" sticker, special thanks in the credits, early access to the film, plus a custom sharable video clip of your name in the painted style of the film.
$100
Beluga Whale
BELUUUUUUUGA!
Incentive: A handpainted watercolor sketch of a character from the film, custom "Stranding" sticker, special thanks in the credits, early access to the film, plus a custom sharable video clip of your name in the painted style of the film.
$500
Blue Whale
It's the largest animal that's ever existed. That could be YOU.
Incentive: Executive Producer credit, a handpainted watercolor sketch of a character from the film, custom "Stranding" sticker, early access to the film, plus a custom sharable video clip of your name in the painted style of the film
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Ben Kadie | Writer | Director | Lead Animator
Ben’s 16 short films have screened at more than 200 festivals around the world and his music videos have been viewed over a million times online. He’s passionate about telling deeply human stories, challenging the status quo, and advocating for social justice and diversity in media.
Reef Oldberg | Writer | Producer
Reef is a Los Angeles-based producer and director. Having grown up in rural Mexico, Reef found that the microcosms within small communities always created compelling stories with rich texture and authenticity, manifesting a passion for stories revolving around collective humanity and the environment we inhabit.
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Emily Halaka | Character Designer | Animation Advisor
Emily is an animator and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. A native Californian and a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, her work in both animation and live-action has exhibited in festivals.
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