A lot of teens are finding lockdown very difficult. It’s a period in life when your circle of friends helps you define who you are. Many also feel that they’re “missing out on life”.

Canadian director, Edward Andrews, isn’t a teen, but when lockdown became a reality, he found that a lot of his work disappeared because projects were shelved. “As a director I had to adapt, and I saw this as a creative challenge: Stay safe and help to flatten the curve, but continue telling emotional stories that connect with people,” he explained.

Andrews teamed up with Jeremy Stewart, co-founder of Animism Studios, producer Kelsy Wittmann, and creative director Jonathan Guy. “We had been seeing a lot in the news about the unprecedented surge in calls to mental health and kids’ helplines due to the pandemic,” Guy commented.

The group decided to try and help in some small way by raising awareness for mental health. “We were in discussions about our next commercial when the COVID crisis suddenly put a stop to everything,” Stewart continued. “It would have been far easier to just send our crew home and tell them to wait till this was all over. Instead, we chose to keep our people employed and working safely from home for a good cause.”

https://vimeo.com/410796508

Once the animation got to a certain point, they asked Didier Tovel and his studio, SNDWRx, to write an original score.

Their hope is that the spot reminds people to also think about their mental health. “Although we all find ourselves in a situation of isolation, I can’t begin to think how this new reality is the norm for many children out there in need of support,” Tovel stated.

“Reach out to someone. Ask how they’re doing. It can really go a long way,” Andrews added.

While the project doesn’t have an organisation attached to it, everyone who worked on it has made a donation to a cause of their choice. “We hope this encourages others to donate if they are in a position to do so. These organisations need our help now more than ever,” Guy commented.

Causes donated to:

Animism Studios: Doctors Without Borders
SNDWRx: SickKids Foundation
Edward Andrews: MIND
Jonathan Guy: CAMH

Credits:

Production Company: Animism Studios
Director & Editor: Edward Andrews
Creative Director: Jonathan Guy
Writers: Jonathan Guy & Edward Andrews
Visual Effects & Animation: Animism Studios
Animation & Art Director: Jeremy Stewart
VFX Producer: Kelsy Wittmann
VFX Supervisor: Michael Stewart
CG Artists: Brad McGiveron, Daniel Davie & Jamie Schmitt
Concept Design: Francis Bezooyen
Rigging Support: Victor Barbosa
Tech Support: Paulo Nogeueira

Colour Grading: Sam Gilling

Music & Sound: SNDWRx
Written & Composed by: Didier Tovel
Performed by: Nefe
Sound Design: Didier Tovel
Additional Sound Design: Geoff Devine