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It all started out on a random day sitting around at my newly rented work space. I was feeling grumpy about losing my former job and having no prospects, no idea what to do next. Luckily I share this office with a very nice animation production (Bounty Studio). One of them, Freudi, asked if I wanted to contribute a short film to the Landjäger Film Festival and I accepted the more than welcome challenge.
I had been messing around with Blender 3D’s Grease Pencil and 2D animation features anyway and decided to just have some fun with it. I found this tiny odd children’s toy with strobo-flashing lights at home (my daughter’s) and got reminded of a hardcore rave.
So I came up with a “small” narrative around that, started drawing and storyboarding partying bugs and presto… the insect excess was done.
To my surprise Lights On (Bug Club) went on to get nominated, and then I even won 3rd Jury Price at the Landjäger Awards at a fully packed Gartenbaukino (over 700 seats). Seeing and hearing people really enjoying my short felt indescribable.
So I went from being down and aimless to holding an award in my hands. The (director’s cut of the) film went on to be shown at other festivals and even was selected as one of the Best Austrian Animation of 2023. It’s on IMDb too. Thanks Freudi, thanks Blender, thanks life’s randomness…