The internationally renowned animation film school, The Animation Workshop (TAW), from the Danish town Viborg, has for almost a year worked on a series of extremely professional animated short films for ONE OF US. This has also been an exciting collaboration venture that last from autumn 2017 to spring 2018. It has also been an inspiring relationship because TAW manages to combine the ambition of keeping a high professional standard – concerning both the student and the lecturer forces – with creating an open, creative and warm atmosphere.
The project comprises of six 35-second films that were launched from June to July 2018. They showcase issues related to mental illnesses and address several of the different audiences and focus areas that ONE OF US has been dedicated to. Although the productions are in English, the films can easily be understood by everyone.
All films in English are available through our YouTube channel. They are great to be used in different contexts in which ONE OF US is contributing to define an agenda.
How was ONE OF US so lucky to be considered?
Every year, since 2010 and as part of their education, TAW’s second-year students have been choosing an NGO for whom they produce a film. TAW prioritises small organisations with limited financial resources and that work with volunteers. From a list of suggestions for organisations that the students compiled, ONE OF US got most votes.
The objective of the project is to provide students the experience of working for a client. The pupils have to create a product based on the guidelines presented by the customer as well as their study’s learning objectives. They need to find out how to best communicate a message in the 35 seconds they are allowed to use. This also means that they must focus on the production’s target group and the most suitable form of communication to reach it.
At the films’ exhibition at TAW, in May 2018, the students voiced the importance of ONE OF US’ engagement in the creative process and that they have become more aware of how complex it is to treat themes related to mental problems in a creative, respectful and appealing manner. Micky, one of the students who took part in the project, said the following:
“I was interested in the mental disorders issue because I myself have fought all my life against the problem, but I was worried that working with the topic would be a constant reminder of myself and my problems. I prefer not talking about it and I would just like to do things that make other people happy. Therefore, I was tremendously happy to be part of a project that was focused on good environment and high pace, made people smile, and has fantastic music and even 2D animations that I had an opportunity to work with.
About the films:
In Balance
A physical manifestation of a dancer’s severe anxiety nearly sabotages her big day. She overcomes it and preforms beautifully to standing ovation.
Broken
A young high school girl experiences a panic attack and flees to the bathroom where someone notices her and reaches out to help her.
The Applicant
A middle aged male executive of an office setting finds himself challenged on his own prejudices during an interview with a job-seeking young female applicant who discloses her mental illness.
Mental Combat
When met with prejudice about his mental illness, Randy takes up the fight along with his friends in a videogame world.
Burden
Alice, while on the subway, is overwhelmed by the dark manifestations of people’s conversations.
Sad Viking
A Viking suffering with a mental illness goes through the motions of life, without telling anyone, until one keen eyed member of his party notices and decides to take action.