There's a rich, longstanding connection between animation and fable, and that dynamic is vital to the sensibility of the animated short film The Voice in the Hollow from Miguel Ortega and Tran Ma. Both have notable backgrounds in visual effects work, with credits that include work on Transformers, Thor, Alice in Wonderland and Avatar to name just a few. The Voice in the Hollow marks a major moment in their filmmaking evolution. For Ortega, the short film is a fable and, in keeping with that tradition, he and Ma found themselves embarking on a creative journey into unknown territory where discoveries and creative revelations were made.
Guillermo del Toro has recently reminded audiences that animation can be more than only a medium for the family entertainment space with his adaptation of Pinocchio. Certainly, Ortega and Ma’s new short film attests to the power of animation to strike a number of raw emotional and psychological nerve endings. It’s a story that ventures into horror and the supernatural; suffused as it is with images that vividly express the inner lives of characters, and all done within a scenario that fuses the mysterious with the visceral.
Ortega begins by sketching out the genesis for the film, explaining that it was initially sparked by a northern Californian story about a Paleo-Indian girl who fell into a cave and the numerous people who endeavoured to rescue her, but only ever with tragic ends.
This story is from the June 2023 edition of 3D World UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2023 edition of 3D World UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
RenderMan 26
Knowing that the journey for Pixar’s RenderMan software began 37 years ago feels mind-boggling – but it’s still at the top of its game.
Visualising Einstein's past for Netflix
Lux Aeterna honed its expertise in CG to bring the famous physicist's memories back to life for Einstein and the Bomb
BRANCHING OUT
Whiskytree founder and CEO Jonathan Harb lifts the lid on the studio's story and its phenomenal success in turbulent times
CAN I CREATE SMOKE OR FOG EFFECTS ON A MOBILE DEVICE?
Liquids, fur, hair, steam, smoke, fog, fire, magical effects and so much more are all daily requirements in most 3D packages, but are almost always created with a particle system of some type.
Fusion Studio 19
Now in its 10th year under the wings of Blackmagic Design, Fusion Studio is stronger than ever.
DaVinci Resolve 19
There are more choices on the market than ever when it comes to picking your favourite video editing software.
Tribute to a sensei
The team at French visual development and game studio Umeshu Lovers walk us through creating their Akira Toriyama-inspired April Fools' demo
DEVELOP ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE WITH LIGHTNING EFFECTS
Rob Redman delivers a bolt of brilliance with a quick guide to giving your scenes a high-voltage feeling
BUILD A SELL-OUT STADIUM CROWD
Mario Leone takes to the stage with a step-by-step guide to creating an arena full of cheering people in Houdini
DESIGN AND RENDER A SPELLBINDING CHARACTER
Ivan Mironenko shares his process for creating a captivating figure in a bewitching scene