The project, directed by Maria Andreotti, celebrates the life and work of the legendary animation sculptor, using both stop-motion and live-action footage, and features interviews with notable industry leaders including Henry Selick and Glen Keane.
The Kickstarter campaign for the untitled Kent Melton documentary, which celebrates the life and work of the legendary animation sculptor, is in its final days for backing.
Maria Andreotti, who met Melton at LAIKA in 2011 during their work on The Boxtrolls, directs the project. “It was incredible to watch him sculpt every day while he told the funniest jokes and casually inspired everyone to pursue every single one of their dreams,” said Andreotti. “Over the years after the films we stayed in touch and began planning this documentary in 2020 when Kent was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. Unfortunately, we lost him earlier this year.”
“With his family's blessing I have decided to finish the documentary using stop-motion animation for Kent's interviews,” Andreotti continued. “I have obtained over four hours of audio and am designing a puppet based on Kent's own self-portrait design and a set based on his home studio for the shoot. The rest of the interviews will be shot in live-action across multiple cities and feature various industry legends who have already agreed to participate, including Henry Selick, Brad Bird, John Musker & Ron Clements, Glen Keane, Don Hahn, among many others.”
Check out the trailer now:
With only three days left on the campaign, Andreotti is close to reaching her goal. “If we succeed the film will be an invaluable addition to the world of animation documentaries, as well as a beautiful dedication to stop motion, a medium Kent loved,” she concluded.
The Kickstarter can be found here.
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
