Studio’s new short, directed by Taylor Meacham, with character designs by Nico Marlet, is latest entry in the DreamWorks Shorts program started back in 2017.
DreamWorks Animation has just released three “first look” images and announced the April 18, 2020 Tribeca Film Festival world premiere date of their new animated short, To: Gerard. The latest entry in the DreamWorks Shorts program launched in November 2017, To: Gerard is a love letter from writer/director Taylor Meacham (making his directorial debut) to his father - one that unifies his love for animation and the art of illusion - to tell a heartfelt story about how life’s greatest magic is inspiring someone else to follow their dreams…even if you haven’t achieved your own. The short is produced by Jeff Herman, producer on the studio’s upcoming The Boss Baby 2 as well as previous shorts Marooned, Bilby and Bird Karma, with character designs by four-time Annie Award winner Nico Marlet. Music is by Layla Minoui.
According to Meacham, "New York has such a historical wealth of great filmmakers that have deeply inspired me while growing up, and Manhattan is where I first got my foot in the door within the film industry. Because of my relation to this city, it feels like such a gift to be able to come back to New York and the Tribeca Film Festival to share a part of myself with the world that was such a strong backdrop to my interests and ambitions in telling stories."
“When we first started To: Gerard, there was no guarantee that we would be able to complete the short, let alone have it released,” Herman added. “To premiere the short as part of the Tribeca Film Festival is an incredible honor, one that is beyond our wildest dreams.”
In the film, toward the doldrum end of his shift, a sprightly mailman sorts envelopes and packages nimbly with the flick of a wrist. Despite working in a post office all his life, Gerard has dreamed of one day finding his audience as a famous magician like his childhood hero. With effortless dexterity that accompanies mastery, this delightfully overgrown kid practices magic every day with a special coin…a gift from The Great Vivonti.
When an inquisitive young girl named Jules wanders upon his practiced routine, she’s dazzled by his talents. With the help of his cherished coin, Gerard charms his first-ever audience member with an impromptu magic show. In this moment, two artists—separated by decades—unknowingly set off a chain reaction that will change both of their lives forever.
More information on the Tribeca Film Festival can be found on their website.
Source: DreamWorks Animation
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
