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Metaphysical Cyclical Shorts

Umbra by Malcolm Sutherland is a Trippy Foray Into the Void

— May 21, 2012 — Art & Design
Umbra by Malcon Sutherland is an animated short revolving around a cyclical sequence that seems to be destined to repeat itself. The video is in black and white (except for the blue of the adventurer's helmet) and entirely hand-drawn.

It begins with an adventurer crashing onto an unknown planet. Walking around, the stalwart explorer seems content with his new discovery until he comes across a civilization of mini people who are obsessed with jumping through the gap created by the explorer's shadow. After trying to run away, falling down and experiencing a strange dream, the adventurer wakes up to find himself amongst the mini people, trying to jump into the shadow of his larger former self.

The video feels like a darker, animated version of Groundhog Dog, the Bill Murray movie in which a man must continue to relive the same day until he discovers what needs to change.
Trend Themes
1. Cyclical Animation - Opportunity for creating animated shorts that explore cyclical sequences and repetition in storytelling.
2. Hand-drawn Animation - Opportunity for utilizing the traditional technique of hand-drawn animation in creating visually stunning animated shorts.
3. Meta-narratives - Opportunity for creating animated shorts that delve into self-referential and self-aware storytelling.
Industry Implications
1. Animation - Disruptive innovation opportunity in the animation industry by incorporating cyclical storytelling and hand-drawn animation techniques.
2. Film - Opportunity for creating meta-narrative films that explore themes of repetition and self-discovery.
3. Art - Opportunity for artists to explore the use of animated shorts as a medium for self-expression and meta storytelling.
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