# Metaphysical Cyclical Shorts Umbra by Malcolm Sutherland is a Trippy Foray Into the Void By Andrew Robertson | Published 2012-05-18 | Updated 2012-05-21 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/umbra-by-malcolm-sutherland References: [juxtapoz](http://www.juxtapoz.com/Illustration/umbra-a-short-adventurous-animation) & [youtube](http://www.youtube.com/user/animalcolm) Umbra by Malcon Sutherland is an [animated short](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yukis-revenge) revolving around a cyclical sequence that seems to be destined to repeat itself. The video is in [black and white](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spacetime-transformation-lamp) (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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/afterlife-generator), 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 Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.4/10 - Popularity: 1% | Activity: 3% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Cyclical Animation:** Opportunity for creating animated shorts that explore cyclical sequences and repetition in storytelling. - **Hand-drawn Animation:** Opportunity for utilizing the traditional technique of hand-drawn animation in creating visually stunning animated shorts. - **Meta-narratives:** Opportunity for creating animated shorts that delve into self-referential and self-aware storytelling. ### Where This Applies - **Animation:** Disruptive innovation opportunity in the animation industry by incorporating cyclical storytelling and hand-drawn animation techniques. - **Film:** Opportunity for creating meta-narrative films that explore themes of repetition and self-discovery. - **Art:** Opportunity for artists to explore the use of animated shorts as a medium for self-expression and meta storytelling. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Hand-Drawn Animation Shorts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zen-grogu-and-dust-bunnies.md) - [Fungi-Inspired Multidisciplinary Art Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-void.md) - [Mind-Bending Graphic Novels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/incal.md) - [Animated Short Film Trailers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carls-date.md) - [Stop-Motion Short Animations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/over-the-garden-wall.md) - [Mysterious Platformer Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elypse.md) - [Brain-Like Labyrinths](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brash-collective.md) - [Insect-Inspired Technical Baggage](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metamorphosis-collection.md) - [Kaleidoscopic Dream Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dreamachine.md)