Why Practical Puppets Beat CGI in Emotional Storytelling

Chat with Australian filmmaker Dylan Randall (REACH FOR THE STARS) on the making of his Sci-Fi film and deciding to make a puppet instead of making a CGI creature in post (which is A LOT easier and less time-consuming to do.) because it’s simply better storytelling.


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Reach for the Stars, 22min., Australia

Directed by Dylan Randall

After her mother’s passing, young Madeline is struggling with coming to terms with her grief. One night, when a small spacecraft crashes in her backyard, she meets B3R1, a stranded visitor from the stars.

https://www.instagram.com/outatimepictures

Director Statement

Reach For the Stars is a project that I hold very close to my heart, as the idea came after the passing of my Grandad, and how my family and I dealt with the grief that followed.

My film aims to be a light-hearted, wonder-filled adventure with emotional undertones that helps us explore the idea of how different people deal with loss, and how that can be overcome.When bringing this story to life, I was heavily inspired by the wonderful work of the ‘Industrial Light and Magic’ studio and the puppets created for the original Star Wars, and I began to wonder how I could incorporate these techniques into my story. The emotional weight of this film is carried by B3R1, our little robot friend, while also bringing wonder to your screens. B3R1 acts as an emotional bridge for our audience to connect them to the story and to act as a sense of hope that people may need.

Reach For the Stars is a heartfelt, nostalgic, science fiction tale that I hope brings you joy, wonder, and lets you know that it is okay to miss somebody, because that means you really loved them.

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Published
Categorized as Festival
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