Award-winning animation filmmaker Kyle Ameson chats with Matthew Toffolo about the art of animation storytelling. Making a 4-minute film, but always wanting to make the long-form films and create a layered epic animation story.
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Meevil the Weevil: Breakfast of Champions, 4min., USA
Directed by Kyle Arneson
Meevil the Weevil is a little bug with big dreams of being a stuntman. “Breakfast of Champions” mixes stop motion animation with live action footage where we follow Meevil’s thrilling ride across a 1970s breakfast table on rocket roller
skates.https://www.instagram.com/stunt.bug/
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
The film came about after developing the character as a hesitant hero with big dreams of grandeur. It’s strongly inspired by the stunt men and women of the 1970’s and 80’s that I found so captivating back when the world was a little more shag-carpeted and wood-paneled. During this initial creative period I lost my father unexpectedly and it was at some point in the haze of the grieving process I realized that the relationship between Meevil, and Olis, his coach, mirrored that of my relationship to my father. So with that guiding light, the ethos of the project became clear and bringing it to reality became a goal for me as a way to honor my dad.
From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
From idea to final product this film took 3 years to make. Nothing happens fast in stop motion animation, the puppet had to be designed and built, all of the props and sets were hand made and the entire film was shot one frame at a time.
How would you describe your film in two words!?
Nostalgic fun!
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