Script Sirens set to release new animation anthology
Local Midlands group Script Sirens is championing the creative talents of female and non-binary creatives in new animation anthology SPECTRUM.
Eight animated short films will explore a range of subjects such as race, healthcare, neurodiversity, mental health and grief. And each short showcases a variety of animation styles as well as original music.
To make these films a reality, eight of the members of Script Sirens have each been matched with an animator and a composer, meaning the full anthology will showcase the work of twenty four female and non-binary creatives.
The films will be released on the Script Sirens YouTube channel, one a week from Saturday 23 April 2022.
The eight films include The Belties (Louise Osbourne, Morgane Billault & Katie Ellwood) which sees a kind-hearted farmer who’s tasked with sending his beloved cows to slaughter but resorts to hiding his herd in increasingly ridiculous ways. Dance is a dark and surreal horror about a woman tormented by a demon, told through an original poem with a story by Melina DeNiro and animation from Alexi Scheiber and music by Katherina Hristova.
Just James (Carmen Capuano, Rachel Somers, Meiling Zhong) tells the tale of a socially awkward man who is rejected by his crush then lets his imagination run free with the scarf she left behind. Something Different features a boy struggling to connect with his parents due to his undiagnosed synaesthesia, but finds support from his best friend (Annabel Brightling, Anna Rickards and Ruxandra Albulescu & Aurora Sunn).
Unhome (Kayleigh Watson, Monica Scanlan, Steph Williams) sees a shipwrecked dog confronted by an indigenous pack and through their differences explore the importance of culture and community. White Roses shows a rivalry between neighbours that quickly escalates, but when one of them experiences loss, the other puts aside their differences to offer support. Story by Miriam Sarin, animation: Sharon E Sørensen & music by Camille De Beus
You’re Still You (Holly Louise Psaliou, Dorota Sloma & Haleema Smith) explores the sensitive subject of breast cancer where a young woman joins a support group and learns to celebrate the range of options available to survivors. And finally ZX sees a hero bringing colour and life to the world but fighting the evil competitors drain their power. Story by Alexandra Taylor, animation by Ana Caro & music by Camille De Beus.
SPECTRUM is being co-produced by Annabel Brightling and Alexandra Taylor, who together they interviewed over 50 animators for the project.
During production, they took a more focused role, supporting the animator, composer and writer to bring these stories to life.
For updates, follow Script Sirens on Twitter and head to the official website for more information on the project and all the films.
