Amsterdam studio PlusOne Pictures has launched its new animated short Screeaam, an independent effort that seeks to express the emotions brought up by human isolation. Directed by Martijn Hogenkamp, the film is available to watch on Vimeo.
Conceived during the second COVID lockdown in February 2021, the film reflects this spectrum of reactions, blending a variety of techniques including 3D CG and frame-by-frame animation.
“Screeaam delves into the depths of the human soul,” says Hogenkamp. “Embracing the labor-intensive yet organic nature of hand-drawn animation enabled us to accentuate the human character, inviting viewers to immerse themselves into a narrative crafted with care and passion.”
The collaborative project enlisted multiple artists to contribute to each frame (a counterpoint to the encroachment of AI-driven work, the producers point out), as well as Amsterdam-based audio designers Kloaq. “From the outset, Screeaam was a labor of love, with countless hours and an abundance of blood, sweat, and tears poured into its creation,” executive producer Marcel Vrieswijk notes.
Director/EP Hogenkamp adds, “We couldn’t be more proud of the final result, and extend our heartfelt gratitude to the team whose dedication and creativity breathed life into this film.”
The creative team on Screeaam also included producer Thijs Klaassen, storyboard artist Alexandra Marguerita and cel animation lead Amanda Nedermeijer.
Learn more about the studio at plusoneamsterdam.com.
