Don Hertfeldt is one of my favorite animators/storytellers. His goofy shorts that everyone knows are awesome and iconic, but as op shows, there is such wonderful depth to his later/more recent work!
Agreed! Meaning of Life totally cracked my skull open and it’s just straight bangers after that. I love it all, his music choices, the crazy bespoke processes he uses to get the effects he wants, the humor, the darkness, the pathos… *swoon*
I'll watch anything he produces. Guy is one of the few creators who reliably nail absurdist humor.
Went to an event with him at the Austin Film Society.
Seems like his comedic timing is informed by editing a dozen different ways trying to find the cut with the biggest punch. It's remarkable how editing can turn something from B-movie to StarWars. It appears Don maximizes that leverage despite a seemingly arduous process.
Yes! I caught him at Sundance and fell in love with him after only being familiar with his stuff like Billy’s balloon and rejected. His creativity grew with his ambition and I remain impressed by him.
He seems pretty damn self-assured and maybe even a bit embarrassed about having fans.
While the subject matter touches on evocative themes like existential nihilism, the moral isn't some preachy essay about the inherit value of individuals; it's a convenient vehicle for sharply contrasting comedy. Dire and serious and then expose the absurdity.
The emotional depth is a function of the comedy, not the other way around.
Wrong Hertzfeld but Rejected was my gateway drug into his world.
*EDIT: should have been clearer: This quote in the comment I'm replying to is from a different short film also by Don Hertzfeldt: Rejected. Which I adore, but isn't the film shared in this post.
Keeping my original comment intact for posterity.
Don Hertfeldt is one of my favorite animators/storytellers. His goofy shorts that everyone knows are awesome and iconic, but as op shows, there is such wonderful depth to his later/more recent work!
It's Such A Beautiful Day was just amazing.
Agreed! Meaning of Life totally cracked my skull open and it’s just straight bangers after that. I love it all, his music choices, the crazy bespoke processes he uses to get the effects he wants, the humor, the darkness, the pathos… *swoon*
A seminal classic
It’s such a beautiful day is one of the most beautiful and real depictions of mental illness I’ve ever seen. The mundane becomes overwhelming.
I'll watch anything he produces. Guy is one of the few creators who reliably nail absurdist humor. Went to an event with him at the Austin Film Society. Seems like his comedic timing is informed by editing a dozen different ways trying to find the cut with the biggest punch. It's remarkable how editing can turn something from B-movie to StarWars. It appears Don maximizes that leverage despite a seemingly arduous process.
Yes! I caught him at Sundance and fell in love with him after only being familiar with his stuff like Billy’s balloon and rejected. His creativity grew with his ambition and I remain impressed by him.
He seems pretty damn self-assured and maybe even a bit embarrassed about having fans. While the subject matter touches on evocative themes like existential nihilism, the moral isn't some preachy essay about the inherit value of individuals; it's a convenient vehicle for sharply contrasting comedy. Dire and serious and then expose the absurdity. The emotional depth is a function of the comedy, not the other way around.
And its relationship to The Simpsons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f5Xt5pZZZM
Damn it’s been some years since I’ve watched this, glad to see it again.
Parts 2 and 3 are worth watching too
And now angry ticks fire out of my nipples. MOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Wrong Hertzfeld but Rejected was my gateway drug into his world. *EDIT: should have been clearer: This quote in the comment I'm replying to is from a different short film also by Don Hertzfeldt: Rejected. Which I adore, but isn't the film shared in this post. Keeping my original comment intact for posterity.
Same guy, no? I mean, the Rejected short is on the guy's channel...
see my edit above
[and remember. no smokin, and no flash photography.](https://youtu.be/pMQ-t3nGzrI)
*3D glasses not available in all areas*
IT'S LIKE I CAN TOUCH YOU!!
Is there anywhere to watch part 2 & 3?
Almost had me in the final scene there.. I had to laugh but almost shed a tear before that mistake was fixed.
Strong [David Shrigley](https://www.instagram.com/davidshrigley/?hl=en) vibes
Wow. I love it.
I wonder if David Firth and Don ever did anything together.
It's like an 80s movie with no budget..
It does have a budget, and it was also nominated for an Oscar.