Animated Shorts

Lava

Animated Shorts

Over the summer, I will write a short piece each Wednesday called Animated Shorts.

From the early days of cinema, animated shorts have been used before the start of a film (ok, they were called theatre presentations back then).

Steamboat Wille (1928) was one of the first used by Disney, but I will look at the ones used by Disney Pixar with some of its films more recently.

I was struck recently after listening to an interview with Walt Disney. He was talking about being asked by a stranger on a train what he did.

Walt Disney replied, saying he was in movies. The man instantly sat up, paying attention.

“What kind of movies?” Asked the man.

Walt answered animation, and the man sat back in his chair, grumbling that animation wasn’t the movies.

This struck me that animation was, and in many cases still is, seen as something for children. We all enjoy animation and could all mention a cartoon we have enjoyed…as an adult.

This is the first in the series of Animated Shorts

Lava,2014

This was the short that was on before Inside Out. It is a musical love story that cleverly happens over millions of years. James Ford Murphy wrote, directed and produced the piece, which began with his love of Hawaii, where he went on his honeymoon 25 years earlier.

Amidst the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean lies a tropical island home to a solitary volcano. This lonely volcanic peak has silently observed the vibrant wildlife creatures frolicking with their companions. Longing for his mate, the volcano yearns to find someone with whom he can share his existence.

For millions of years, a volcano has expressed his emotions by serenading the vast ocean with his song each day. He releases his pent-up feelings slowly through lava flows as he gradually descends into the ocean. Unknown to him, a submerged female volcano has been enchanted by his singing and is captivated by his affectionate gestures.

The momentous day arrives when the male volcano approaches the brink of extinction, almost consumed by his own emotions. On this very day, the female volcano emerges from the ocean's depths. However, her face remains veiled, preventing her from seeing the one who has touched her heart.

With a heavy heart, the male volcano sinks entirely into the ocean, his spirit shattered. Yet, fate has a twist in store for him. The male volcano is revitalised when he hears the familiar melody, his song, sung to him. A spark of hope ignites within him, and he erupts back to the surface, rising alongside the female volcano.

In a display of love and unity, the two volcanoes merge, becoming one island, harmonising their voices in a symphony of affection. Together, they create a paradise where they can sing songs of love and companionship for eternity. A new chapter begins as they embark on a shared journey, united in a bond that will stand the test of time.

All this is done in around five minutes and is an excellent example of an animated short.

Watch here.

Animated is a weekly newsletter exploring the stories behind famous cartoons.