SYNOPSIS
A young bear copes with depression.
Gasoline Productions presents this short film based on the children's book by Javier C. Rivera.
Edited using artwork by Hui Min Liu, voice work by Ashley Ramirez and music by Tino Ghost.
Offered in English and Spanish.
CHARACTERS
B.B.
Mamí Bear
Happy Ants
H.M. Squirrel
A.R. Squirrel
Y.N. Squirrel
CAST / CREW
Written by |
JAVIER C. RIVERA |
Illustrations by |
HUI MIN LIU |
Spanish Translation by |
YELBA NIBYA RIVERA |
English and Spanish Reading by |
ASHLEY RAMIREZ |
Music by |
TINO GHOST |
Sound Mastering by |
BRYAN ANDERTON |
Produced, Edited and Directed by |
JAVIER C. RIVERA |
INFORMATION
STORY----// by Javier C. Rivera |
Javier's first goal with this story was to get his feelings on paper. The story then took on another life. He explains: "Besides therapy, the only other thing that helped get me out of my depression was the thought that maybe this story could help others. And that brought on the idea of getting published...which then of course brought on the idea of a possible series. Maybe the struggles I've had in my life can be put to good use." |
ILLUSTRATIONS----// by Hui Min Liu |
After Javier finished writing the story, he began to draw illustrations. Frustrated by his inability to draw anything that wasn't dark and depressing, he turned to Craig's List. The ad he posted gathered nearly 100 responses. After searching through each and every one, he found only one artist whose work stood out among all the amazing artists -- Hui Min Liu. "I was in silent awe when I first saw the sketches she created for Sometimes I'm Sad. I couldn't talk, I couldn't think, I couldn't even sit. She has an amazing way of creating something so unique and beautiful. She took the little light from my mind and sparked a ten-story flame. When she asked for feedback, there really wasn't much I had to suggest because she had it right the first time. My biggest hope that this book succeeds is that I can work with Hui Min again on more projects." |
MUSIC----// by Tino Ghost |
Javier explains how the music for the film happened by accident: "I was on the phone with a friend and playing around on the guitar. I wasn't really trying to create anything but I knew something was working when I stopped paying attention to the conversation. Not long after, I got off the phone and recorded a demo of what would later become Triste." |
| DEMO FILM----// by Gasoline Productions |
To prepare for the actual film, Gasoline Productions produced a demo using sketches by Hui Min Liu, a rough draft reading by Ashley Ramirez, and music by Tino Ghost. Director Javier C. Rivera states: "It helped to create a sample -- not just to get an idea of how the end product would look but also to help understand the pacing." The final illustrations were hand-delivered by Hui Min in August 2008 and later digitally scanned for the final film. In June 2008, Ashley Ramirez recorded final versions for both English and Spanish readings with assistance by Translator, Yelba Nibya Rivera. To view demo, click the link below: |