DEADLINE:How did this short come about?
And he was launched and flew for two kilometers and landed unharmed and naked except for one boot.
We were captivated by this story, and we thought it would make a very interesting animated film.
The Flying SailorThe Animation Showcase/Courtesy Everett Collection
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DEADLINE:Is there a record of his experience in the explosion?
AMANDA FORBIS: He wrote a single page testimony of his experience, so theres not a lot.
And then all of a sudden, he launched.
And he asked, Where are we?
And she said, I dont know.
And then somebody got him a pair of pants and a McIntosh and he picked himself up.
DEADLINE: The beginning starts out very comedic and cartoonish in 3D before changing from the explosion.
Can you talk a bit about blending styles of animation?
We also liked it because it so sets the beginning apart from the later body of the film.
Its to suggest that we all walk around not imagining that ill fortune is going to befall us.
We also used a combination of 2D and 3D.
The big smoke cloud and the debris and were all 3D and sailor was 2D.
FORBIS:We hoped that the viewer would understand that we are watching a much slowed down experience.
So, we love the idea of flailing becoming something kind of beautiful.
This strange transformation of a disaster to a thing of beauty along with the music.
It suggests this kind of melancholy of letting go of life in a way.
