Synopsis Stan & Sven’ tells the story of two best friends, Stan a robot and Sven a fun loving alien. Sven is on a mission to cheer up his buddy Stan who has been walking around with a frown for far too long. Sven soon realises that this is going to be harder than first thought.
Director Biography - Amber Stacey
Amber is a stop motion animator, director, puppet fabricator and voice over artist based in Perth, Western Australia with a key focus in storytelling and exploring unique methods throughout her animation.
After spending most of her life studying, performing, directing and choreographing for theatre, she decided to explore other creative avenues with the hope of one day being able to explore her love for animation and puppets.
Since graduating with her BA in Creative Advertising, Graphic Design & Digital Design from Curtin University, she has spent the last decade working as a Senior Graphic Designer, Multimedia Artist and Creative Producer across live events, in-house and ad agencies. Over the past 4 years she has been Lecturing in Digital Media & Design.
She is currently finishing her Masters in Animation, Game Design and Interactivity at RMIT University and is excited to be exploring her love of storytelling, through combining her passion and skills from theatre and interactive or animated mediums.
In 2021, she received the 'John Bird Award for Outstanding Achievement' for her work within the Masters program, along with becoming a Dean's List Award Winner for the School of Design. Amber also enjoys the art of needle felting, where she has enjoyed combining her 3D art skills with craft in order to create memorable characters and hand made puppets for animation through a new little small business 'Pickle and Husk' in partnership with author Denise Stacey (www.pickleandhusk.com).
Amber continues to perform in her spare time, loves film scores, all things animation/film, playing the piano, games and adventuring out into the wilderness with camera in hand.
Our Review
Some animation movies caters to younger crowd and some are great to both kids and adults. STAN & SWEN is definitely a go-to movie for everyone. This short film by Amber Stacey offers a world of bright colors, cool designs, poetic narration and a story that is super warm, cozy and entertaining. The visuals are also eye-popping and cool. The background art work and the puppet blends well. This animation film takes audiences to world that can only be imagined, where a Robot has a friend who is an Alien. But at the end of the day, all it matters is to have a true friend who wants to see you smile.
Director Statement
‘Stan & Sven’ combines stop motion animation with children’s literature, to positively help young children understand the complex dynamics of life, in this case depression.
The aim is to translate the original children’s story by Denise Stacey, into a short animation through a playful exploration of physical and tactile environments with
2D illustration through practice-based methodology and investigating how these opposing methods can be combined to both educate and provide a rich opportunity to explore storytelling further.
The hybrid approach to this animation can assist in positively impacting the cognitive development in children, allowing us to teach them important life skills and topics such as empathy, by bringing the pages from a storybook to life through the use of handmade puppets and objects to create an aesthetic similar to that of a children’s book.
Credits
Amber Stacey Director
Denise Stacey Writer
Yee Hui Wong Animators
Amber Stacey Animators
Lucca Torres Music & Sound
Amber Stacey Narrator
Yee Hui Wong Compositing
Amber Stacey Video Editing
Amber Stacey Set Design & Puppet Fabrication
Denise Stacey Props
Yee Hui Wong Props
Amber Stacey Props
Specifications
Project Type: Animation, Experimental, Student, Short
Runtime: 2 minutes 57 seconds
Completion Date: November 23, 2022
Production Budget: 300 AUD
Country of Origin: Australia
Country of Filming: Australia
Language: English
Shooting Format: Canon 5D MKIV
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Film Color: Color
First-time Filmmaker: Yes
Student Project: Yes - RMIT University
