Eddie Alcazar is the under-the-radar, up-and-coming visionary filmmaker who’s collaborated with everybody from Steven Soderbergh to Darren Aronofsky and The Weeknd. Soderbergh executive-produced Alcazar’s 2018 sci-fi debut “Excellent” earlier than teaming up with the filmmaker once more for his 2023 black-and-white Sundance premiere “Divinity,” which IndieWire deemed one in all that 12 months’s “best-looking motion pictures.”
Aronofsky, in the meantime, executive-produced Alcazar’s brief movie “The Vandal,” launched by New Yorker Studios in 2021. And filmmaker Alcazar, who additionally works as a author and recreation developer, additionally wrote and directed The Weeknd’s stop-motion music video “Pink Terror” earlier this 12 months.
However Alcazar’s subsequent mission is “Bullet Time,” a hand-drawn TV pilot, fours years within the making, that he created and directed that tributes the Golden Age of ’90s animation (suppose “The Ren & Stimpy Present,” which instantly involves thoughts if you see the surreal trailer beneath). Alcazar hopes the DIY, tactile method to the storytelling shall be an antidote to AI-driven instances. Danny Elfman additionally composed the music.
IndieWire debuts a primary take a look at the mission earlier than it heads to the Fantasia style movie competition this summer time. Watch beneath.
Right here’s a synopsis: “In a surreal world fueled by retro gaming nostalgia and Saturday morning cartoon mayhem, Bullet Time follows Bullet — an emotionally unstable bull terrier — as he battles his approach by means of a weird digital gaming universe. Fueled by frenetic motion, coronary heart, and absurd humor, ‘Bullet Time’ delivers a visually explosive experience that blends ’90s cartoon weirdness with cutting-edge animation and a pulse-pounding unique rating.” Alcazar produces the mission with Javier Lovato. Bob Jaques (“Ren and Stimpy,” “SpongeBob SquarePants”) serves as animation director, whereas voice actors embody Eric Bauza, Luis Bordonada, David Firth, and Uly.
“Blissful to lastly share a mission that holds numerous that means to me,” Alcazar mentioned in a press release. “4 years in the past, this movie was began, and on the similar time, I misplaced my canine Bullet, who I nonetheless take into consideration on a regular basis. His reminiscence stored me going as I made this animation. This expertise instilled a stronger appreciation to all of the expertise and element that goes into the cartoons all of us grew to like.”
He added, “The ’90s appeared like a golden period of cartoon inspiration, innovation, and love, and I needed to return to that feeling. The staff behind this mission are a mixture of skilled expertise from classics like ‘Ren & Stimpy,’ ‘Pee Wee’s Playhouse’ and ‘Large Journey,’ and ‘Gumby’ to call a couple of. Plus, a mixture of recent new artists who have been additionally impressed by the homes they constructed. Ending this all fully hand drawn animation TV pilot as we flip in direction of the AI age feels a bit bitter candy. Instances do change however I hope the appreciation of arduous work and fervour doesn’t and that we are going to all the time discover worth in creation from abilities and expertise. With out it we’re misplaced. … With out it issues will lose all that means.”
The total Fantasia Competition lineup shall be introduced quickly, with the occasion working July 17 to August 3. However we are able to affirm “Bullet Time” shall be featured. Watch the trailer beneath.