"Adam" was nominated for a BAFTA Student Film Award in 2017 and has screened at over 100 film festivals worldwide and has won several awards.
Behind the scenes and stills from production:
Here is a storyboard for the beginning tracking sequence of the film. I made this storyboard before I animated "Adam" as an essential guide to get the feeling of the film. The rest of the film was made intuitively, so I decided not to use a storyboard.
The idea came from reading creation myths that share similar thread that man created humanity. The story was then created as a response to the patriarchal storytelling, creating a feminine land of creation, in physical and metaphorical sense.
I wanted the film to be honest. I wanted to convey a feeling of yearning and tenderness that I've personally experienced but have rarely seen in movies these days.
The film was shot in the basement at the Rhode Island School of Design. It took 3 months to plan and 4 months to animate. In order to keep the clay from being too soft I often stored a few sculptures in the refrigerator. So moments before the full girl figurine was created she was placed right next to some left overs and a carton of milk.
'Evelyn is currently working at Aardman Animations in Bristol, UK on their new feature, Early Man.'
INTERVIEW DECEMBER 2016 from www.wearemovingstories.com
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Most audiences aren’t used to this type of claymation. It’s nothing like Wallace and Grommit; it’s neither a children’s story nor does it have a distinct character. Instead, it’s poetic narrative depicting love and emotional sincerity. It uses the malleable nature of clay to emphasize the main idea, creation. “Adam” also defies the perception that animation is a children’s medium. The film could easily be rated “R” for “MATURE” audiences only.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
In my high school years, I was apart of a ballet. I think that experience has lead me to think intuitively about movement in my work. I feel I know a sense of space and understand body form. During my research, and from what I’ve already surmised about many religions is that historically creation stories have weighted heavily on the idea that a man created earth. In response to this idea, I wanted to emphasis the female figure in my own land of creation. I decided to make Adam a woman in my animation instead of a man.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The sound I mixed for Adam went through numerous changes. Initially, I wanted someone to compose a classical soundtrack for it, but the sound of piano juxtaposed with my image flattened my meaning. Honestly, figuring out the sound was the most difficult part. Eventually, I landed on recording sounds that felt earthy and warm to me. Using that as my guide made it a much easier task. In fact, I recorded rain sticks, which are popular decorative household items in New Mexico, where I grew up.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
So far, I think Adam has done fairly well. I’m proud the film has gotten into some of the largest animation festivals: New York, Sao Paolo, Brazil, “Animation Block Party” and “ANIMA MUNDI”.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I believed that it would do well, but I didn’t anticipate that it would lead me to international opportunities. I was offered a free stop-motion workshop in Valencia, Spain after I graduated, for example.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Hopefully it will get more public recognition, and I’ll be seen as an upcoming animator/filmmaker in the industry. Also, I am looking for a job, so shout out to all employers!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
This was a one woman show. I am director, producer, animator, and sound artist.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Hopefully, a positive one, right? If anything, I hope it gives viewers a nugget of beauty. The aesthetics of the film were an important element - all the bodies were created by an eternal mental rhythm.
Would you like to add anything else?
I read a quote by Stanley Kubrick, "A film is - or should be - more like music than like fiction. It should be a progression of moods and feelings. The theme, what's behind the emotion, the meaning, all that comes later”. This quote really guided my progression. It seemed like a wonderful way to think of structure and timing. The meaning, yes, came later.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am freelancing a music video for a band called “Stolen Jars”.
