Slugfest
Donation protected
Slugfest (formally King of the Jungle) is an action-drama, animated short film. It takes place in a world where your ranking in the animal kingdom is determined by battle. Our main character, a low-ranked slug, is eager to raise his number, but he meets an easy-going fox that holds him back.
Character Designs
Why We Are Making This Film
Everyone working on the film has loved the animation storytelling medium since childhood. While cartoons have traditionally been known as children's entertainment in the U.S., we have seen time and time again that animation can touch the hearts of all ages. We aim to make a film that can connect with children and adults alike.
The slug has a strong motivation to succeed, but his determination is so strong that he ultimately ends up hurting the fox, nearly ruining his relationship with him. Our animated short speaks to many of us, reminding us to be careful not to let our ambitions get in the way of what might really matter.
Additionally, the absence of dialogue in our film allows the story to cross borders and be understood in any language.
Crew
Director
Michael Starr
Michael Starr is a senior student attending his last semester at SDSU. Throughout his academic career, Michael has had an attachment to animated productions, writing and directing for two short animations. Michael draws inspiration through the films of Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli, and Pixar studios. He finds himself drawn to the sounds and sights of the animated films, and is amazed to find himself lost in believable worlds created from scratch that could never truly exist. He was the director of “Grim”, winner of the Jury Award of the Emerging Filmmakers Festival at SDSU in spring 2016, and received the Excellence in Sound award for his film “Lift-Off” in spring 2017. After finishing his academic career, he strives for a career in the animation industry.
Cinematographer, Assistant Director
Trina Pham
Trina Pham is a senior SDSU TFM production student going on her last semester of film school. She always carries a camera with her to capture interesting subjects and moments that happen in her life. Trina finds inspiration from DPs like Christopher Doyle and Istvan Borbas. She finds herself watching foreign films because she’s fascinated by unique points of views from different cultures. She was the cinematographer for “The Door” which won the Jury Award of the Emerging Filmmakers Festival at SDSU in the fall semester of 2015 and received the cinematography award for her film “Cadavers” in the spring semester of 2017 at SDSU. After finishing her academic career, she hopes to move to Los Angeles, CA to continue to learn and expand her cinematography craft.
Animator
Ryan Storm
Ryan Storm is an entirely self taught freelance animator and artist. At a young age he was captured by the magic and illusion of filmmaking which soon evolved into a love for motion graphics and animation. When Ryan was in Elementary School, he was gifted a video camera by his late Grandfather. A blessing for Ryan, but a possible annoyance for his friends, whom he would always nag to be actors in his silly little movies. After starting Middle School Ryan decided to try his hand at animation. He attended classes at RISD to learn Adobe Flash and later went on to teach himself Toon Boom Harmony. By High School his works caught public attention as many of them started being featured on the front page of Newgrounds.com. Even going on to win a monetary first place award for two consecutive years at the sites international competition, Pico Day. Now working with multiple clients such as popular YouTubers, Smosh, LORE, H20 Delirious, Game Grumps, and Pencilmations, as well as doing animation work with Smashbits Studios and The Massachusetts Tax Association. Ryan continues to strive for excellence in his craft. Never faltering, and constantly learning and studying.
Here's the link to Ryan's reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZZ3mp_o7zY
When
We aim to complete the film by December 5, 2017 as that is our class submission date, as well as the deadline for the first festival we plan on entering.
Thank You
Thank you so much for your support. We appreciate anything that can be done to help us and get exposure on our film. We hope to touch souls and connect emotionally with everyone who watches Slugfest.
Character Designs
Why We Are Making This Film
Everyone working on the film has loved the animation storytelling medium since childhood. While cartoons have traditionally been known as children's entertainment in the U.S., we have seen time and time again that animation can touch the hearts of all ages. We aim to make a film that can connect with children and adults alike.
The slug has a strong motivation to succeed, but his determination is so strong that he ultimately ends up hurting the fox, nearly ruining his relationship with him. Our animated short speaks to many of us, reminding us to be careful not to let our ambitions get in the way of what might really matter.
Additionally, the absence of dialogue in our film allows the story to cross borders and be understood in any language.
Crew
DirectorMichael Starr
Michael Starr is a senior student attending his last semester at SDSU. Throughout his academic career, Michael has had an attachment to animated productions, writing and directing for two short animations. Michael draws inspiration through the films of Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli, and Pixar studios. He finds himself drawn to the sounds and sights of the animated films, and is amazed to find himself lost in believable worlds created from scratch that could never truly exist. He was the director of “Grim”, winner of the Jury Award of the Emerging Filmmakers Festival at SDSU in spring 2016, and received the Excellence in Sound award for his film “Lift-Off” in spring 2017. After finishing his academic career, he strives for a career in the animation industry.
Cinematographer, Assistant DirectorTrina Pham
Trina Pham is a senior SDSU TFM production student going on her last semester of film school. She always carries a camera with her to capture interesting subjects and moments that happen in her life. Trina finds inspiration from DPs like Christopher Doyle and Istvan Borbas. She finds herself watching foreign films because she’s fascinated by unique points of views from different cultures. She was the cinematographer for “The Door” which won the Jury Award of the Emerging Filmmakers Festival at SDSU in the fall semester of 2015 and received the cinematography award for her film “Cadavers” in the spring semester of 2017 at SDSU. After finishing her academic career, she hopes to move to Los Angeles, CA to continue to learn and expand her cinematography craft.
AnimatorRyan Storm
Ryan Storm is an entirely self taught freelance animator and artist. At a young age he was captured by the magic and illusion of filmmaking which soon evolved into a love for motion graphics and animation. When Ryan was in Elementary School, he was gifted a video camera by his late Grandfather. A blessing for Ryan, but a possible annoyance for his friends, whom he would always nag to be actors in his silly little movies. After starting Middle School Ryan decided to try his hand at animation. He attended classes at RISD to learn Adobe Flash and later went on to teach himself Toon Boom Harmony. By High School his works caught public attention as many of them started being featured on the front page of Newgrounds.com. Even going on to win a monetary first place award for two consecutive years at the sites international competition, Pico Day. Now working with multiple clients such as popular YouTubers, Smosh, LORE, H20 Delirious, Game Grumps, and Pencilmations, as well as doing animation work with Smashbits Studios and The Massachusetts Tax Association. Ryan continues to strive for excellence in his craft. Never faltering, and constantly learning and studying.
Here's the link to Ryan's reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZZ3mp_o7zY
When
We aim to complete the film by December 5, 2017 as that is our class submission date, as well as the deadline for the first festival we plan on entering.
Thank You
Thank you so much for your support. We appreciate anything that can be done to help us and get exposure on our film. We hope to touch souls and connect emotionally with everyone who watches Slugfest.
Organizer and beneficiary
Trina Pham
Organizer
San Diego, CA
Michael Starr
Beneficiary
