The Carp has Leaped Through the Dragon's Gate

Hi!

 

My name is Ryan Adkins, an Atlanta, GA-based artist, animator, author, and founder and CEO of iLLUSiONÀGE Productions. My published works include Dream Catcher, The Lost Art, and The Mirage Magician. Inspired by my work with kids, I bring a childlike wonder and sense of magical realism to my stories, interweaving the fantastical into everyday life and inspiring audiences to reimagine reality. I have received an MFA in Animation from the Savannah College of Art and Design, a BS in Literature, Media and Communications from Georgia Tech, and am an award-winning filmmaker. (Check out my last project, DREAM CATCHER: click here )

 

So now that you know who I am, I would like to share why I'm here with you. I am here to garner support in funding my latest animated short film project inspired by an ancient Chinese proverb that has encouraged me during these difficult times. According to legend, if a koi fish climbed the falls at a point called Dragon Gate on the Yellow River, it would be transformed into a dragon. The story follows Kaida, a little koi with the heart of a dragon. He goes to the flow of his own current and aspires of one day passing through the Dragon’s Gate. With a bit of perseverance, perhaps his dream will come true one day. The campaign funds will support the team of artists on the project, film festival entry registrations, process book creation, and other production costs.

 

So, if you’re still with me at this point, I would now like to share with you why I’m choosing to tell this story at this time. The last few years have been tough for all of us, and I’m sure it may have seemed difficult, even impossible, to pursue and accomplish some of the goals we set toward becoming the people we envisioned ourselves to be. Along the way, some of us may have even completely lost sight of who we sought to become. But here’s the thing: you must already BE the dragon before you BECOME the dragon. The journey starts within. One of the primary reasons the koi fish is symbolic in Japanese and Chinese culture is because it is known for swimming upstream no matter what the conditions are. These fish are even said to swim up waterfalls. This is viewed as an absolute show of resilience, power, and perseverance because they will continue to swim upstream as if on a mission. They cannot be distracted or deterred by anything. In life, we will have trouble. We will be faced with adversity but let us not be thrown off our course as we persevere upstream. Let us overcome. Let us never forget the dragon that lies within us all. “The Carp has Leaped Through the Dragon’s Gate” (Liyu Tiao Long Men, 鲤鱼跳龙门).

 

Thank you for taking the time to consider my campaign and helping me bring this story to reality! Follow me on Instagram @illusionage_productions for film updates and Work In Progress content!

 

WIP: