Testimony | CalArts Film 2024

[@HannahBessette]

This is so sweet! I imagine for a period of his life, Emil didn’t want to accept the concept of Charlie because he hadn’t grasped the true source of his coping mechanism or just didn’t want to think about it. After his graduation - having learned about psychology - he accepted where he came from and Charlie’s significance. Or Charlie is real, which would be amazing because he’s so cute

[@Yeewen88]

I think he'd real in that world espeicially considering later part though sister missed when he collected letter

[@fallensway855]

I so hope Charlie is real! I took it as Charlie would sneak out, read the letters and put them back because to take them is to put himself in danger, potentially. You’d have to imagine he would have to take many precautions after living that long not to broadcast his whereabouts.

[@anotherdayanotherslay8574]

I WISH I SAW THEM MEET

[@andressavitoriapatzibautis1949]

ME TOO HELP😭😭😭😭

[@ruipdpm5045]

MEEEEEEEEEE TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO🥲

[@Dustinlove102]

SAME 😭😭😭😭

[@Meimoons]

*Starts looking for fanfics on Ao3*

[@mimeslife]

ME TOO OMG😭

[@placibusofpanacea]

I love how the sister tried so hard over the years to understand and help Emil and never discredited or rebuked him. When he believed, she helped him adapt and grow; when he doubted, she told him it was okay; and when he showed belief again, she only asked, "Are you sure?" in a way that showed she still trusted the young man she watched grow up.

[@yuwerssunflower4187]

I don't know why but this made me sob so hard. I grew up with comfort characters that I made into imaginary friends. They basically did the emotional parenting throughout my childhood and taught me who I wanted to be and what I wanted to fight for. Though I'm reaching end of high school now, I still wish that I could meet those people that raised me in a very tangible way

[@biancajoffre2670]

I fully understand this comment. My imaginary friends, who have been like family to me since childhood, are still with me, a university student. This time, they are and will be characters for my books since I plan to be an author someday and share their stories.

[@yuwerssunflower4187]

@@biancajoffre2670 I wish you all the best

[@freezyyyy-]

@@biancajoffre2670 that’s amazing!❤ i wish u will be a successfull writer! Well i also used to think and tried to talk with my imaginary frnds 😭✨i miss my childhood

[@lilhedgehog8576]

I relate to this in every single way. This is literally word for words something I would say. It’s nice to relate to someone. I’m glad they brought you comfort, and I’m sure continue to do so to this day.

[@Hannah-t5z]

I’ve always considered it an odd thing that children have imaginary friends who taught them right from wrong even though they wouldn’t have known it themselves. I was born with a twin and when we were at that age we were practically joined at the hip. So while people had cartoon characters, ghosts, vampires and the like, I had a double with as many thoughts and feelings as I did. Personally, I think imaginary friends are the products of extreme loneliness.

[@scy760]

A touching story depicting an orphan's childhood with his guardian angel.

[@집에보내줘-d9j]

5:05, the scene where Sinclair lowers his head again and returns to his childhood hairstyle was really sad.Through his inability to forget Charlie, it’s clear that Sinclair didn’t grow by forgetting him but rather grew by holding onto him. This made it even more moving. Thank you so much for providing the Korean subtitles!

[@KeemosAnimatedBible]

I make animations and I gotta say......from one Animator to the next....Your work is stunning....the visuals are breathtaking...I could only imagine the hours, days, months went into this

[@OilRig-1]

I didnt expect charlie to be physically present. and i still dont see it that way. I see charlie as a child’s way of comforting themselves when they are alone, providing reason for the good and bad in their life, for the point of stability. I saw someone else say too, charlie biting him when he’s taller shows he would be ready and prepared for the world, instead of being fragile and young. I also believe additionally that the rituals he does like closing curtains or going into his coffin also added stability to his life as someone without anyone. Feel free to interpret charlie as a real being, but to me it definitely seems as if charlie was a way of coping with his life.

[@Zephyrs]

I don’t know if this was the intention, but I saw Emil’s statement that Charley would turn him when he was tall enough kind of like him thinking when he was grown up he won’t be as fragile. Like he had to believe that once he was big enough he would be immortal and nothing could hurt him. (Edit for spelling)

[@grrawesomenessc.8399]

This is really beautiful. The story is simple, yet effective. I also really appreciate the design for Charlie, it's nice to see an atypical vampire design. One that perhaps implies Charlie was turned as a child? Well animated, lovely colours, and the facial expressions are well done as well!

[@lilstudentstudio]

Words can't describe how incredible this film is. The fact I was invested with these characters and their lives after only 7 minutes of viewing is just wow. But from the perspective of someone that's an inspiring animator the way you draw humans and colour scenes is so inspiring. I cant wait to study your work and see more of you.

[@cadinzacadenza5458]

Characters named Charlie are always amazing idk why also this is beautiful

[@smartcookie9818]

This is a wonderful, beautiful and breathtaking film. I wonder if they will be together again, and will Charlie turn Emil into a vampire? Charlie would be lonely if he lived alone in that mansion. I hope they will be together.

[@Palkpilk]

No. What? I hate vampires and people that like vampires. There stupid, they are evil. They kill people so that they can keep living. They already died, they should stay dead. Thats the whole thing, they're supposed be dead, but what keeps them alive is their greed to take life from others for them selves. I think its stupid when people bring vampires into a story and want ro pretend like they are not evil. If they dont have to kill people to stay alive (Or turn other people into the undead as well. That gets even more disturbingly evil.) Than they are just not vampires. The animation was smooth and it was well done, but the whole idea that there is a vampire is stupid.

[@LuccaLucanez]

The boy is named Emil Sinclair, as a reference to the main character of "Demian" (1919), a book written by the German author Hermann Hesse.

[@magpie_kingdom]

aaaa i was looking for someone else to notice this too yesssss thank uuuu

[@pinokosthewife]

Touching and sweet. Love how gentle and supportive the nun was too, some would've immediately freaked out over the vampire thing and assumed the worst.

[@hous3776]

Rarely have I been so emotional with short films you did such a great job with the writing and pacing it’s incredible

[@Aydanligon]

Dud, Brah. That ending, my feeble heart has been tickled at it's core. Tears!

[@anshul_008]

Absolutely in love with your film!! The compositions and backgrounds are so well done and the characters have such warmth to them. Just stunning!!❤️

[@snowysnail2018]

BEAUTIFUL ART STYLE BEAUTIFUL COLORS BEAUTIFUL STORY GAHHH I WISH THERE WAS MORE!!!!!

[@lightningterry]

I think my favorite thing about this shorts is the transitions. They’re just so lofty and beautiful plus the music adds so much ❤

[@capitantenn527]

This was beautiful. I didn’t know I would end up crying my eyes out when I clicked on the video, but man, what a story. The animation, the delivery, truly beautiful.

[@gehrigArtist]

This was such a great idea with the vampire jumping over a puddle - never seen that before! What a great opportunity od so many movies!!

[@RWQFSFASXC39524]

THAT ENDING THOUGH?!?!??? THIS IS SO GOOD!!!!😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@MR-kf8xt]

I saw this on the LA animation festival and since then it has a place in my heart

[@AK-do5js]

Sometimes art is beutiful it overwhelms me in an instant, no build up just tears. This was wonderful

[@limbless_cockroach]

this will definitely win awards!!!!! your work is bafflingly amazing

[@lejay7667]

Your film inspires me to come up with original ideas for my own! It's amazing, I love the designs, the animayion, the colors, yhe pacing. Voice acting is also on point! I love it!

[@iiice650]

OMG I LOVE this film!!!!!! it actually make me cry ...Love the idea, the lighting, the music...the whole animation is so beautiful...

[@Dustinlove102]

BRUH, this' insanely cute!!🥺😭😭🧡

[@Drink_waater]

Wonderful film! I loved the way who showed time passing!!!!

[@Nao-kz7ew]

I’m in tears. This is so beautiful, I’m so proud of you emile, and you’re amazing Charlie

[@unheardopinions2028]

this was so freaking good!!! totally didn't expect the ending bc i really thought you were going for the more conventional 'imaginary friends/trauma' story line, but i was so pleasantly surprised! i love your artstyle n the colors are just *chef's kiss*, but what really stood out to me was the sound design. the voice acting, firstly, was amazing, but the music and the ambient sounds really just pulled me in, which imo is rare among these calart films overall im so so so impressed !!! can't wait to see more of your work!!

[@leereyart6524]

This touched me very, very deeply. Thanks a lot! This is wonderful animation!

[@lissshi4298]

OMG! I’m crying!! It is so lovely story and characters design is soooo cool! Ooo and backgrounds!! So, I love it all✨😭

[@overallcorrectly]

This reminds me of a studio gibli film, not only with the art style but with the story

[@rinnn2231]

So relatable ❤

[@measlyfurball37]

Stunning and gorgeous!

[@Pepsi_Cafe67]

yall deserve a gift basket or som cause this made me cry

[@dinopapy]

Это осень прекрасная и трогательная работа, спасибо за то, что показали нам эту историю, я тронута♡

[@Skeletonapproaching]

Aaaggg, my heart This is so beautiful :’0

[@brother-tico4363]

What a beautiful short story!

[@veragettinger1829]

This is incredible

[@flyingteacup8369]

Aww 😭 I love this. You did a wonderful job!

[@thermalnuclearwar]

this is giving me so many emotions

[@adreanamador4745]

I’m definitely going to show this to my class this yr! 💪🏽

[@fallensway855]

I’m the 717th subscriber the 9025th and 26th viewer and the 47th and 48th commenter, day 3. A little bookmark in the progression of this blowing up because it is so sweet and wholesome. . . . . . if not slightly unrealistic that they received not a single side eye from the other students when the Sister called out “do you still think the vampire is real?” because imma side eye your whole dang convo if I hear that lol especially if you had no context like them, I had a giggle at that to then be whomped straight back into all the feels. 10⭐️ out of 10 I cannot wait to see how far you all take this, congrats to all involved you made an amazing film thank you all.

[@fallensway855]

1,500 and something’s like lol not sure exactly.

[@fallensway855]

This was beautiful, so sweet and poignant.

[@harshchauhan5514]

This was so charming ! I really love it!

[@JinxFan2003]

This was so touching! Loved every minute of it! ❤❤

[@CherryNah]

Is so beautiful. Everything.

[@u3eli]

This was so touching your storytelling is incredible :,)

[@MissedSage]

I'm glad I got to watch this. This is beautiful.

[@mejirobird2175]

I am sobbing.

[@spinox_0191]

This is insanely good

[@johanadormeo4170]

YOU NEED MORE VIEWS THIS IS SO HEARTWARMING :DDDDDDD

[@Nocturnal_Mee]

She actually brought the letters 😢❤

[@JackGeraghty-k7d]

Truely a work of art

[@uWu-fp2lc]

I'M SOBBING RIGHT NOW HELPPPPP

[@fumiko9039]

Es tan hermoso y me conmovió se tantas maneras, muchas gracias por esto. Muchas gracias por realizar y contar está idea, este concepto. Es maravilloso❤

[@melotea7262]

this is sincerely touching, it's beautiful

[@jackychan7511]

Oh my god this is amazing ❤ as a fellow animation student u inspire me to work even harder!

[@esthervillegas6601]

THIS IS AMAZING

[@Lounalyne]

I really really love it 😌😌

[@Saurabh-p5y4i]

great animation

[@Meimoons]

This was so beautiful! ❤

[@ijlayugan4149]

That was beautiful

[@maxdon2001]

This is really well done!

[@hellolithy]

Oh gosh, this is amazing!

[@husanbozorov142]

😢It's lovely❤

[@Merrsharr]

Charlie accidentally hurt Emile and thought he had to disappear for Emile's safety.

[@Ganegg-f6u]

Amazing man dud

[@peopleperson4444]

We need a part two. Who else? | V

[@pigeonenthusiast]

wow this is fantastic

[@Akalim]

IM WEEPING THIS IS SO CUTE

[@Gingerale434]

Amazing ❤❤❤❤❤

[@latsypie]

I love this animation so much asdyufgioirhj (Also the Amon reference arghgf7iugwd) ❤️

[@Splat654]

This is gorgeous

[@beeleyehudi2662]

AHHHH So beautiful ❤❤

[@Rabid_mushrooms]

It's SO FRICKEN WDNJWCJNOJ I love it

[@alvawall1891]

This was so great😍

[@Kurocathere]

Love it

[@corphish69]

Beautiful.....

[@dianeshearer4885]

this made me cry

[@addyoats4935]

Is his name a reference to the book Demian?

[@freezyyyy-]

I also miss my childhood ❤😭😭✨✨

[@marzbarz__]

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH

[@iamfatiiz]

Absolutely great

[@Zachmaticz]

Do I smell a Demian reference?

[@Nobody.thatyouknow]

It will get big

[@hadsyjiama9010]

it's beautiful but like, can someone explain what was the point?

[@anirosak]

crying rn

[@luisavictoriarosasrocha685]

Esto es demaciado bonito pero, no termine de entenderlo. ¿Por qué Charlie lo abandonó?, sé que no fue porque no lo quisiera pero no sé el por qué

[@deamyouofficial]

Это просто шедевр!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@FrancoSebastianSuarez]

It's precious

[@aylrex7329]

Ok tell me the truth who is cutting onions here?🥲

[@DiosimarGomez]

Samigosss es un cortometraje cinematográfico de que???

[@emmanuelowusu7446]

Love

[@ibelieveinyourgalaxy07]

Sad how I can see many parts of me to this little kid. It's somewhat sad to find familiarity and understand him easily

[@espiritukon4294]

ToT thank you

[@newstyper]

i love this so much esp the bg and everything