Rawr - Short Animated Film
A young dinosaur enthusiast is thrilled to discover her favourite show has announced a feature film to be released in April! But when the day comes for her to see the film, Clíodhna learns that the UK has entered lockdown. How will Clíodhna overcome this huge disappointment? RAWR is a short film written and directed by Sorcha McGlinchey, executive producer Joel Simon and the score was composed by Calum McCormick. RAWR was funded by BBC NI and NI screen. Website https://www.sorchacartoons.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sorchacartoons Facebook https://m.facebook.com/pg/SorchaCartoons Twitter @sorchacartoons
Director Statement
Sorcha McGlinchey
While watching this film, I want the audience to experience lock down restrictions the way a child would. I believe there is a child in all of us, a childself that has went through an emotional rollercoaster during lockdown. We all experienced a collective trauma, and I wanted to write a story to reflect how we all felt. I've also wanted to write about a heroic mum, I thought this was a perfect story to show a strong caring mum character. I wanted to applaude parents working remotely, having to juggle being an employee, a parent, a teacher and a friend.
I think, even though we were all apart, we connected to those in our households in a far more dynamic and meaningful way. We all needed someone to lean on during this time, and for a lot of us, it was those we lived with that carried us through the most. So while we were all disapointed, frustrated, sad and lonely, some of us still reached out, and helped others through it. There is something very optimistic and kind about the human spirit, even during times of uncertainy. I think it's just wonderful.
If you reached out to just one person and helped them feel better during this crisis, this film is dedicated to you. I continue to hope RAWR moves audiences around the globe.
From it's beginning, RAWR was a labour of love. My first directed film was produced in lock down. However, I couldn't have asked for a better crew, who made the best of a poor situaiton. Working another animation job full time 9-5 every week day, and spending my evenings and weekends working on the film, with a small production budget along with a limited production schedule of 6 weeks, RAWR very quickly grew a life of it's own, and took over mine. Because of this, I am so thankful for my crew, who worked tirelessly with me to complete the film. So although I directed it, Rawr was truly brought to life by a very talented team, each of whom brought a little piece of themselves to the project. I feel humbled having worked alongside such a talented crew of friends, but I am also so incredibly proud of what we achieved together.
While I was writing the first draft script for RAWR, I had made it a habit to write in my spare time, late into the night after my full-time job. Looking back, it was probably to distract me from the concerning news at the time... but when I read over the first draft of RAWR's script, I knew I had to give RAWR the best fighting chance to become a reality. I started hopefully pitching the idea for funding, and I'm thrilled to say that RAWR met it's funding goal very quickly. For a first time director, this was delightful news. We were fortunate to raise the funds for this film through the help of the amazing BBC NI and Northern Ireland Screen who I am so thankful and apprecative to for bringing RAWR to life.
The look of this film inspired by the work of British and Irish children's book illustrators such as Benji Davies, Judith Kerr and Oilver Jeffers to create this film. I could have only dreamed RAWR would be this beautiful and emotional. A lot of the emotion comes from my close friend and wonderful composer for the film Calum McCormick, who wrote a wonderful soundtrack. Myself and Calum discussed very early on what the score to RAWR should be, what the story is I'm trying to tell, and how to pack those emotional beats into such a short film. Calum was as dedicated to the film as me, making sure the music was perfect for the film, and I think he's done an absolutely incredible job.
So, while we the cast and crew had a lot of fun making the film, we know in our bones that it’s time for Rawr to find its audience. I’m sure once they see it they will agree: It’s dinomite.
