Matilda Irving De Andres earned this year’s Mixed Media Award with Eventually, Empathy, a gorgeous blend of performance and handcrafted stop motion inspired by David Rutherford’s poem. In our conversation, she shared what drew her to this piece and how this detailed, tactile style allowed the story to truly come alive.
Where did your passion for film begin?
I’d like to say from the stop-motion films I’d make as a kid. But, honestly, I’m still looking for it.
This short film delivers a beautiful performance of David Rutherford’s poem ‘Eventually, Empathy’. What was it that drew you to this piece of writing and inspired you to make this short film to accompany it?
A mix of sentimental value, the fear of an upcoming transitional space, the need to fulfil an assignment, and a want to get back into animating. I was given the poem before I left sixth form. And so it felt kind of relevant again before I left university. I think I’d always had it in my mind that I wanted to adapt it in some way.
What compelled you to use this style of mixed media, stop-motion animation for your film, and what materials did you use to create it?
I’ve always been involved in animation, from stop-motion Lego to a project I made for my A-Levels. So I wanted to revisit animating again. This style of mixed-media animation also allowed me to run a project myself without the fear of needing to create a large production with crew and cast. I can’t produce my own projects, so it was easy for me to work on it wherever and whenever possible.
In terms of materials, literally anything I could get my hands on. Old magazines, postcards, footage I shot as a teenager, family photos, videos I’d been sent, etc. I think of it as a ‘second-hand’ film. The only thing I included and went out and shot was the first section (the silhouettes). and that was me asking people if I could film them for 30 seconds.
What were the key themes you were aiming to explore within this piece? And what message would you like viewers to take away with them after watching your film, and hearing the poem?
Character, Connection, Movement, Patchwork. If I’m being literal, I interpret the poem as a way to comfort the loss of security when you enter a transitional space. Like leaving school, or moving somewhere new. I’ve heard a few different responses and interpretations. It’s quite nice that people have different experiences of it. I’d like people to watch it and come away with a personal message and interpretation.
I’m curious to find out how long this project took to develop, from concept to completion. I assume this animation style is time-consuming and requires a lot of work. Did this project test your patience or did you enjoy every minute of the process?
It’s a bit of both. I’m a horrible procrastinator, so I spent the majority of the semester faffing about making a Pinterest board, looking for music, filming things I’d never use and waiting for inspiration to strike. But by then it was a month until the deadline, and I had almost nothing to show for myself. I asked my good friend Cai for help, and we chatted about my ideas until he told me to just go and make something, anything!
The poem was recorded inside Cai’s wardrobe. I found the song randomly on the bus home after we spoke about the project. I spent nights after work sat in my room for hours tracing, cutting, gluing, scanning, editing, reframing and timing things over and over for about 2 weeks straight, until I had the finished product. The whole film is quite literally handmade, it feels a little insane.
Are there any other animators who inspire you?
A main inspiration to me and of this film is the sequence in Me and Earl and The Dying Girl, where Greg presents Rachel with a short film he made for her. I remember watching it years ago and it’s stuck with me. Generally, I have always been a big fan of the products of Aardman, Laika and Studio Ghibli. Also, my lovely friend Max! He’s a wonderful animator and creative. I’m always excited to see what he’s created and the projects he’s working on.
Do you have any advice for other young people who are hoping to create animated films? Specifically, from your perspective as a film student venturing out into the industry and into the festival circuit.
You just have to make it. Use whatever is available to you. Even if the end product is bad, or not what you expected, or you don’t like it, or no one else likes it. It’s better to have something than nothing. I’m always sick of hearing people saying “You don’t need the latest camera, you can film it on your phone!” But yeah, you really can just film it on a phone, or a camcorder, or even a Nintendo DS probably. I’m super grateful that through my university I have access to editing software, because I’m not sure I could stand to edit it all on an app on my phone like I have done in the past.
What changes towards women in Film and TV do you hope to see as you enter the industry? Do you believe your film course has given you equal opportunities to your fellow male students, or is change necessary at a student level too?
I do feel that the women students (especially as directors/producers) get criticised more harshly on terms of character and the male students get away with much worse. Generally, I’d like to see a shift into far more collaborative works, and an industry that welcomes everyone no matter the skill level and rewards people on merit. Even though marginalised people have to work so much harder just to be noticed.
And, finally, what is next for you? Tell us about any upcoming projects, where you hope your passion will take you, and what you’re most looking forward to in the future! We’ll be looking out for your name on the big screen soon, for sure!
Honestly, I’m just glad to be finished up with university and looking forward to exploring my creativity without worrying about grades or rules. I’m currently working on another mixed-media animation! Hopefully to be combined with filmed footage and new styles of animation for me to test out. It’s based on the poem Eurydice by Hilda Doolittle, a retelling of the classic Greek myth from the perspective of Eurydice feeling overlooked in favour of Orpheus’ desires. I’d love to push that into production, build a crew and full on project around it!
