"The Torch" – A Surreal Story of Fear, Hope, and Creative Freedom
Client: Pacific Legal Foundation
Project Overview
Pacific Legal Foundation approached MattiBurns Studio with a powerful concept: create an animated short that explores the relationship between fear and freedom, light and darkness. The goal was to produce a compelling narrative that would speak directly to creatives and dreamers whose voices are often silenced by fear, showing them that they are not alone.
Our Approach
We were entrusted to bring this vision to life through a 6-minute animated short titled "The Torch." The surreal narrative follows a lost girl navigating a haunting dreamland, where she must confront three terrifying nightmares—each symbolizing a real-world trauma she has experienced. Just as her strength begins to falter, a glowing knight appears, becoming her protector and guide. Together, they face the darkness, revealing that healing and courage are not solitary pursuits.
Our studio led the project from start to finish:
Team Building & Direction: Assembled and directed a team of skilled animators to adapt the script for the screen.
Character Design & Rigging: Developed emotionally expressive characters that visually communicated the story's depth and emotion.
Background Illustration: Crafted otherworldly dreamscapes that balanced beauty and menace.
Voice & Sound: Oversaw casting, recording, and engineering of voice-overs and sound design to support emotional pacing and immersion.
Animation: Produced fluid, symbolic animation that heightened the emotional and visual storytelling.
The Result
"The Torch" is a stunning visual allegory that captures the battle between fear and freedom. Designed to resonate with the creative community, the animation carries a message of hope, protection, and artistic resilience.
Watch the full film here: Watch "The Torch"
Impact
The animated short has become a powerful storytelling tool for Pacific Legal Foundation, shared across platforms to raise awareness among artists and creatives about the organization's advocacy for freedom of expression. By using allegory and animation, PLF connects with an audience that often feels overlooked or unheard. "The Torch" not only champions the idea of standing against fear—it becomes a rallying cry for those seeking to reclaim their creative voice.
Takeaways
Creative Allegory: Animation can distill complex emotions and societal issues into a format that speaks directly to the heart.
Full-Service Production: From concept development to final delivery, our studio handled every detail to bring the client’s vision to life.
Emotional Resonance: Visual storytelling, when paired with powerful themes, can leave a lasting impact on target audiences.
Have a story that needs to shine a light in dark places? Contact MattiBurns Studio to bring your vision to life through emotionally rich, visually striking animation.
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