In a futuristic world where creativity is fading, a young artist escapes into a breathtaking journey through imagination and self-discovery. As she transforms pain into art, her creations spark a chain reaction that inspires the next generation to dream again.
Project Links
Review by Julie C. Sheppard:
The animated short Just Like Magic is true to its title. It is a sparkling, magical homage to a young artist whose imagination shines above the pain, monotony and practicality of everyday life in a gloomy, crowded city where a sign bluntly states: Dreams Don’t Pay Rent.
The visuals are mesmerizing. The glowing eyes of the central character radiate a full gamut of emotions, from despondency with flowing crystal tears after feeling rejected by surroundings where art is unvalued, to extreme joy and wonder as imagination allows for soaring above the city and waving a glowing paint brush that generates dreamlike animals and streams of light. The soundtrack also follows along gracefully, moving from gentle, ethereal guitar and vocals to rousing orchestrals, jazzy saxophone and deep percussion.
Pain is glaringly apparent after the central figure is exposed to domestic strife, and distain by others. Fortunately, all is not lost – – the artist is not alone. Another young creator also crafts beauty despite being immersed in the same dark, melancholy world. The message is clear — it is the magic of expression that allows artists to use their imagination to see beyond misery and the mundane and develop inspiring works.
