'If Anything Happens I Love You': how McCormack and Michael Govier pulled art out of tragedy

Directors writers Will mccormack e Michael GovierSimply illustrated 2D animated short film If something happens, I love you he has received much praise for the subtle way he handles a complex and tragic subject. The short, which debuted on Netflix in November, centers on the emotional journey of two grief-stricken parents trying to cope with life after losing their baby in a school shooting.

The short was produced by Govier, Maryann Garger, Gary Gilbert and Gerald Chamales and the director was produced by Laura Dern. Gilbert Films financed the short and produced it alongside Oh Good Productions. We had a short interview with McCormack and Govier about their powerful short film.

Your short film takes a very minimalist approach to exploring a tragic topic that has plagued our country in recent years. Can you tell us how this project was born?

Michael came up with the idea of ​​telling a story through the shadows. That the shadows represent the feelings that humans cannot achieve in times of great agony. We wanted to illustrate and explore pain. The film, with its minimal style and slimness, is designed to look and feel like a pain: soft grays filtering into the white spaces. The negative space in the film is equally important. It has a feeling of space that can be seen in Japanese calligraphy. What is not framed is just as important as what is framed.

How long did it take to finish the short, how many people worked on it and what animation tools did you use?

We started pre-production in early 2018 and finished in February 2020. We animated from April to December 2019. About 28 people worked on the film, but we only had three animators, all women: Youngran Nho (lead), Haein Michelle Heo and Julia Gomes Rodrigues. We used TVPaint and it was edited on Adobe Premiere.

What was your baseball budget?

When you build a film on a budget, you have to be creative. In our case, we couldn't afford to revive the sections multiple times, so we spent a year on the script to be specific about what we wanted to communicate. We had to make sure everything we used was on screen. We couldn't waste a frame.

Do you think it is easier to deal with darker and more serious topics in animation than in live action?

Animation can bring you closer to the characters. It can drag you deeper into the story more than the live action could, which could pull you away due to the seriousness of the material. Animation seemed like the right door for this film.

What do you hope audiences take away from your short film?

In times of great pain and loss, the most powerful tool we have is our presence, that we can be there for each other. We unite and grieve together, and that union can lead to growth, rebuilding and healing. If something happens, I love you it was created for those lost and those left behind.

What do you like about working with short format animation?

We love the challenge of short-form animation in storytelling. This format requires such specificity and slenderness in style and structure. The thrift of the medium is truly captivating and exciting.

Can you address the importance of diversity and representation in animation?

Is critical. Our animators, composers and lead producers are all women. This is a wonderful time in animation where vital stories are told and we are proud to be part of that movement.

Do you think there has been real progress in the field, especially in 2020, or was it simpler?

Our company values ​​and promotes diversity and representation and will continue to do so with every film we make.

What was the biggest lesson you learned working on this powerful short?

Connecting with others about their pain is powerful and essential to the human experience. Also, if you have a good story to tell, tell it! The only person who stops you is you. Tell your story! The world needs more voices.

At the moment you can watch If something happens, I love youon Netflix.