There might be no dialog and the film might only be 4 minutes long, but you will be astound at just how much tension and action can build up in those very 4 minutes. Sebastian’s Voodoo, first released in June of 2008, is a wonderfully crafted animation from Joaquin Baldwin and provides an excellent example of just how CGI has improved in the last decade. But outside of the magical graphics the true selling point of the animation is its story in which a voodoo doll must find the courage to save all of his friends from being pinned to death by the voodoo Priest.
Sebastian’s Voodoo comes to us together with over a hundred honors and awards received at Festivals all over United States – from Miami to Phoenix, to San Diego, Colorado, Las Vegas, Anchorage, to Savannah – and abroad (including an award at the Festival de Cannes on the Short Film Corner Online Competition). All of the awards come with no surprise as the short, created at the UCLA Animation Workshop, brings us the experience filled with exceptional visual quality, superb movements (be sure to pay attention to the way the dolls are breathing), and beautifully composed music by Nick Fevola.
As the animation opens in a dark cellar our attention quickly turns to all the voodoo dolls hanging from the hooks. The voodoo priest already has one of them in his hand and with one swift move kills it by driving a pin right through it’s ‘heart’. The priest than exists the room leaving all the other voodoo dolls scared for their lives, with two already planning their escape. However, as one doll breaks free of its hook and makes it safely onto the table the other one is not as lucky. Soon the voodoo priest returns to the cellar and begins sticking pins into the second doll. Could our stuffed little hero save his friend and all the other dolls from the destructive force of the priest by giving him a taste of his own medicine?
Joaquin Baldwin, originally from Paraguay – now living and working in Los Angeles, is a great young animator with already quite a diverse work behind his belt (and I truly hope there is still more to come). So be sure to download the short and check out his website for other amazing films.
Related Links:
Pixel Nitrate, Joaquin Baldwin’s Official Website
Sebastian’s Voodoo on Facebook
Sebastian’s Voodoo on Vimeo