StoryCorps' first animation special will feature stories told by everyday people, brought to life by Rauch Brothers Animation. Read more
StoryCorps' first animation special will feature stories told by everyday people, brought to life by Rauch Brothers Animation.
About this project
StoryCorps
About two years ago, StoryCorps, the national oral history project, began animating some of the favorite stories collected from our interview participants over the years. Airing on the PBS series POV, these animations bring a whole new dimension to the audio stories that air weekly on NPR’s Morning Edition and can be heard on storycorps.org.
We’re now working on our first long-form animated special, which PBS has agreed to run in the fall of 2013. But - we need your help to close the gap on production funds so that we can finish the project and make it happen!
We’re asking you to back our first long-form animation special and then share this link with your friends and family. With your support, StoryCorps Animated Shorts can reach new audiences!
StoryCorps is a national, independent nonprofit
organization, and your donation is 100% tax deductible.
The Animation Special
Our first half-hour special will feature six animated shorts woven together as a narrative to convey the life cycle arc: childhood, personal identity, work, friendship, falling in love, and reflecting on life. Each of these shorts will be released individually on our website and YouTube page as they are created, before appearing in StoryCorps' Animation Special.
The StoryCorps participants and their stories that were chosen for the Animation Special address some of life’s most challenging questions (from StoryCorps’ Great Questions List): How did you feel when I was born? Who was the most important person in your life? How do you want to be remembered?
As with all StoryCorps Animated Shorts, the half-hour special will be animated and produced with Mike and Tim Rauch of Rauch Brothers Animation. In addition to the pilot series of StoryCorps Animated Shorts, the Rauch Brothers' recent work includes directing and animating for Sesame Workshop’s Electric Company. Oscar nominee (Doctor DeSoto, 1984) and industry veteran Michael Sporn calls the Rauch Brothers “an animation duo to watch.”
The beautiful, detailed animation backgrounds and landscapes are created by renowned painter and background artist Bill Wray, best known for his iconic painting style on the Ren & Stimpy Show. Our character designer and storyboard artist, Stephen DeStefano, has worked on Futurama and the Ren & Stimpy Show, and published with Fantagraphics Books.
Before the artists begin their sketches, they work closely with the featured participants to gain a richer understanding of their story. They talk with them at length, and even visit them in their homes to view family photos and take pictures of details they may want to include in the animation. This attention to detail adds contextual elements and depth to StoryCorps Animated Shorts that cannot be communicated in audio recordings alone.
Check out some of our favorite animations for a better idea of what the Animation Special will look like:
John and Joe | John Vigiano Sr. is a retired New York City firefighter whose two sons followed him into service—John Jr. was a firefighter, too, and Joe was a police detective. On September 11, 2001, both Vigiano brothers responded to the call from the World Trade Center, and both were killed while saving others. Here, John Sr. remembers his sons and reflects on coping with his tremendous loss.
Miss Devine |Cousins James Ransom and Cherie Johnson recall their fearsome Sunday school teacher, Miss Lizzie Devine, the only woman who had more power than their grandmother. Set in the small Florida town of the cousins' memories, this animation resounds with the joy of sharing stories with family.
No More Questions! | Kay Wang was a strong-willed grandmother who was reluctantly taken to a StoryCorps booth by her son and granddaughter. Though Kay resisted, she still had stories to tell—from disobeying her mother and rebuffing suitors while growing up in China to late-life adventures as a detective for Bloomingdale’s department store. Kay passed away just weeks after that interview, and her son and granddaughter returned to StoryCorps to remember her gentler side, which she kept to herself.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
Rewards
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Pledge $5 or more
110 backers
StoryCorps’ heartfelt gratitude!
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $15 or more
64 backers
Desktop Wallpaper download, featuring artwork from StoryCorps Animated Shorts (PC and MAC compatible), plus recognition on our website, www.storycorps.org.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $30 or more
361 backers
A copy of the award-winning StoryCorps: Animated Shorts DVD.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $40 or more
17 backers
Sneak peek of unreleased artwork by the Rauch Brothers from Rauch Brothers Animation, plus the desktop wallpaper download, and thanks on www.storycorps.org!
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $60 or more
24 backers
StoryCorps Tote Bag, plus the desktop wallpaper download, and thanks on www.storycorps.org!
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $100 or more
47 backers
A copy of the award-winning StoryCorps: Animated Shorts DVD, signed by the Rauch Brothers. Plus thanks on www.storycorps.org, the desktop wallpaper download, and a sneak peek of unreleased artwork by the Rauch Brothers.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $200 or more
10 backers
A hardback copy of 'All There Is: Love Stories from StoryCorps', the recently-released New York Times bestseller, signed by StoryCorps founder and president, Dave Isay. Plus thanks on www.storycorps.org, the desktop wallpaper, a copy of the award-winning StoryCorps: Animated Shorts DVD, and the sneak peek of unreleased Rauch Brothers artwork.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $300 or more
4 backers
Signed CD copies of 'Sunshine Hotel', the out-of-print, long-form radio documentary by StoryCorps founder and Peabody Award winner Dave Isay. The Sunshine Hotel is a portrait of one of the few remaining 'flophouses' on New York City's infamous skid row, the Bowery. Backers will also receive thanks on www.storycorps.org, the desktop wallpaper download, a copy of the award-winning StoryCorps: Animated Shorts DVD, and a sneak peak of unreleased animation artwork by the Rauch Brothers.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $500 or more
3 backers
Limited edition StoryCorps Animated Shorts poster print, featuring beautiful artwork and stills from the special, signed by Mike and Tim Rauch. Plus thanks on www.storycorps.org, the desktop wallpaper, a copy of the award-winning StoryCorps: Animated Shorts DVD, and a sneak peak of unreleased animation artwork by the Rauch Brothers.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers
VIP access to a StoryCorps interview in any of our StoryBooths across the country (New York, San Francisco, Atlanta) or at our iconic AirStream MobileBooth which tours the country, plus all previous rewards.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers Limited (2 left of 2)
Lunch with animators Mike and Tim Rauch, a tour of StoryCorps' Brooklyn headquarters from StoryCorps Animation producer, Lizzie Jacobs, and attendance at the weekly StoryCorps all-staff listening, plus all previous rewards.
Estimated delivery:
Featured
Funding period
- (30 days)
