Ivan Kander
Admittedly, Acorns isn’t the typical kind of piece we feature. For one, it’s a web series – not so much a standalone short but rather a series of connected entries in a larger tableau. But, beyond the fact that it doesn’t really match our “single-feature” format, it’s also decidedly family-friendly in way that most shorts…well…aren’t. Beyond the occasional smattering of CG animations attempting to emulate the style of Pixar (e.g. aiming directly for the heartstrings), most short films skew “adult,” especially in the world of indie “art house” animation that primarily champions the weird and abstract.
Acorns is the opposite: simple, cheery, and charming. It’s a delight to watch the various misadventures of three small (yet expressive) acorns as they make their journey to adulthood. In the wake of 2020, a year that stands out for its grimness, I found the exploits of the three hero nuts (Kella, Parva, and Hondo) to be comforting and sweet.
Heralding the film’s cuteness might seem like trivial praise, but I think it warrants a bit of analysis. After watching hours upon hours of bad kid-centric entertainment (part of becoming a parent is learning to hate Paw Patrol), crafting something that is the right mix of “adorable” but not “insufferable” is a highly unique art form. Recently, the Australian import, Bluey, has figured this out. And, I think Acorns is operating with a similar tonal mindset. The visuals and music are engaging enough for the preschool set, but the gags and slapstick are fun enough for older viewers. Moreover, there is a larger journey here that feels substantive as we follow our heroes from one bite-sized adventure to the next, especially when viewed within the context of a more expansive metaphor of progressing through major life stages.
As the director of the project, Bradley Furnish, relates:
“Everyone at some point goes through a life-changing transition. The acorns are the perfect encapsulation of this: tiny seeds that are meant to spread far and wide and transform into mighty trees many times their original size. This story is meant to capture the feelings of wonder, determination, and fear that we experience when we leave our childhood homes and venture out to find our place in the world”.
Tonko House, the Oscar-nominated studio behind The Dam Keeper, created each episode of Acorns in under a month using limited resources and innovative production techniques. The series was made using a combination of live-action plates, photogrammetry for the sets, HDR captures to recreate lighting and 3D animated characters.
Be sure to head to the Acorns YouTube channel to watch all episodes of this charming series.