Rob Munday

A short film centred around a day in the life of a child might not initially sound like the most innovative idea, but, in the hands of animator Gerhard Funk this simple premise evolves into a psychedelic journey through the boundless realms of youthful imagination. A boundary-pushing short featuring “virtual ragdoll puppets”, A Goat’s Spell employs a playful approach to both narrative and craft to create one of the most unique viewing experiences you’ll encounter on our platform.

Opening with shots of a mysterious landscape at night, as the scene transitions to the sun rising behind a couple of hills, the camera pulls back, revealing that what seemed like a natural vista is actually the head of a young boy emerging from under his duvet. This clever visual trick sets the stage for the abstract and surreal journey that follows in A Goat’s Spell. Yet, no matter how unexpected the route Funk takes, the film never sacrifices its entertainment value.

Funk employed a variety of techniques to create the distinct aesthetic of his short.

Describing his approach to the short as “taking the world as a black box and diving into it like a child,” Funk prioritised the importance of an experimental mindset in the development of A Goat’s Spell. Originally conceived as a straightforward 2D animation, Funk grew “incredibly bored” with the conventional idea during a long production delay. On the verge of canceling the project, his collaborators persuaded him to continue, but only if he could transform the original premise into a more experimental venture.

To achieve this more exploratory approach, Funk turned to various animation techniques, including using VFX software to work with 3D drawings, creating characters in virtual reality, operating them with VR controllers like puppets, and even incorporating some frame-by-frame animation. The result is a gloriously disorienting experience that keeps you guessing at every turn. In hindsight, that delayed start to production might have been the best thing to happen to A Goat’s Spell.

One of the more abstract shorts on our platform, Funk’s film perfectly aligns with our mission to champion innovative films that exhibit exceptional craftsmanship. A Goat’s Spell delivers on both fronts and we’re not the only ones to think so, with screenings at numerous prestigious festivals worldwide. Even if the short isn’t your usual fare, the director hopes viewers can “immerse themselves in the flow of imagery and perhaps feel connected to something beyond what they see.”