Indie director Bianca Poletti turned out this short film, Fertile, which centers on Emily who’s coming to her wit’s end while living alone during pandemic quarantine. She reluctantly agrees to go on a Zoom date with her mother’s accountant, making for a story that gives some much needed humanity, humor and wit to these challenging times.
Originally from Argentina, Poletti grew up in California and went to USC for a film education. Her filmography also includes the short How the worlds treating you that premiered at the Mammoth Film Festival. She additionally has to her credit a number of music videos.
Credits
Creative Story by Bianca Poletti & Rebecca Leigh. Rebecca Leigh, writer. Production Bianca Poletti, director; Eric Smith, DP; Nikita Belomestnykh, producer; Julie DiMartino, hair & makeup. Editorial Laura Sanford (Arcade Edit), editor; Kristen Kiertzner, edit assist. Color Michael Gossen (Company 3), colorist. Audio Troy Richert. Post Sound Peter Trepke Music Eugene Cast Laura Seay, Andrew Bering
FCB Health New York, an IPG Health company, and SAFE Project have joined forces to create “The Snowball,” a short film that spotlights winter as a common catalyst for dangerous increases in alcohol consumption. In collaboration with creative studio LOBO, “The Snowball” combines a compelling visual metaphor with cutting-edge animation and a haunting soundtrack from Billie Holiday.
As millions embrace “Dry January,” the onset of colder, shorter winter days still leads to an uptick in alcohol misuse, which can lead to liver cirrhosis and other medical maladies and dangerous consequences for one’s life. Speaking to casual drinkers, “The Snowball” visually illustrates how anyone is at risk of becoming addicted to alcohol during this time of year when external climate variables can lead to excess consumption, even if the drinker does not immediately realize it.
Making good on the metaphor, the film follows one man as a quick liquor run gradually devolves into a full-blown addiction as a snowball gradually grows beside him, engulfing his whole life and eventually causing his demise. Set to the tune of Billie Holiday’s “Everything I Have Is Yours,” the film’s pathos is drawn from the sonic integrity of Holiday’s original recording maintained in the sound design as well as the singer’s tragic battle with substance abuse.
This entirely animated film was created using a hands-on, collaborative process rooted in traditional animation techniques, with every aspect of the artwork creation, design, and craftsmanship crafted entirely by human hands. AI-driven tools and processes were brought in during the animation rendering stage, helping the film achieve a distinct visual style that would have been difficult to achieve through... Read More
