THE REAL TOON BLUES

A hybrid film, created using live-action footage with 2D frame-by-frame animation composited on top. This technique is used to depict a literal relationship between a young adult, Kari, and her favorite cartoon character, Teddy — secretly a superhero, the Prince of Shadows. This hybrid style has been heavily influenced by films such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Cool World, and Space Jam. However, the traditional cartoon-come-to-life has been personalized, with Teddy's design inspired by the teen hero protagonists of mid-2000s animated series. The narration in the film consists of quotes related to the various creative, critical, and emotional aspects of the animation process, with scenes carefully constructed to evoke the essence of those crucial themes. THE REAL TOON BLUES is a close examination of the relationship between the television screen and the child, meant to communicate that the stories and heroes which brought us joy may not be "real" in the traditional sense, but that those feelings themselves are immutable, and are part of a universal experience that transcends any age.