‘The Man, Eating Tiger’ is a short animated film about a man who eats tigers and the consequences of having such a dangerous diet. When indigestion hits, he consults a dubious doctor who is somewhat of a quack. The doctor’s advice coupled with the man’s own paranoia results in a lifestyle change that goes to prove that you truly are what you eat.
My project originated from my kinetics assignment which involved six advanced animation exercises. Although that never really panned out, I was able to take my original concept forward as an independent short film. The story of the film follows a comic poem that I wrote, based on the pun of “a man, eating tiger.” The plot also deals with issues like illness, metamorphosis and medical malpractice, albeit in a light-hearted fashion.
Aside from developing the concept and story further, I was also able to strike upon a unique animation style, which was based on stencils and silhouettes. Designed as a single shot, the film uses organic and abstract backgrounds that reflect the character’s development. Using a combination of digital tools and traditional methods, I managed to apply a graphic look to accentuate the story.
By working on this project independently, I was able to control every aspect of production. This also came with the added responsibility of taking care of all the little details, including things like composing music and digital compositing. By financing my own production, I learned how to manage my resources and time. The film is certainly a labour of love and it has given me the confidence to take my original ideas and turn them into something concrete.
