Directed by Matt Hammill, guru animation studio
When cute dead birds start dropping out of the sky, a smoke-spewing factory discovers the toxic side effects of his existence.
Interview with director Matt Hammill
Q. What inspired the storyline of Hazed?
I had the idea of a toxic, smog-spewing factory character, the kind of guy who might normally be a villain, but I wanted him to be sympathetic, not evil–just a guy who’s unfortunately stuck doing what he does. Everyone already knows that pollution = bad and environment = good, and yet apparently we’re still wrecking the planet. Change is really hard for us. It’s kind of a bleak situation. (As you can see, I’m not the biggest optimist 
I wanted to write a story that touched on that without being too didactic. Nobody WANTS to destroy the environment, but there’s no way big change will be m sacrifice-free.
Q. How do you start creating an animated film? With a story, a character, a drawing?
This one started as a little thumbnailed comic strip in my sketchbook. When I write stories, usually the characters come first–in this case, a toxic factory with a guilty personality. I’m a bit of a worrier and I’ve got a bit of a guilty personality myself so it was easier for me to work with a character I could relate to! After getting that scrap of a concept, I just started doodling little panels of what could happen to him.
Q. What do you think the value is of a short film and short film festivals?
The fact that shorts are easier to produce than a feature means there’s more freedom to experiment with story and technique. Fewer people involved means there’s fewer people to please! As for festivals, its great to see stuff you might not stumble across otherwise. And I’m certainly guilty of skipping ahead through videos online even when they’re only 30 seconds long, so it’s nice to have a place where shorts can be given some more time and attention, and be seen as their creators intended.
There was no sound on this clip. Then after I started submitting this comment, the sound started.
No offense man, but I do not think that this suicidal conclusion sends out the right message. Visually it was cool, but another alternative ending would have been more appropriate…
Man, nivce video, but the ending is not nice, I agree with Jayden, an alternate ending would have been more appropriate; the clip used to have a meaning before I saw how it ended.
I think the ending is hilarious-the timing, the absurdity…awesome work man!
The whole thing is awesome, especially the subversive ending. I was afraid it was going to be a preachy, “inconvenient truth”-esque short, but instead was happily surprised. I disagree with the other comments that call for an alternate ending. It’s perfect as is.
I loved the Dixieland music, and the way the factory
was just groovin’ away …. then Awareness strikes.
Good on him, that he wanted to make a change!
It was fun watching this film. I love the references to The Iron Giant!
Best one. Short, simple, gets the message across, cute and funny. Plus the factory explodes in a spectacular, very real ending. Need I say more?
done nicely but the ending just doesn’t work for me - negates the message
I agree with Steve on the subversive ending. To the other commenters who would have liked an alternate ending: I don’t think the intention of the short was to be moralizing in the conventional sense. The darker ending is much more substantial and discerning… and it’s totally hilarious!
(Beautiful animation and lighting too!)
I have to disagree - I thought the film was decent until suddenly the factory blew up. It just seemed so out of place. At the very least, it could have used more transition or some sort of foreshadowing. It just did not flow at all and left me disappointed.
I have to agree with Mia. I watched the film and really liked it until the factory blew up. It made me think what’s the point? There’s no resolution anymore so why even have a story? Sure it’s funny but I think the film is too short for it to stay afloat on that one laugh alone.
The ending emphasizes a very real truth, and maybe that things are going to happen to our planet unless we turn around…which we probably aren’t going to do.
Therefore, the ending has more point and relevance than we may think. Things do not need a resolution in order to have a good and straight to the point story.
People want to feel good about themselves when they watch a film.. and so those who don’t receive the sigh of relief feel robbed. Personally.. I like a little cynical humor here and there, and this film avoided being a preachy movie, while still raising some key environmental issues.
I loved the use of music.
that was absolutely incredible…
Sorry guys, I am down for a subversive ending but this one falls short for me. Resolution, cynical humor, sigh of relief or what have you, it just isn’t successful. It was distracting.
I am surprised to see a 3-D film in the running amongst traditional animation.
BEST film of the 3…by a mile! Excellent work!!
I love the animation, but the overall pace is just too intense. The sounds all meld together into a jumble and all of it just feels messy. Pacing is the key to storytelling–holding back at certain points could have completely turned this animation around.
I liked it the best
Brisk, snappy, incredibly economical storytelling. It packs a humorous punch, doesn’t take a second more than it needs, and unlike most simplistic eco-minded stories, that coos “Oh, if only we would just ___”, this short humorously smirks at the idea of easy answers. Beautifully done.
I agree with the poster that said the short eschews the illusion of easy answers to complex problems; that about sums it up!
Brilliant! The hilariously twisted ending pokes fun at preachy environmentalism while proving that environmentalists have a point after all. Superbly executed, especially the musical choices.
Excellent!
The ending is my favourite part.
I disagree with the poster that said the surprise ending negates the message. If anything it only hardens the resolve.
I liked it
excellent.. it addresses our major pollution problems..companies should take note of this…
excellent!
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