PIVOT, an animated seven-minute short film directed by Ana Gusson and written by Robyn Campbell, tackles a simple concept, a child’s desire to express his, her identity and happiness by wearing what feels right to them.
However, beneath this simplicity lies a complex web of societal expectations, political agendas,and moral beliefs that can be fraught with complications that may seem to be simple choices. The film navigates this complexity with skilled subtlety that will resonate with many individuals growing up in a world filled with differing expectations and opinions on how one should behave, especially in terms of gender roles and identity.
PIVOT centers on 12-year-old Ashley who finds herself at odds with her mother’s expectations of femininity and the traditional image of what a girl should be.
The choice of the title PIVOT for the short film creates a clever through line that ties together the child’s desire to play basketball, the mother’s evolving understanding and acceptance of her child’s identity, and the audience’s own need to pivot their preconceived notions about gender, children and parenting.
The presence of award-winning creative talent behind PIVOT, including director Ana Gusson, animator Erica Miles and art director Cindey Chiang, shows in the short film’s animation style, which is engaging and emotionally resonant, particularly in the film’s climatic scene when Ashley physically battles with a dress after it has transformed into a monster. It is a creative and visually compelling metaphor to convey the internal conflict that individuals, especially children, may face when their identity clashes with societal expectations – and prejudices.
PIVOT invites viewers to consider the experiences of children who do not conform to cisgender* or heteronormative** expectations. It encourages empathy and understanding, emphasizing the importance of allowing children to explore their identities in a safe and supportive environment. The film’s message is universal and relevant, making it a valuable addition to the ongoing conversation, dialogue and controversy regarding inclusivity and acceptance.
Oh, By the Way: What Is a Short Film
A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film, according to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It defines a short film as “an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits” In the United States, short films were generally termed short subjects from the 1920s into the 1970s when confined to two 35 mm reels or less, and featurettes for a film of three or four reels. “Short” was an abbreviation for either term.
*Cisgender: Denoting or relating to a person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex registered for them at birth; not transgender.
**Heteronormative: Denoting or relating to a world view that promotes heterosexuality as the normal or preferred sexual orientation.
Filmmakers’ Bios
Ana Gusson is an award-winning director (ISABEL & NICKI’S SUPER DUPER TWIN ADVENTURES) and accomplished 2D Animator based in Vancouver. She has worked as an animator in productions like MY LITTLE PONY: THE MOVIE, Netflix’s ARCHIBALDS NEXT BIG THING and Dreamworks’ TROLLSTOPIA.
Robyn Campbell is an award-winning Canadian screenwriter with a passion for animated content, currently writing for LEGO FRIENDS produced by The LEGO Group. As a bisexual female millennial, Robyn creates characters and stories that are inclusive, diverse and encourage audiences to be themselves, even when it’s difficult.
Producer Tini Wider who is currently based in Canada owns her own production company Wider Entertainment Inc which has been a huge milestone in her career. After producing PIVOT she is now working as a VFX Producer on an animated CG feature film at Industrial Light and Magic.
Ana Gusson is an award-winning director (ISABEL & NICKI’S SUPER DUPER TWIN ADVENTURES) and accomplished 2D Animator based in Vancouver. She has worked as an animator in productions like MY LITTLE PONY: THE MOVIE, Netflix’s ARCHIBALDS NEXT BIG THING and Dreamworks’ TROLLSTOPIA.
Cindey Chiang is an award-winning Art Director and Visual Development Artist. She has contributed to a variety of productions ranging from animating on the Beatles “Covers” ad for Apple to working on both of THE ANGRY BIRDS movies as a Visual Development Artist. Cindey is currently a Visual Development Artist on the GARFIELD animated feature, set to release in 2024.
Erica Miles is an award-winning Animation Director living in Vancouver. She has worked on a number of exciting projects including the award-winning HILDA, 101 DALMATION STREET, TROLLSTOPIA , and YOUNG LOVE for clients like Netflix, Disney, Dreamworks, and Sony/HBO Max. Erica is currently working on a series for Disney at Atomic Cartoons.
Eva Pekárová is a composer and musician crafting compelling scores in documentaries, films, and animations. Pekárová is working with live orchestras and weaving the rich tapestry of Eastern European folk instruments into her genre-defying upcoming album.
J Perez can be reached at z3phouseestablishment@gmail.com