Creative animation studio Psyop partnered with YoungArts to bring a short animated film Together to life.

Commissioned by YoungArts, the film features original illustrations by YoungArts alumni and notable guest artists. Each digital frame represents a unique work of art that will be available for purchase to support YoungArts.

The film debuts on youngarts.org on January 25, at 8 p.m. EST. It features more than 1,500 individual digital frames.

“YoungArts remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering artists by providing them with essential opportunities for artistic, professional, and financial support throughout their careers,” said YoungArts’ Executive Director Jewel Malone in a statement. “During these uncertain times, YoungArts is raising critical funds for the organization through virtual campaign efforts to continue its support of artists, while also celebrating art and its power to bring people together.”

Together features original drawings and paintings of birds created by Leticia Bajuyo, Zoe Buckman, Demetri Burke, Robert Chambers, Julia Chiang, Paula Crown, Isabela Dos Santos, Glenn Espinosa, Shepard Fairey, Dara Girel-Mats, Sheree Hovsepian KAWS, Yashua Klos, Jason Kraus, Catherine Labarca, Destiny Moore, Jose Parla, and Jean Shin.

The moving story is brought to life by Psyop’s animation duo Igor + Valentine, and the writers Brandon Mugar and Reuben Hower.

ALSO CHECK OUT: Watch the WiNDUP Animated Short Film and Q&A

LRM Online’s Gig Patta spoke with Igor + Valentine (Matt Smithson and David Stanfield) on taking this ambitious project for YoungArts.

Matt Smithson trained as a fine artist, in which his animation work often possesses a tactile handmade quality, typically illustration based. Smithson received a Young Gun Award for his work from the American Directors’ Club. His video The Girl Effect, produced for the Nike Foundation, was included in the Cooper Hewitt Museum’s National Design Triennial. From 2006-2017, he worked under the name Man vs Magnet with clients such as IBM, Showtime, Samsung, and MTV.

David Stanfield is a motion designer and director employing both illustration and graphic design in his visual language. He worked with clients like Google, Airbnb, Patagonia, Reddit, The Atlantic, Zendesk, Vox, and many others. Also, he co-founded and ran the international motion design collaboration 9 Squares, which was featured at the Tate Museum of Art in London.

Now they form the animation duo Igor + Valentine. For more of their animation work, please visit here.

Check out the film on www.youngarts.org on January 25 at 8 p.m. EST.

Watch the exclusive interview below. Let us know what you think.

Source: LRM Online Exclusive, Psyop