A poem becomes an opera... and now, an animated short film.
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"The Man" is in Production!
Production of "The Man in the Mangroves" has started!
Final artwork and animation are underway with our artist/animators at Squawk Productions. We will have more details as the work progresses. The image below will give you a sneak peek at our production art.
If you like what you see, please consider adding to the generosity of our 200+ supporters. Consider donating to the completion of our film.
THE POEM
The Man in the Mangroves Counts to Sleep is a poem from Donna Decker’s published collection, Under the Influence of Paradise — Voices of Key West. The poem depicts a fictionalized version of an encounter Donna had with a homeless mathematician living at a mangrove swamp encampment in Key West.
THE MUSIC
Accompanying Donna's poem is Andy Moorer’s musical score, creating a new art form – the first speech-synthesized opera-novella. It is the result of Andy's two years of work in bringing this poem into the musical realm. The score has already been performed at Stanford University and at the 2020 New York City Electronic Music Festival.
THE ANIMATED FILM
Positive reviews of the poem and score have led the team to conclude that an animated film will create a compelling interpretation of both the poem and the music. Accomplished animators, Caitlin Hargarten and Sam Thompson at Squawk Productions are leading the effort to create The Man in the Mangroves as a visual experience, an animated short film.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT "THE MAN IN THE MANGROVES":
Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts & Culture
In partnership with the Tallahassee Writers Association