Animation

The Deadline

Kayla Bergeron

Duration: 4:46 min

Medium: 2D Digital Animation

Director, Animator, Visual Development, Sound Design

Trailer

Logline

Trapped between burnout and obedience, Jane falls asleep at work and descends into a nostalgic dreamscape where she must confront her inner child and the habits she’s formed to please others.

Artist Statement

In this film I wanted to communicate how easy it is to lose yourself when you unhealthily overextend yourself in your work. I’ve always struggled with performance anxiety and people pleasing, Jane’s character is loosely based on my own experiences, her desperation towards her boss reflects a desire to feel acknowledged and needed by others. Jane will always say yes, she wants to be the person you can count on, but what happens when her physical limits are pushed?

When Jane falls asleep, I wanted the audience to feel the contrasts between her dream world and her workplace. I chose an elementary school, for many including myself, past childhood experiences carry a feeling of innocence and wonder. I felt motivated to experiment and create a colourful, nostalgic world, something that felt familiar and representative of the joy that she suppresses in her reality. Ultimately this film and Jane’s journey comes with realizing self-worth and setting boundaries. It tells a story about how important it is to pause and exist, to enjoy experiences innocently without proving value.