Tinman & Lil, a "Hackimation" steampunk short coming to an internet near you!

Automaton Music had the recent pleasure of visiting a recognizable childhood fairytale world: Frank L. Baum's wonderful land of Oz!  I was very privelaged to be a part of this innovative new animated film, "Tinman & Lil", featuring a new story in this classic setting.  The focus of this adventure is on the eponymous woodcutter, who weilded a cursed axe that eventually severed his limbs, forcing him to acquire replacements made of tin.  As those who know the story remember, the one part of his anatomy that was never replaced was his heart.  Now living in the woods as a hermit, the Tinman has little to do with the outside world until a crazy random happenstance drops a helpless munchkin baby on his doorstep.  Will our hero ignore her plight and remain the heartless Tinman?  Or will he do the right thing and brave the dangers of the woods to return her home?

So much to think about!!

Directing and producing this film is Michael Priebe, an editor with numerous hollywood credits and a passion for puppetry and animation.  Over the years he's developed a new style of animation that he calls "Hackimation" which is easier to see than describe.  It combines the charm of stop motion and physical effects with the versatility of computer animation and compositing into a unique artform that is both familiar and surreal, much like his depiction of Oz.  There are plenty of dark twists and turns on their way back to munchkinland which pepper the short teaser and leave us dying to see more.  Joining Michael is a team of well established animators, artists, and filmmakers and the voice talents of Amanda Miller (who anime fans will recognize as "Sailor Jupiter") and Howie Mandel.  I can say that I couldn't be more thrilled to be providing music behind these AMAZING visuals and underscore this stellar cast!

A shot in progress using Priebe's "Hackimation" technique.

My approach to the music includes traditional orchestration but with lots of metallic percussive and wind elements to compliment both magical and mechanical imagery.  There's plenty of percussive gear and clockwork sounds from EastWest's eerie "Ghostwriter" library to put that steampunk style into the forefront too (we are "Automaton" music after all!).  The trailer is just the beginning though!  There's more Oz hackimation to see and plenty more score to hear and we're still looking for partners to join us in bringing this project to life.  Michael has created some great perks for backers including fashionable t-shirts,  screening parties, and even a puppet made in your likeness that will be featured in the finished film!

Once again check out the kickstarter page at the link below:

Please consider supporting this film and also stay tuned for more projects from Hackimation Lab and Automaton Music!

-Geoff Bowman