Hi SuperForest!
A few weeks ago, I wrote a post sharing with you all the wonderful work of Miss Kirsten Lepore and her short film “Sweet Dreams”. It was a captivating tale that at its juicy core, really encapsulated a wonderful message that held true to some of my own values as well as some of SuperForest’s.
I’m excited to announce that Miss Lepore was gracious enough to grant SuperForest an interview! After emailing her a few questions, she sent us wonderful responses and I was able to learn more of not only her film, but the incredible creative genius behind that film. One only needs to get a taste of “Sweet Dreams” in order to realize the incredible talent we are dealing with here, and it is such an amazing opportunity to be able to share some of this with you all through this interview. She needs no further introduction other than a plain and simple, she is awesome.
Here we go!
SuperForest: First off, tell us a little bit about what you do. Are you a full time animator/illustrator?
Kirsten Lepore: Yep! I’m a full time freelance animator/illustrator. I can’t complain; it’s pretty fun to make a living at what you love!
SF: Was there a defining moment in your life when you felt you were certain you wanted to go into this field of work?
KL: I think ever since I was a kid I wanted to do something that involved all my loves — art, music, motion. I’d always wanted to try animation as a child, but it wasn’t as accessible as it is now with all the recent computer programs. I remember drawing mspaint-like images on this old software called “Kid Pix,” and trying to view them in “slide-show mode” on the fastest setting so it might look like a really slow framerate animation. You can imagine my excitement many years later when I discovered that Flash existed!
SF: I notice your family is pretty involved with your creations, what’s its like working with them?
KL: It’s great! They’ve always been my biggest support system. Fortunately, my mother is a music teacher and my sisters and I grew up playing various instruments. So whenever I need a soundtrack, they’re the first ones I turn to.
SF: About your short film, “Sweet Dreams”, how’d you come up with the concept for such a unique story?
KL: The story was initially inspired by my study abroad experience in Italy. When I was developing the concept, there were a few core ideas I knew I wanted to incorporate. I also really liked the idea of using kale as foliage, so I came up with a story that allowed me to animate with food and at the same time use those foods’ natural properties to convey the messages I had in mind.
SF: I can only imagine the long grueling process it took to create those wonderful nine minutes and fifty six seconds. Could you tell us a bit about the process it took to make “Sweet Dreams”? What motivated you to keep going?
KL: I think my year-long struggle can best be described by this video:
It’s a compilation of short “vlog” clips I recorded on days that I was shooting, and documents some of the ups and downs.
SF: Your method of storytelling was superb! Is there a specific reason you chose not to include any sort of dialogue in the film?
KL: Thank you! Well, mainly I thought it would be cheesy if the characters had mouths and talked. There used to be a lot of really beautiful, touching animations on tv when I was a kid that were without dialogue — Raymond Briggs’ “The Snowman” being one that stands out in my mind. Some stories work better without dialogue, and I never envisioned any for “Sweet Dreams.” Additionally, having just returned from Europe at that time, I was thinking a lot about language, and really wanted to create something that could cross any language barrier.
SF: Toward the end of your film, the sweet sugary characters shed their wrappers and adopt a new, more natural lifestyle. How do you wish to apply this message to the general society? In other words, does this hold true with your own hopes and visions for a brighter tomorrow?
KL: Yes, we should all be nudists! haha, just kidding. The reason I chose the cupcake as the protagonist was because of his ability to shed his wrapper/shave the frosting — I wanted to draw parallels to healthy eating, freedom from sexual repression, and cultural open-mindedness. These are definitely things I believe in and think would make “a brighter tomorrow” for all of us!
SF: Who have been your biggest creative influences?
KL: Besides my sisters and many artistic peers, I’m very inspired by PES, Andreas Nilsson, Paul Driessen, and old Fleischer Bros. cartoons.
SF: On your site, I noticed you mentioned you hope to one day scour the globe in search of the most bizarre and delicious delicacies. So I must ask…what’s the most bizarre and delicious food you’ve ever eaten to date?
KL: Hmm, that’s a tough one. I ate some very bizarre foods in Japan — raw horse meat, natto, and a hard chunk of some mysterious fish’s eggs are a few that come to mind.
SF: Lastly, is there any sort of message you would like to give SuperForesters around the world?
KL: Do what makes you happy! …and eat your vegetables! :)
Lovely! A big hug and “Thank You!” goes out to Kirsten Lepore for taking the time to answer those questions! And for all of you wonderful SuperForesters, here is another one of Lepore’s creations that will make you smile…
Love!
C
(Visit Kirsten’s website for more wonderful videos!)
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