AnimationWorld Magazine — October 25, 2017
‘Negative Space’ Explores the Lasting Bond Between a Father and Son
Negative Space is a new short film from Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata that depicts a father-and-son relationship through the act of packing a suitcase. Based on a 150-word prose poem by Ron Koertge, the five-and-a-half-minute adaptation employs handmade stop-motion animation to bring visual metaphor and subtext to the original words.
A filmmaking duo based in Baltimore, MD, Porter and Kuwahata have collaborated for more than a decade as Tiny Inventions, directing short films, TV commercials, music videos and comics. Produced by Ikki Films and Manuel Cam Studio in France, Negative Space is their fourth professional film.
When reading Koertge’s text, Kuwahata connected with the characters on a deeply, personal level. As an airline pilot, Ru’s father traveled often when she was growing up and one of the most vivid images of her childhood is her father’s packing list pinned to the wall of his study. Max and Ru mined their own childhood memories of specific objects, textures and banal routines to portray the small things that make up a large part of life.
After the initial development of Negative Space, Porter and Kuwahata submitted a project proposal to the CICLIC Animation Center, a production residency located in Vendôme, France. Later, they teamed up with French animation production company IKKI FILMS and co-producer Manuel Cam Studio to realize the project over a nine-month period. The entire Negative Space team brought their artistry and passion into the compact narrative. Living and working in four different locations in France during the production, Max and Ru became professional packers.