Raindance Film Festival 2021
Shorts Programme: Animation 1
Panic attacks can strike at unexpected moments. In Parked, a panic attack occurs in a car park. The film is a representation of having one’s internal consciousness struggle to get out of an inescapeable internal torture, while the physical self is paralysed, parked in the external reality.
Hey Yoon, it's great to talk with you, how have you been keeping during these strange times?
I am currently in school pursuing a Master's degree in animation. The school was switched online but my life had not drastically changed by the Covid situation. I had been working on finishing this film “Parked” for most of the pandemic situation. Since it requires me to sit around and draw most of the time, I would say that the quarantine situation had somehow benefited me. I am still in school working on my thesis project which had been majorly influenced by covid and how the world handled it. So I have been handling these strange times fairly well.
Has this time offered you the chance to find some new inspiration or opportunities?
‘Parked’ had a deadline for May 2020, since this was due for my first years' shorts class in school. However since the pandemic paused school and things were up in the air, everything was pushed into the haze. Since there was no deadline, I could spend as much time as I wanted on this project. The film finished in April 2021 with more frames and thoughts put in compared to how it would have been with the initial deadline. The other opportunity I found was the idea for my next film which deals with greed in the form of gluttony and breaking of order.
Congratulations on having your UK Premiere of Parked at Raindance 2021, what does it mean to you to be at the festival?
This was my first film as an animator and it means a lot for me that Parked is being screened at such a big festival. I had never expected it to be accepted to this festival since I had been getting a lot of denials from major animation festivals. The acceptance to Raindance boosted up my confidence and passion to work towards my next project. Film festivals are a new field of subject for me since I had been working in the business world before making this film. So I am excited to be a part of London's biggest independent film festival. I would have loved to join the fest in person, and I am sad that my situation didn’t allow me to do so. Hopefully in the future, if I were to be selected again, I would want to join in-person to fully enjoy the program.
Can you tell me a little bit about Parked, what was the inspiration behind your animation?
Parked is about having a random panic attack at a parking lot, for no reason. It is from my personal experience of having an annoying anxiety attack while driving.
What would you say was the biggest challenge you faced making Parked?
This was my first film so everything was a challenge. Planning story boards drawing, layouts, every part of preproduction and production was a challenge for me. So when Covid hit, it wasn't as bad as others might have taken it, since everything was a mess for me anyways.
Have you always had a passion for animation?
Yes, I have. The sensation of moving images interests me. It is the best tool to express my thoughts. The only downside is that it takes a long time.
Since making Parked what would you say has been the most valuable lesson you've taken away from making Parked?
Even when the world seems like it is at its dystopian period, there’s always something I can do to make myself productive. I think I was the most productive when school was shut and there was nothing else to do.
Do you have any advice or tips you would offer fellow animators?
Animation takes a lot of time. Sometimes we forget how much we love this form of art especially when our body starts to break down from all that long hours of work. I hope fellow animators can always remember how much and why we started animating.
Since making Parked what would you say has been the most valuable lesson you've taken away from making Parked?
Even when the world seems like it is at its dystopian period, there’s always something I can do to make myself productive. I think I was the most productive when school was shut and there was nothing else to do.
"I hope audiences who have similar experiences have that catharsis with the film."
Do you have any advice or tips you would offer fellow animators?
Animation takes a lot of time. Sometimes we forget how much we love this form of art. I hope fellow animators can always remember how much and why we started animating.
And finally, what do you hope people will take away Parked?
Parked was a cathartic experience for me. I got to let out all the constrained energy of anxiety. I hope audiences who have similar experiences have that catharsis with the film. As for those who are not aware of such anxiety, I hope the film helps them understand the experience of discomfort, and horror that some people have.