A closeted middle school boy’s heart cannot deny what it wants. And what it wants is the most popular boy in school. See how two recent graduates turned this tale into an animated triumph for their Senior Thesis that is sweeping the internet.
In a Heartbeat Animated Short
Created by recent Ringling College of Art & Designs graduates Beth David and Esteban Bravo (Computer Animation, ’17), the Senior Thesis animated short film (shown further down in this post) tells the story of Sherwin, a shy red headed middle-school boy struggling to come to terms with his being gay.
Sherwin’s heart has a mind of its own as it pops out of his chest, literally, to chase after Jonathan, the most popular boy at school. Now, Sherwin must chase after his own heart before it reveals his feelings towards Jonathan, risking humiliating him in front of the entire school.
The piece explores adolescence, love, confusion, and the unique experiences of being a teenage member of the LGBTQIA+ community today.
The short was produced at The Ringling College of Art & Design with an estimated $5000 budget and stars the voices of Nicholas J. Ainsworth and Kelly Donohue.
Music by Arturo Cardelús
Sound Design by Nick Ainsworth
Below are a look at some of sketches and process- and best of all, their own parody posters for the film.
The parody posters they created, which mock popular movies about love, is a tradition at Ringling College of Art & Design:
They’ve even opened a store on Red Bubble that sells posters, prints, stickers and other merchandise from the film
Beth David
– Instagram: @bbethdavidd
– Twitter: @bbethdavidd
– Tumblr: bethdavid.tumblr.com/
Esteban Bravo
– Instagram: @estebravo
– Twitter: @EstebanBravoP
– Tumblr: estebanbravo.tumblr.com/
– Website: estebanbravo.com/