The Gnomes

Emma Butcher - instagram

The Gnomes is about a curious young girl searching for her lost dog in her neighbors yard. The yard however is littered with unsettling gnome figurines, that unbeknownst to the girl are the trapped souls of the children who have ventured into the yard previously. The girl meets the same fateful demise as the children before her, after she is discovered by the witch who owns the house.

The film is narratively reflective of a folktale with its fantastical elements and cautionary message of the dangers of wandering too far into unknown territory. The charcoal brushes and overall hand drawn, scratchy style of the piece was employed to create a whimsical, but also eerie atmosphere that echoes the grim fate of the protagonist. A multitude of textures and visual effects, combined with the character and background design, have also been used to develop the visual feel of a children’s picture book. This, in tandem with the fable-like narrative, highlights the angst of childhood and the fear that comes with navigating the newness of the world at a young age.

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