"Star Eyes" Written by Sara Inoa. Performed by Sara and her daughter, Ellie. This song plays at the end of the film. Play while you look!
I was a year out from graduating college when I wrote the auto-fictitious script for the animated short "Puddles." I was twenty five and Ellie was five. My ambitions were scattered, I was applying to editing jobs, auditioning for acting roles, submitting short stories, starting to date after breaking up with Ellie's father, but there was a through line: I was being rejected on all fronts. I took a job cashiering at a local liquor store and was feeling self-conscious about what I had accomplished. On a night I was feeling particularly tired, Ellie encouraged me to jump in puddles past bedtime with and it ended up being exactly what I needed.
When I went outside I was grumpy and wanted the outing to be as short as possible. By the time we got back in I was drenched head to toe, full of watermelon, and feeling hopeful that no matter what I would be okay, because I had such a special daughter, myself, and my art.
The art for "Puddles" is still coming together. I want to strike a balance between the careful observation I practice in my illustrations and my love for cartoons. I see it coming together using a mix of traditional and digital mediums, and remaining gestural and whimsical in it's style.
SCRIPT EXERPT:
4 EXT. A PRETTY SHORTCUT THROUGH THE TREES - PAST BEDTIME
Sol runs towards the back of the lot, where there is a small wooded hill at the end of the parking lot. Sol runs, throwing off her jacket and plops in a huge grassy puddle, sitting and playing with the water. Sol sits and smiles, patting the water next to her. Luna looks at her smiling child, and her slightly disgusted expression softens. Luna sits down next to Sol.
Sol lies down and holds Luna’s hand. Luna lies down too. They stare at the grey-purple sky together through the dark trees as rain falls on their faces. Suddenly, Sol throws up her arms and legs, wiggling.
SOL
We’re in an eye!
LUNA
An eye?
SOL
Because the earth's got a lot of tears, just like me and you, mama.
Sol leans over Luna, and her fingers trace the lines tears would make on her face. Luna looks at her daughter lovingly.
LUNA
Mhm.
SOL
And we rain from our eyes on little planets so the little bugs can play.
As Sol speaks, she acts out her story with her hands. Luna laughs.
SOL CONT’D
Why are you laughing, mami?
LUNA
I just like the way you think.
Luna and Sol lay down together on the ground. A peaceful moment. The grass bubbles around Luna, and she becomes frightened but can’t move. She sinks into the wet grass away from Sol and finds herself in the black space below the puddles. She floats back in a black space and quickly lands in new grass.
