Oliver Hale: Finding Creativity in Spontaneity
Oliver Hale, a second-year animation major at Interlochen Center for the Arts, is driven by a passion for storytelling and a willingness to embrace imperfection. His latest project, The Bird Infestation, demonstrates his inventive approach to animation, combining spontaneity with resourcefulness to create a memorable piece.
A Unique Approach to Storytelling
Hale’s creative process begins with a deep dive into the source material. “For The Bird Infestation, I started by carefully reading the poem,” he shares. His goal was to complement the poem’s narration with visuals, allowing the text to lead the storytelling. From there, he moved on to storyboarding and brainstorming, blending thoughtful preparation with room for creative exploration.
What makes Hale’s work stand out is its unpredictability. “I think the spontaneity and creative essence of The Bird Infestation make it unique,” he says. Despite feeling the project was rushed, Hale notes that this quality aligns with the chaotic energy of the poem, a point highlighted by his teacher, Brianna.
Collaborative Growth
Collaboration added depth to the project, as Hale worked closely with a classmate. While the process wasn’t always easy, the diverse perspectives enriched the final result. “These different eyes and minds allowed us to explore new avenues I hadn’t thought of,” he reflects.
Facing Challenges Head-On
Balancing academics and artistry posed one of Hale’s biggest challenges during this project. “Time and energy were limited,” he admits. To meet deadlines, he devoted extra hours after school and made sacrifices in other areas of his studies. “In the end, we managed to pull it off,” he says with pride.
Tools and Materials: Making Animation Accessible
For The Bird Infestation, Hale and his team utilized Dragonframe software and cutout paper animation. The project’s success, however, stemmed from their inventive use of materials. “We incorporated anything cool we could find in the classroom,” he explains, underscoring the importance of resourcefulness in animation.
Hale hopes his approach will inspire others to see animation as an accessible art form. “You don’t need a fancy tablet or expensive software,” he says. “If you have a story to tell, you can tell it.”
Looking Ahead
Hale’s creative journey is far from over. He’s currently in the early stages of his senior film, Take a Walk, which will merge Unreal Engine-rendered backgrounds and simulations with 2D animation. This project marks another step in Hale’s exploration of innovative storytelling techniques.
Advice for Aspiring Animators
Hale’s advice for newcomers to animation is refreshingly candid: “Make art that you hate or think is ugly. Animation doesn’t have to be perfect.” He encourages creators to focus on storytelling rather than comparing their work to big-budget productions.
“Be kind to yourself,” he adds. “The work you make is a part of you, but it’s not sacred. Muscles grow by breaking, and so does your art.”
A Vision for the Future
Through his work, Hale aims to inspire others to pursue animation with whatever resources they have at hand. “Animation can be made with almost anything,” he says. His belief in the power of storytelling, combined with his inventive approach, ensures his creative voice will continue to make an impact in the world of animation.
With The Bird Infestation and beyond, Hale demonstrates that animation is not just about technique but about finding joy and meaning in the process. His journey is a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and perseverance.