Adult Swim's The Elephant
Three animators, one story, three distinct styles.
Adult Swim's The Elephant is an experimental animated special from creators Jack Pendarvis and Kent Osborne. Animators Ian Jones-Quartey, Patrick McHale, Rebecca Sugar, and Pendleton Ward worked independently on different segments using an exquisite corpse technique in a triptych style, giving the single story three distinct tones.
Quick Facts
- Creator
- Jack Pendarvis; Kent Osborne
- Writer
- Ian Jones-Quartey
- Patrick McHale
- Rebecca Sugar; Pendleton Ward
- Director
- Pendleton Ward
- Ian Jones-Quartey
- Patrick McHale
- Rebecca Sugar
- Starring
- Maria Bamford
- SungWon Cho
- Jordan Jensen
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Runtime
- 23 minutes
- Network
- Adult Swim
Facts from the source article.
Plot
The narrative begins with blank, faceless figures collecting a machine-like body. A fragment of this object comes alive and becomes the protagonist. This new being is informed it has no fixed moral nature and can choose its own path, highlighting the limitless possibilities of a fresh start. The second part introduces a character named Music Button, whose enchanting music delights an audience but fills the performer with anxiety and dread when forced to continue. This section mirrors the experience of creators who feel confined by their own success. Music Button ultimately decides to break away from the crowd. The third section follows a drifting spirit that inhabits different bodies across various times and places, eventually landing in a robot called Screeno. Overwhelmed by despair, Screeno attempts to self-destruct. A lonely scientist named Dan intervenes and forms a connection with the robot. After witnessing a brush with death, Screeno's outlook shifts, allowing it to discover happiness in existence.
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