Pixar, known as the creative animation studio with some of the most successful films in recent memory, has initiated an ambitious program for their animators. The SparkShorts program is an initiative for the studio’s creative team to create short films on a budget with the freedom to create whatever story they desire. The first short under this program is Purl.
The short follows a yarn ball who seeks to fit into her new job with a bunch of older businessmen and even tries to be one of the guys herself. Director Kristen Lester was inspired to create this short based on her experience with previous jobs she had where she was the only woman and felt a bit left out in the boys’ club work culture her coworkers were accustomed to. When producer, Gilliam Libbert-Duncan, approved the idea for the short, she said to Kristen, “I have lived that exact same thing”.
Although Pixar typically makes films geared for families, what’s interesting about Purl is that it is designed more for older audiences. Not only does the short build on adult themes with the woman in the workplace scenario and its commentary on that, but it also includes adult jokes and surprisingly, mild swearing.
This short, creative and brilliant as it is, is just one of many unique shorts Pixar Animation will offer from their new program. The future SparkShorts will premiere later after Disney releases its streaming service, Disney+.
Watch the full short below:
Leave a Comment