DreamWorks Animation has dropped a first trailer to To: Gerard, from writer-director Taylor Meacham. The short feature is about the sense of magic that a parent or parental figure can spark in a child, enchanting them 60 years on and prompting them to inspire others.
Having been chosen for this year’s Tribeca Pageant, To: Gerard will have its European premiere at France’s Annecy Pageant, which runs 15-30 June.
Meacham was working as a production co-ordinator at DreamWorks Animation, helping to set up the pitches for the studio’s newly launched shorts program. He got an internship at the studio during his senior year, and was inspired to pitch his own idea for a short after spending time with his dad.
The 7.5-minute short tells the poignant story of an older man who has worked at a post office all his life, despite harboring dreams of becoming a magician from a young age. When a young girl accidentally walks into his life one day, he seizes the chance to pass on the dream with the aid of a special magic coin.
Produced by DreamWorks veteran Jeff Hermann (Kung Fu Panda 3, The Boss Baby 2) who also oversaw the studio’s three other shorts Bird Karma, Bilby and Marooned, the short features character designs by artist Nico Marlet (Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon trilogies, Abominable) and music by Layla Minoui.