A poem becomes an opera... and now, an animated short film.
Animation of "The Man" is almost complete!
After four years The Man in the Mangroves Counts to Sleep is nearly finished!
We are:
- Polishing the animation with a list of changes and enhancements.
- Finalizing the film's score for Dolby Atmos® theater presentation.
- Submitting a working version of the film to nationally recognized film festivals for 2025.
Now we need your help to take this film over the finish line.
Please click here to support this remarkable project.
Sample frames from the finished animation of The Man in the Mangroves
THE POEM
The Man in the Mangroves Counts to Sleep is a poem from Donna Decker’s published collection, Under the Influence of Paradise — Voices of Key West. The poem depicts a fictionalized version of an encounter Donna had with a homeless mathematician living at a mangrove swamp encampment in Key West.
THE MUSIC
Accompanying Donna's poem is Andy Moorer’s musical score, creating a new art form – the first speech-synthesized opera-novella. It is the result of Andy's two years of work in bringing this poem into the musical realm. The score has already been performed at Stanford University and at the 2020 New York City Electronic Music Festival.
THE ANIMATED FILM
Positive reviews of the poem and score have led the team to conclude that an animated film will create a compelling interpretation of both the poem and the music. Accomplished animators, Caitlin Hargarten and Sam Thompson at Squawk Productions are leading the effort to create The Man in the Mangroves as a visual experience, an animated short film.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT "THE MAN IN THE MANGROVES":
Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts & Culture
In partnership with the Tallahassee Writers Association