Daniel Cardenas, a renowned animator, embarked on his journey in the distant city of Santiago, Chile, and spent his childhood in the vibrant city of Miami. Pursuing his passion for art, Daniel flew to New York to attend the prestigious Cooper Union for Art. After earning his degree, he honed his skills in design and animation working with the esteemed directors team at Panoptic.
Daniel’s journey took a significant turn when one of his creations, a sloth animation, caught the attention of Ben Karlins’ company, superego, which turned it into a web series. After its successful stint, Daniel got the opportunity to bring to life his own script, Xemoland, funded by the Borscht Film Festival and Miami World Cinema Center.
Unraveling the Mysteries of Xemoland
Xemoland, a unique tale rooted in real-life events involving Daniel and his brothers, revolves around an alternate dimension promising irresistible attractions to a child’s imagination, like hoverboards. However, the story entails a twist as the older siblings exploit their younger brother’s fear of an atomic holocaust, a fear sparked by the movie, Terminator 2.
All-Time Favorite Movies
Daniel’s top three favorite films include:
- Grand Prix: Directed by John Frankenheimer, this classic captures the thrill of the ’60s formula one race in 70mm, featuring stunning footage and the enchanting Francois Hardy. As a racing and film enthusiast, Daniel appreciates the perfect fusion of these elements in Grand Prix;
- The Holy Mountain: A psychedelic masterpiece from the ’70s by Alexandro Jodorowski. This hard-to-describe film offers a trippy experience that captivates and mystifies;
- Brazil: Terry Gilliam’s inventive, humorous film that explores civilization’s absurdity in a remarkably unique manner.
The Directors That Inspire
Daniel finds inspiration from a myriad of acclaimed directors. In the realm of animation, he admires the works of Satoshi Kon, Hayao Miyazaki, and Brad Bird. He also draws inspiration from the Coen Brothers, Woody Allen, Jean Luc Godard, and Hitchcock. Furthermore, he expresses his admiration for Wes Anderson and often finds solace in his film, Rushmore, during ill health.
The Road Ahead After Xemoland
Following the completion of Xemoland, Daniel plans to contribute his art to the Miami New Thinkers show during the Art Basel festival. He then hopes to explore the West Coast’s vibrant creative scene, particularly Los Angeles, where he plans to work on an animated pilot. He keeps the details under wraps but hints at his excitement towards the West Coast adventure and owning a 1967 BMW 2002.
Dream Projects: The Passion for Innovation
Daniel holds a dream of intertwining his love for racing and animation into an animated sci-fi racing show. He hopes to convince TV networks that his project will not replicate the Speed Racer movie but push the medium into uncharted territories. He also aspires to create a feature about competing artists in a decaying metropolis.
Must-Visit Websites for an Animation Aficionado
Daniel recommends several insightful websites for fellow animation enthusiasts, including:
- Digg, Reddit;
- jamesallenonF1.com;
- Boing Boing;
- drawn.ca;
- cartoonbrew.com;
- lineboil.com.
He also enjoys the vast selection of TV shows on adultswim.com and Hulu, with 30 Rock being his favorite.
Parting Thoughts: An Inspirational Quote
As a parting note, Daniel shares an intriguing quote from French Formula One driver, Alain Prost, explaining the paradox of control and speed in racing. He admits that its relevance to films is uncertain, but he believes it encapsulates an essential life lesson.
Casting a Spotlight on Sloth Animation
Building on his experience, we dive into Daniel’s unique work – Sloth Animation. This piece of artistry, which spun into a web series, is a testament to his creativity and adeptness in animation. The sloth, with its slow and deliberate movements, faces various situations in a human-like world, making for intriguing viewing.
Diving into the Genre of Animated Sci-fi Racing Shows
As an animation enthusiast with a deep-seated passion for motorsport, Daniel eyes the untapped potential in bringing together these two seemingly disparate worlds. He envisions creating a unique blend of high-speed thrills and captivating animation that will redefine the genre and keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Following the interview with Daniel Cardenas on his sloth creations, the discussion turns to the equally unique ensemble of ‘Secret Mountain Fort Awesome’ characters.
Conclusion
From Santiago to Miami, Daniel Cardenas’s journey threads through his love for animation and a knack for storytelling. With his unique creations like Xemoland and Sloth Animation, he has carved a niche for himself in the animation landscape. His ambitions continue to propel him forward, and the animation industry can eagerly look forward to his future projects.