"The Wrong Rock" by Michael Cawood @ HEROmation Award Winning CGI Animated Short Film
Martin the mushroom was born on the wrong rock. Martin overcomes enormous challenges to travel to a far away rock where he hopes to be accepted. This is a story about equality and putting aside our differences for the greater good.
This is a fantastic tale of the pure of heart overcoming bigotry. Anyone who’s experienced, sexism, racism, ageism, political or religious persecution will relate to this story. A character who’s passion is unlike the people who he grew up around, discovers a place he can be himself, but faces enormous obstacles to get there. Along the way he exposes the futility of the other character’s bigotry and bias and puts it all in perspective so that they can finally deal with the bigger issues in life.
1. First I want you to summarize the story. Pretend I have never watched the short film before and need to understand what is happening to understand your answers to the following questions.
2. How does the main character change or grow throughout the story?
3. What is the main conflict of the story? Is there only one main conflict or are there other minor conflicts?
4. Do you feel the conflict(s) could have been avoided? Why or why not?
5. What do you think is the main lesson(s) that the creators were trying to convey in their film?
6. How do we see the film’s ideas and/or lessons in the real world? Your answer should be similar to the “universal observation” that you included in your concluding paragraph for your Romeo and Juliet essays.
1. "The Wrong Rock" is a CGI animated short film that tells the story of Martin, a mushroom who feels like he doesn't belong on his current rock. Martin decides to embark on a journey to a faraway rock where he hopes to find acceptance. However, he faces numerous challenges along the way. The story explores themes of equality, acceptance, and the need to set aside differences for the greater good.
2. Throughout the story, the main character, Martin, undergoes a significant change and personal growth. Initially feeling out of place on his rock, he discovers his passion is different from those around him. As Martin journeys to find a place where he can be himself, he learns to overcome obstacles and face his fears. His determination and resilience lead him to realize the futility of bigotry and bias, ultimately transforming him into a character who promotes understanding and acceptance.
3. The main conflict of the story is Martin's struggle to find acceptance on a different rock. However, there are also minor conflicts such as the challenges he faces during his journey and the prejudice and bias he encounters from other characters.
4. The conflicts in the story could not have been avoided as they are essential in conveying the film's message. The creators intentionally introduce obstacles and conflicts to emphasize the importance of overcoming differences and promoting acceptance. Without these conflicts, the film's core themes would not have been effectively portrayed.
5. The main lesson the creators of "The Wrong Rock" aimed to convey is the necessity of equality and understanding. They highlight the destructive nature of prejudice and bigotry and advocate for acceptance and unity. The film emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity and putting aside our differences for the greater good of society. It encourages viewers to challenge their own biases and prejudices to create a more inclusive and harmonious world.
6. In the real world, the ideas and lessons portrayed in "The Wrong Rock" are applicable to various scenarios. We see examples of prejudice, discrimination, and bias in areas like race, gender, age, religion, and politics. The film reminds us that by overcoming these barriers and embracing differences, we can build a more inclusive and compassionate society. Just as Martin's journey teaches us, it is vital to confront and challenge our own biases to foster understanding and acceptance in our interactions with others. Ultimately, the film's universal observation is that unity and acceptance are powerful forces that can lead to positive change and a better world.