Synopsis

Presto Agitato – Named after the term meaning "very fast," this animation follows insects hurriedly fleeing and disappearing across a musical score. It tragically portrays the cause of the mass extinction of insects and the resulting destruction of the ecosystem, unfolding alongside the grand and dramatic music of Beethoven. The rapidly changing nature and the tragic fate of disappearing life forms are vividly and powerfully depicted.A standout technical feature of this work is the implementation of visuals resembling clay animation and motion akin to stop-motion animation, achieved through 3D animation. To accomplish this, the latest version of Blender (4.3) was quickly mastered, and Grease Pencil tool was utilized to create materials with a unique shader that mimics the appearance of clay.Additionally, the insect designs were inspired by the shapes of musical notes on actual sheet music. This approach resulted in diverse and vibrant character designs. The music was then rearranged, considering the appearance and physical characteristics of each insect, ensuring harmony between their design and movements.

Director's Comment

Presto Agitato is a work that depicts the rapid collapse of the ecosystem, starting with the mass extinction of insects. Human-driven environmental destruction disrupts the balance of nature, triggering a chain of extinction events that accelerate the mass extinction of species. As insects disappear, their primary food source, birds, also begin to go extinct, further exacerbating the collapse of the ecosystem. The grandiose music of Beethoven and the vivid visual direction sharply accentuate this tragic development. The rapid changes in nature and the ensuing disasters serve as a warning, urging the audience to deeply reflect on the seriousness and speed of the environmental crisis. This is the central intent of the work.

Staff

Program Note

Extinction isn’t a tragedy that happens in the far future only to certain species. Like the bugs flying across the musical score which suddenly disappear, the environmental devastation brought on by human greed breaks the rhythm of all living things on Earth. Like it says in the title “Until We All Vanished,” this work uses the urgent speed of “Presto Agitato” to warn us about the brutal but certain reality that is approaching.

KIM Changsoo