Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
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WINTER 2022 17 emotion. You can remember how you felt when you heard them. [They] became tentpoles in the storytelling," he says. With these tentpoles as a guide, the filmmakers explored the verisimilitude necessary "to make sure that the small things add up to the big things. I think that's where authenticity really exists," says Williams. They studied films like When Harry Met Sally. "The big thing is that these two best friends are falling in love," Williams says. "The small things are how they're doing it, and that makes the story feel authentic. It's the small things about When Harry Met Sally that make us realize how great of a love story it is for the time in which it existed." Entergalactic is also inspired by Kid Cudi's time spent living in TriBeCa, and the team was intentional in capturing real locations, from street corners to bars. They would also discuss the tiniest details, down to what would happen if Jabari wore glasses or if he didn't. "Those small choices started to make a brand-new character," says Williams, adding, "It was even more important for Meadow because of the vastness of the beauty of, not just women in general, but Black women. There are various ways in which they can come across onscreen." They discussed everything from how she wore her hair to sleep to how she wore her hair on special occasions. "Her look started to define the character and the character defined the look," he adds. While a great many of the movie's details are specific to Black culture, and "that authenticity will obviously have markers and things that ring true to certain people more than others, that's not the point," Williams says. "The point is that it rings true on a human level." — Kim Fay this page: Moules saturated real locations in New York City with rich colors and effects that give scenes the look of animated paintings. opposite: Unique in its visual style, Entergalactic relishes its rom-com influences, from larger-than-life magical moments to unforgettable best friends. "The big thing is that these two best friends are falling in love. The small things are how they're doing it, and that makes the story feel authentic." – Maurice Williams S T O R Y & V I S I O N