Baby shark in Greenpeace film is distraught by overfishing

The sea is a scary, dark place far away from the safety of the woodlands, often filled with creatures that carry very sharp teeth or look like hypnotising jelly-like blobs but are said to be deadly. Ad Nut may simply peer at the beach from the top of a coconut pine, and Ad Nut is very pleased with this arrangement without ever having to touch the sea, thanks very much.

Regardless of Ad Nut’s terror of the deep, dark throes of the waters, Ad Nut is a huge proponent of preserving marine life from the dangers of overfishing. Just like hunting for engendered species in the woodlands is well regulated (whether it’s well enforced is a story for another day), Ad Nut is baffled that humans don’t regulate the sea in the same way. Particularly when various species of sharks—some endangered—are often inadvertently caught in lines.

Greenpeace Australia’s new animated film is a powerful reminder of the devastating effects of long line fishing on the marine ecosystem, particularly its threat to blue sharks, the most common victims of bycatch off Australia’s coastline. The film uses a simple narration and illustrative style to convey how sharks get caught in the process.

The film was produced by Photoplay’s director and animator Dropbear (aka Jonathan Chong) who worked alongside illustrator and character designer Andrea Innocent to create a storytelling arc told by a baby blue shark. Ad Nut has observed that anthropomorphised animals seem to captivate humans in a particularly effective way, so kudos to the duo.

The animation combines hand-drawn characters with a textured digital collage of ink processes, riso printing, and found imagery. As the narrative escalates, so does the visual intensity to reflect the brutal nature of long line fishing. Ad Nut was struck by how effective the simple visuals were in depicting the innocence of the baby shark character, especially when coupled with the lilting score—by Jackson Milas of Sonar Music.

“I wanted the characters, especially our hero shark, to feel like part of the natural world,” said Dropbear. “Andrea’s designs—delicate, expressive, and influenced by Japanese kawaii culture—were perfect to convey that vulnerability. Against the harsh photo-collage boats and jagged ink-based environments, the story of innocence meeting destruction became even more powerful.”

Those who wish to help turning Greenpeace’s Global Ocean Treaty into law are encouraged to sign the petition here.

CREDITS

Client: Greenpeace
Production Company: Photoplay
Director: Dropbear
EP / Producer: Oliver Lawrance
Lead Animator & Designer: Dropbear
Character Design: Andrea Innocent
Sound and Music: Sonar Music
Composer: Jackson Milas
Sound Designer: Josh Pearson
Sound Producer: Haylee Poppi
Sound EP: Sophie Haydon
Voiceover: Kate Beahan
PR/Media: Larissa Meikle

Ad Nut is a surprisingly literate woodland creature that for unknown reasons has an unhealthy obsession with advertising. Ad Nut gathers ads from all over Asia and the world for your viewing pleasure, because Ad Nut loves you. You can also check out Ad Nut's Advertising Hall of Fame, or read about Ad Nut's strange obsession with 'murderous beasts'.