Mystery of the Secret Room
This animated short introduces us to Grace, a 10-year-old girl who uses her creative superpowers to navigate the emotional landscape of her mother's depression. It's an inspiring portrait of family, adversity, and resilience. Using hand-drawn animation to bring two distinct worlds together – the muted, solid world of reality and the saturated palette of Grace's imagination – the film offers a textured story full of surprises, challenges, and emotions. A moving collaboration between writer/filmmaker Wanda Nolan and animator Claire Blanchet.
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This animated short introduces us to Grace, a 10-year-old girl who uses her creative superpowers to navigate the emotional landscape of her mother's depression. It's an inspiring portrait of family, adversity, and resilience.
Using hand-drawn animation to bring two distinct worlds together – the muted, solid world of reality and the saturated palette of Grace's imagination – the film offers a textured story full of surprises, challenges, and emotions. A moving collaboration between writer/filmmaker Wanda Nolan and animator Claire Blanchet.
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writerWanda Nolan
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directorWanda Nolan
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art directorClaire Blanchet
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animation supervisorClaire Blanchet
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animationHyun Jin ParkClaire BlanchetSimon CotteeMalcolm Sutherland
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compositingFred Casia
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original musicJeff Johnston
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sound designKyle Stanfield
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violinKate Bevan-Baker
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clarinetLouise Campbell
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pianoJeff Johnston
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foleyLise Wedlock
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foley recordingGeoffrey Mitchell
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music recordingGeoffrey Mitchell
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technical directorÉloi Champagne
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technical animation coordinatorRandall Finnerty
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still photographyVictoria WellsCarol Kean
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titlesMélanie Bouchard
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online editorSerge Verreault
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re-recordingJean Paul Vialard
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post-production supervisorJean-François LapriseRoslyn Power
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post-production assistantMylène Augustin
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senior production coordinatorKelly Davis
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studio administratorLeslie Anne Poyntz
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marketing managerMelissa Wheeler
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legal counselDominique Aubry
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associate producerJon Montes
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producerAnnette Clarke
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executive producerAnnette Clarke
This animated short without words explores 10-year-old Grace’s experiences with her mom’s depression. Use as an introduction to the process of providing mental health support. Why is there no dialogue in this short? What do you think the animals and imaginary world represent for Grace? Books and films can often serve as a means of supporting our mental health in difficult times. As a class, brainstorm ways you can support yourself during a difficult or lonely time.