Tim Minchin’s Storm – an interview with producer Tracy King

Tim Minchin’s Storm – an interview with producer Tracy King

08 April, 2011
by: Hailey Settineri

Producer Tracy King speaks with Hailey Settineri about transforming the famed nine-minute beat poem into a short film.

Tim Minchin is as much famed for rationalist views and anti-thiest lyrics as he is for musical prowess and wordplay, so his popularity amongst sceptics should come as no surprise. The Australian comedian is often listed alongside the likes of Richard Dawkins and James Randi in lists of influential sceptics (there’s even a Top Trumps card dedicated to him) because of his entertaining and enlightening rants.

The work most frequently cited by his rationalist fan base is 'Storm', a nine-minute beat poem that discusses science and spirituality through the entertaining premise of an argument at a dinner party. Now, thanks to a small team of hard-working animators, fans can now enjoy 'Storm' in a new guise, as the official animated movie of the same name has been released on YouTube.

Producer Tracy King and director/animator Dan C Turner first came up with the idea of turning Minchin’s poem into an animation in 2008.

“We saw Tim perform Storm a few years back when it was brand new,” explains Tracy, “and it was the best expression of more or less everything we think, from a sceptical perspective, that we'd ever seen. It seemed obvious that it should be an animation. It was simply a case of persuading Tim (who at the time we'd never met), to let us have his poem, which we did a few days later. Fortunately he said yes!”

Entirely hand-drawn, the film’s visuals were inspired by the art of the beat movement and classic animators such as Chuck Jones. Initially, Dan was the sole animator, working on 'Storm' in his spare time. But as it grew in scope, additional team members were brought in and it became a full-time project.

“One of the weirdest and most unexpected hurdles was 'Storm' suddenly being much bigger than we planned,” said Tracy. “What started as a little side project suddenly became this enormous anticipated thing. That meant upping the ante in terms of production. From a simple three-person project we went to a team of ten, with all of the complexity that goes with a project that size.”

Despite the additional pressure of a shoe-string budget, 'Storm' was completed in time for a sell-out premiere at Animated Encounters in November 2010, and was even longlisted for a BAFTA. However Tracy says the short film was always intended to be released on YouTube.

“I do a lot of pro bono work to promote pro-science or critical thinking, and 'Storm' was always part of that philosophy. It needs to be somewhere where anyone can access it, free of charge, with the objective of getting as many people to see it as possible.”

King has a lengthy background in pro-science communications – she worked on the viral video hit 'The Colour-Changing Card Trick' with Richard Wiseman (now considered the biggest science communication video in history, having been seen by some 85 million people online and on TV) and has worked with the James Randi Educational Foundation – so it’s unsurprising that she's so passionate about 'Storm'.

“The bit in the film that gives me goosebumps every time is when it transitions to Tim and Storm standing on the hill, hair blowing in the wind. It's a really touching moment where Tim changes his approach to Storm, bringing her into his ideal rather than forcing her to observe it. I think that's a lovely visual expression of what can be a turning point in a debate in real life. I'm not saying that in Storm's case it worked though!”

As Minchin already has a strong audience of rationalists, does 'Storm' risk preaching to the converted? “Hopefully those of a rationalist mindset will appreciate the film as an animated version of something they agree with, and those new to it may be inspired to seek out more information on some of the themes in the film. Or they may just like it as art. We have already had emails from lecturers asking to show it to students though, so hopefully it'll have wider appeal than just the choir.”

“The great thing about just putting it out on YouTube for free is that anyone, anywhere in the world, can watch it. We don't yet know how the atheistic themes in 'Storm' will go down with a general USA audience, for example, but what's strong about the animation is the performance and the visuals, whether you agree with the themes or not. Hopefully even those who disagree with it can still find something to enjoy.”


Watch 'Storm' below or visit www.stormmovie.net



Tim Minchin is performing at Royal Albert Hall April 28-29. Click here for details.

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Hailey Settineri