Evan Viera

Evan Viera

American director, animator, artist and composer
Country: USA

Biography of Evan Viera

Evan Viera is an American director, animator, artist, and composer who is currently rising as a star in the independent animation film industry. Little is known about Evan's early life, except that he had a passion for animation since childhood. As soon as he learned the secrets of creating "moving pictures," he began making his own films. However, due to the labor-intensive process of hand-drawing each scene, full-length films were not feasible for him. Instead, Viera started creating short films, which became his preferred genre.

Evan Viera

During high school, Evan and his friends dedicated themselves to filmmaking. He often took on the roles of screenwriter and composer, as he had been learning to play the piano from a young age and had the ability to create film soundtracks using a synthesizer and special software. It was at Hampshire College where his talent as a composer truly flourished. Viera contributed to the musical accompaniment of his classmates' and friends' works. In 2005, he worked on the soundtrack for the film "Shift," and in 2006, he composed for the films "Catch" and "The Nightingale Princess," both directed by his close friends.

In 2007, Evan Viera released his first independent film, "Sycamore Eve." The six-minute film, which was actually part of his college thesis, gained popularity among students and professors. The film's unique style and thought-provoking concept, although unrelated to reality, deeply resonated with viewers and made them reflect on their own lives. "Sycamore Eve" is now available online for anyone to watch. While the film was an official selection at various festivals such as the "Secret City Film Festival," "Animatu Animation Festival," and "New England Film & Video Festival," it was his second film, "Caldera," that truly achieved great success when it was presented to the public in 2012.

"Caldera" received numerous accolades during its first year, being officially selected by juries 53 times and winning ten awards at different festivals. Interestingly, the awards were not only for animation but also for the best musical score and best independent short film. The creation of "Caldera" was also notable, as Evan Viera co-wrote the script and major scenes with his collaborator from his first work, Chris Bishop. The filming took place at Hampshire College, involving not only students but also professors. Over 30 people contributed to the making of the ten-minute film, each adding their own interpretation and changes to the story. As Viera described it, the final work was a collective effort, which gave the film a special charm.

Interestingly, Evan Viera once again placed his young protagonist in a fantastical world where the laws of physics take a backseat to human imagination and boundless fantasy. For Viera, this short film, titled "Caldera," is not just a tribute to his father, who struggled with schizophrenia, but also to all brilliant minds who navigate the depths of their own psyche. He said, "He danced on the rings of Saturn, talked with angels, and hid from his demons. He lived in his own fantastic life, which goes unnoticed by most of us. 'Caldera' is not only a tribute to my father but also to all those brilliant minds tangled within their own minds."

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