LOG LINE

The Whistler is about a girl who can’t whistle, so she must discover her own beautiful sound.

SYNOPSIS

The Whistler is about a little girl named Arlo whose whistling skills don’t exactly measure up to her friend Quinn’s. When Arlo tries to whistle, nothing comes out except a pathetic raspberry sound. No matter how much she tries she can’t make a musical sound. Disappointed in herself, Arlo cries a river of tears that end up in a pool at her feet. Her tears make the most magnificent noise as they “sploot” into the puddle. Arlo is inspired by the sound and delighted to discover that she is able to recreate it perfectly. She hears a thin musical howling in the wind and follows it into a forest. Arlo is teased and taunted by birds who mock her whistling attempts, pulling at her her hair and plucking at the strands as if they are violin strings. In frustration, she rushes further into the dark forest and is lost amongst the rattling branches and spooky sounds. Finally she reaches a peaceful grove and the wind dies away. All that is left is silence and stillness. She breathes a sigh and emerges from the woods. She begins to discover other sounds: A small garden of spinning and fluttering pinwheels; twinkling wind chimes and flapping, flickering kite streamers. Finally she discovers the source of the strange sound in the wind. Three glass bottles sit in a sand dune. As the wind blows across them, they sing a melancholy harmony. Arlo is enchanted. She gathers the wind instruments all around her and begins to play a tune. Soon she is joined by Quinn and the birds, and they make beautiful music together.

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

As the story of the The Whistler evolved, I realised that it was an autobiographical story, and also one that explores universal themes. It’s a simple tale we all recognise of trying to fit in, of measuring ourselves against others and of striving to succeed in areas where we never feel quite comfortable. It’s a story of our own demons and inner critics, whose voices are sometimes so loud we find ourselves paralysed. 

Arlo begins her story feeling miserable in her inability to match what Quinn effortlessly creates. The whistle is all she wants to do. As she attempts and fails, she is wracked with envy and self loathing. She cries a pool of tears. She is taunted and teased by birds who embody her feelings of inadequacy. However, her need for self-expression pushes her onwards through these dark thoughts, and as she journeys across hills, through a forest, and eventually down to the dunes, she discovers her own voice, her own confidence and her own unique way of expressing herself. The wind and her breath guide her and eventually she returns to match Quinn in her own way. Together, through tenacity, experimentation, vulnerability and courage, they create a beautiful and entirely unique piece of music.

I have come to stop-motion animation after years of illustration, writing, character creation and many other forms of creative story telling. I love the creative process but have never quite found my place. I have never found my own unique piece of music. I am so excited to be experimenting in this new-to-me area, where all my creative loves seem to converge.