Private Project

Out Of Hand

Joe lives in a world ruled by a controlling giant hand that behaves like an overbearing parent.

Every day, the hand puts him through the mundane cycle of waking up, getting dressed, eating and going to work where he works as a box maker.

Eventually, he gets sick and tired of the structure and cycle, causing him to find an outlet to express his creativity.

The aim of the film is to explore the balancing act required in life between creativity and structure.

contact: lizteo@outlook.com

  • Elizabeth Teo
    Director
  • Niharika Karanam
    Producer
  • Tidaporn Wattanarungsrikajorn (First)
    Producer
  • Elizabeth Teo
    Editor
  • Niharika Karanam
    Editor
  • Elizabeth Teo
    Writer
  • Osho Jain
    Sound Design
  • Naval Chikhliya
    Music Production
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Adventure, Fantasy
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 1, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Singapore
  • Country of Filming:
    Singapore
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Jing Shan Classic, Cultural and Arts Awards
    Taipei
    Taiwan
    October 1, 2020
    Taiwan
    Finalist
  • 5th Chaniartoon 2020
    Chania
    Greece
    September 11, 2020
    Greece
    Official Selection
  • FICMA MX
    Barcelona
    Spain
    September 6, 2020
    Spain
    Official Selection
  • spudFILM: CLEANSE
    Sway
    United Kingdom
    September 26, 2020
    UK
    Official Selection
  • Linea d'Ombra Festival-VedoAnimato Contest
    Salerno
    Italy
    October 24, 2020
    Italy
    Official Selection
  • Mobile International Film Festival Mobile International Film Festival
    Bitola
    Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
    November 30, 2020
    Macedonia
    Official Selection
  • 21st Video Public Forum Online (第21回映像公開フォーラムオンライン)
    Artpolis, Osaka
    Japan
    November 14, 2020
    Japan
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Elizabeth Teo

Today’s society places precedence on hardwork and oftentimes forgets that while it will get you places, it can also be the result of undesirable (and perhaps, frequent) burn outs. It is always important to strike a balance between things and give yourself time-off to recharge and do the things you enjoy. ‘Out Of Hand’ explores this observation through the life of “Joe”, a toy whose life is controlled by a mysterious giant hand. Joe, our “Average Joe”, represents the part of us that craves creative freedom, while the giant hand represents the counterpart to us as well as society who respects only practicality and hardwork.

This relationship dynamic depicts the opposite ends of this spectrum and shows us the value in both. The concept draws inspiration not only from the people around us who are the embodiment of “working hard 24/7”, but also from the German phrase "Arbeit macht frei", a phrase meaning “work will set you free” that was used on the gates of a concentration camp in Auschwitz during the Second World War.

This idea of a concentration camp was the inspiration for developing the story plot, the oppressive environment, and character designs, which served to emphasize the human’s conformance to societal expectations.

Add Director Biography