Propolis, part 1

WORK IN PROGRESS

Propolis: A bee sting leads to an hallucinogenic journey through the insect uprising to rid the world of humans who are poisoning the world.

Episode 1: Meet the family - Liz, Beaux, Mom and Dad, as they discover the insect uprising. Liz must face her fears and accept a call to action. She hates humans, so who will she help?

Propolis, Part 7 (not this episode) premiered at Slamdance, 2019.

  • Pat Beckmann Wells
    Director
    Family Tale; Brand New Day; Propolis part 7;
  • Pat Beckmann Wells
    Writer
    Family Tale; Brand New Day; Propolis part 7;
  • Pat Beckmann Wells
    Producer
    Family Tale; Brand New Day; Propolis part 7;
  • Pat Beckmann Wells
    Key Cast
    "Mom. Liz (older)"
    Family Tale; Brand New Day; Propolis part 7;
  • Scott Wells
    Key Cast
    "Dad"
    Propolis, part 7
  • Peter Wells
    Key Cast
    "Young Beaux"
    Family Tale
  • Josephine Cronin
    Key Cast
    "mean girl"
  • Stella Cronin
    Key Cast
    "Young Liz"
  • Marquis McGee
    Music
    Propolis part 7;
  • Bob Cronin (DJBC)
    Music
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Short, Television, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, Horror, fantasy, comedy
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes 15 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 1, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    100 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Pat Beckmann Wells

Patricia Beckmann Wells creates film and emerging technology entertainment from her studios overlooking the Angeles Forest. Her film ‘Family Tale’, an animated documentary about the creation of her family, toured with Lunafest (sponsored by Cliff Bars) and helped raise almost 2 million dollars for Breast Cancer. Her Music Video with punk ska band Big D and the Kid’s Table, ‘Brand New Day’, explored the fractal expansion of family, and toured internationally. Her book “Face It: A Visual Reference for Mutli-ethnic Facial Modeling” provides forensic evidence to inform the discussion of regional identity in character design. She has spoken at Pixar on the topic of this book. Patricia has worked on feature films, games, and emerging technology projects as both an artist and executive. Her current series 'Propolis' focuses on characters reflecting the current environmental apocalypse.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

DIRECTORS VISION FOR FILM: The Creek fire destroyed my neighborhood in the Angeles Forest. I watched neighbors escape from burning homes. The roads were blocked by flames. My hands are burned and scarred. We kept our son unaware in the house while we fought with shovels and a hose. The firemen were unable to get to us until three hours after our neighborhood was consumed and then forced us to evacuate. I had to say goodbye to the bees I raised. I figured they would swarm. I came back a week later to see that my bees and hive survived. They were likely the only hive for 17 miles, and they would be the team to help repopulate the Forest. They are superheroes.
WHY THE PROJECT IS IMPORTANT: Propolis is inspired by these bees, and what they mean for the future of earth. I have been raising Bees for three years now as a personal revolt against an administration that does not engage with environmental policy. I feared them at first, but now I can approach a hive without a bee suit. I have taken many classes in Bee behavior and Beekeeping, and have learned they function much like the human brain. This observation now extends to other areas of nature as well. This point of view came to me through this process that I can share best through the graphic symbolism of animation and method writing.