Private Project

RIPTIDE

A young girl growing up in a sleepy beach town wants to fit in but is afraid of the ocean. She tries to overcome her fear but it forces her to go further than she ever thought possible.

  • Tony Wisneske
    Direction and Story
    Citrus Avenue
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 57 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 1, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    200 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • San Diego International Film Festival
    San Diego
    United States
    October 17, 2019
    World Premiere
    Best Animated Short
  • Los Angeles Animation Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    December 8, 2019
    Bronze Award for Design in Animation
Director Biography

Tony Wisneske was raised in the small quirky beach town of Encinitas, California. After studying character animation at Animation Mentor, he produced his first animated short film, Citrus Avenue in 2016. His latest animated short, Riptide, is based on his childhood fear of the ocean.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I grew up in a town that was obsessed with the ocean.

Most of my family either surfed, swam, or made their living on the water. But for me, I was always afraid of the sea and from a young age I've had recurring nightmares of it spitting me out or keeping me away with pulsing waves and clouds of anger.

To this day I'm still afraid of the ocean, so I wanted to make a short film to help me express this in a way that may inspire others to confront their own doubts or fears. I'm now currently learning how to swim.

-Tony