"ITHACA SHORES" Robot pilot navigates his inner monsters. Music by Jay. Animation by Patrick Smith.

A musical story featuring sea monsters, robots, and a tiny controller person being pursued by mysterious horned leviathans. Through a sudden and disastrous crash into the ceiling of the sky, he emerges from his imaginary island contraption, clamoring though a shattered hole, and sees the world in a new way, void of the creatures that haunted him. Music by Jay, from the album Concentric for more go to www.jayandmusic.com.

Directors note: In this animation I re-introduced an iconic character I first created for my film "Masks", I see this little pale pulp-like character as a visceral representation of our inner fragility, innocence, and honesty that is slowly buried into our inner core as we proceed through our mature lives. This character is a good storytelling tool as I attempt to illustrate the visual interpretations of our learning, struggles, and suffering.. and sometimes joyful victory over personal strife and confusion. The robot, conversely, is a symbol of lifelessness, of dry utility.. a vehicle. I believe this was the first time I included any type of a non-organic character. I hope you like the film. I can't thank Jay enough for giving me the opportunity to draw this piece, guided by his emotionally charged track of music.

Lyrics:

Ithaca Shores
You think of things that you just don't understand;
You try to grasp but they just fall through like sand.
The bones that built ya feel like they might go
Just pull on the rudder, put to rest your weary load.
You fight the fear, you plow through waves in rows,
You tug your ear as you're looking down below.
The fish swim circles through your outstretched hand
Your eyes feel heavy as you start to dream of land
Oh as you sail out in the snow
The wind is singing low
The tune that you might hum forever
Oh but the cold is creeping slow
And slow it takes a hold
Of your aching heart
You breathe in deep and open up your eyes
The water's peaceful as it just keeps slipping by
You wonder how much time is left to go
The stars on the horizon tell you friend, we'll never know
You hear what must be sirens singing out
The heart is willing but your head is full of doubt.
You drop your anchor and start to dip your toes
The chills might tingle but at least you're not alone.
Oh, but there's still so much to see
You dream of being free
As lovely hands sink you down forever
Oh, as you reach out in the dark
Your fingers find the mark