The Maze

Gabriel Pontore

Newtown, CT

BFA (3D Animation)

Advisor: Dennis Recchia

3D animation
3 min 58 sec

Labyrinth of Past Echoes is a 3D animation short that dives into the psyche of a retired army veteran grappling with the haunting echoes of war. In a moment of catharsis, he channels his inner turmoil by carving into a table, inadvertently propelling himself into a surreal daydream. Within this dreamlike state, our veteran awakens amidst the formidable walls of a colossal stone labyrinth. As he navigates through the maze, symbolic of the intricate challenges posed by his traumatic memories, he encounters not only physical obstacles but a profound psychological struggle. The labyrinth becomes a poignant metaphor for the intricate maze of the veteran's mind, mirroring the complex journey of healing and survival. Amidst towering walls, he discovers that he is not alone in this internal struggle, realizing that his daydream has transformed into a harrowing ordeal where he becomes both hunter and prey. Through a visually immersive experience, The Maze ventures beyond the surface narrative, inviting viewers to explore the profound depths of one man's journey through the labyrinth of his own memories, seeking solace, understanding, and ultimately, liberation.

Artist Bio

Gabriel Pontore is a 3D animation student in the Digital Media Design BFA program at the University of Connecticut. Driven by a childhood love for animated media, particularly movies, TV shows, and video games, he started out with game design during high school, discovering a profound enjoyment in developing everything from the models used to the code to make the game work. Transitioning to college, Gabriel refined his skills and expanded his creative horizons within the field of 3D animation that would be used in films and video games. With an adept command of diverse animation techniques, he now aspires to contribute his expertise to substantial projects, harboring ambitions of establishing his own animation studio in the future. He embodies a dedicated professional poised to make a significant impact at the nexus of technology and storytelling through the use of animation.

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