Nubbinwood

In the bustling world of cinema, where dreams often seem as elusive as a mirage in the desert, one filmmaker’s journey stands out like a beacon of hope. Tim Granberg, the filmmaker of “Nubbinwood,” shared his remarkable journey from a spark of an idea to the silver screen with me.

“It started out as a character for a live action or for an animated short that I had written,” Granberg reminisced, his eyes alight with passion. “And I needed… I created my own character, the star of a movie that I hope to make someday.”

The origins of “Nubbinwood” lay in Granberg’s unwavering determination to bring his vision to life. Despite initial doubts, he embarked on the arduous task of crafting a feature-length version of his beloved character. “The feature is really an extended version of the short that I had written,” he explained, “and when I had finished the feature, I sat there going, Great, I’ve got a feature script written.”

Granberg’s journey was not without its challenges. As he toiled away as an animator, he faced the daunting task of navigating an industry that often seemed impervious to outsiders. “Animation is so hard to make that usually the animated scripts that people make come from within a studio,” he mused.

What I found interesting was how Granberg reflected on his journey as an animator continuing this story and what he has discovered thus far.

“Interestingly enough, I like it because it’s only a character,” Granberg replied thoughtfully. “I think I really understand the character now more than I ever understood him… I think it’s kind of fun to go to festivals and introduce him to other people and have them like him as much as I kind of have grown to like him.”

Granberg’s journey took him to film festivals, where he shared his creation with eager audiences. But how did he choose which festivals to submit to? “I’ve gotten a lot more selective about it,” he confessed. “If I look at a film festival and it has a family program, I will enter it because it does very well with family programs… If I have a really good shot at it, I’ll enter it. If I don’t, I won’t put as much effort into it.”

For aspiring filmmakers, Granberg offered sage advice born from his own trials and triumphs. “If you want to get into animation, you have to sit down and start doing it,” he urged. “Eventually, you’ll get a skill… Every journey starts with a single step.”

As our conversation drew to a close, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by Granberg’s unwavering dedication to his craft. In a world where dreams often wither in the harsh business reality of our industry, his story serves as a reminder that with passion, perseverance, and a touch of magic, anything is possible.