GameStop is a well-known video game retailer whose stocks were on the rocks due to wealthy hedge funds investors who bought and sold their stock short for quick-time profits on the stock market. Then a brilliant plan was formed on a subforum of reddit.com by amateur investors: They would pool their money together, hold on to GameStop stock, and driving up the stock price (creating what is known as a “short squeeze”).
The 16-bit-inspired animations are spread throughout the film to add a new dimension to the documentary, bridging the gaps between interviews and archival clips. Under the direction of Jonah Tulis, the pixel illustrations were created to depict real-life key players involved in the market phenomenon and actual places where the events occurred.
Character Design
We wanted to make sure that the visual style fit well within the documentary’s framework, while also catching the viewer’s eye and keeping them focused on narrative. We accomplished this by creating fluid animations with colour schemes that mirrored the tone and pace of each scene.
If you’re interested in seeing the documentary in full find it now via most streaming services.
Illustration process
Production: BOL
Direction: All in Pixel
Executive Producer: Marcello Buselli
Producer: Ariadna Pons
Art Director: Raül Peix
Character Illustration: Toni Sala
Animation: Luke Etcheverry, Laro Saiz, Toni Sala
Compositing: Raül Peix
