Illuminating a small chapter of American history that is both heartbreaking and inspiring, the design and animation studio Ordinary Folk has released a compelling new passion project. Titled Distance, the short film assembles 900 hand-painted frames into a moving tribute to an unlikely historical hero, bridging the gap between historical narrative and contemporary artistic expression.
Based directly on an evocative episode of Nate DiMeo’s acclaimed narrative podcast The Memory Palace, the film recounts the lesser-known personal history of Samuel Finley Breese Morse. Long before he forever altered human connection with the invention of Morse code, Morse spent years striving as a painter. The project delves into his early artistic ambitions, his personal struggles, and the unexpected path that ultimately led him to revolutionize global communication. Rather than focusing solely on the technological milestone of the telegraph, Distance zooms in on the human elements of Morse’s life, exploring themes of longing, separation, and the emotional spaces between individuals.
The creative journey behind the film has been a long and deliberate labor of love. Reflecting on the evolution of the piece, the team at Ordinary Folk shared insight into its origins. "This project began as one of our earliest passion pieces in 2020," the studio stated. "It went through multiple visual explorations and experiments, guided by a long list of talented collaborators." Over the course of several years, the team refined the aesthetic vision, balancing raw artistic mediums with digital techniques to capture the historical weight and emotional resonance of DiMeo’s storytelling.
Visual Development and Artistic Process
The visual identity of Distance is anchored by a striking blend of traditional ink work, abstract compositions, and meticulous animation. Utilizing a restrained color palette dominated by rich blacks, deep grays, and stark whites, the filmmakers constructed a world that feels both archaic and timeless. The production utilized 900 hand-painted frames, giving the animation an organic, tactile quality that mirrors the historical era it depicts. This painterly approach serves as a direct nod to Morse’s original profession as a portrait and historical painter, seamlessly tying the medium of the short film to its subject matter.
Throughout the piece, minimalist geometric forms, abstract ink washes, and stylized illustrations are used to convey the emotional geography of distance. Sequences feature stark visual metaphors—such as stylized hands reaching across vast, empty spaces and delicate lines extending toward heavy rectangular borders—symbolizing the physical and emotional isolation that inspired Morse’s inventions. The incorporation of varied visual textures, from architectural floor plans to photo contact sheets and digital design software interfaces visible during the development phase, highlights the intricate layers of craftsmanship involved in bringing the historical narrative to life.
Production Credits and Collaborative Effort
Bringing Distance to the screen required the coordinated efforts of a multidisciplinary team spanning direction, visual development, storytelling, animation, and sound design. The production was spearheaded by Ordinary Folk, who handled both production and direction duties. Writer and executive producer Nate DiMeo provided the narrative foundation, adapting his podcast storytelling expertise to the visual medium.
The creative direction for the project was led by Jorge R. Canedo E. and Avikali Lomavatu, with Stefan Green and Mona Fani serving as producers. The extensive visual development team included Grace Pedersen, Avikali Lomavatu, Lorena G., Josh Edwards, Grace Choi, Gabriel Silveira, Haewon Shin, Mariia Khrystenko, and Sophia Spanos McGill. Storyboarding duties were managed by Avikali Lomavatu and Grace Pedersen.
The animation team brought the 900 hand-painted frames to life through the collective talents of Greg Stewart, Manuel Neto, Ricardo Drehmer, Victor Silva, and Jorge R. Canedo E. Avikali Lomavatu also contributed as the principal painter for the project. Compositing was executed by Jorge R. Canedo E. and Victor Silva, ensuring a cohesive and polished final look. The atmospheric audio landscape, crucial for establishing the emotional tone of the historical narrative, was crafted by composer and sound designer Ambrose Yu, with special thanks extended to Jay Preston.
Through its careful pacing, striking imagery, and deeply personal retelling of a familiar historical figure’s origins, Distance stands as a testament to the power of independent animation and collaborative storytelling, honoring both the artistic roots of Samuel Morse and the enduring resonance of Nate DiMeo’s historical archives.
