Look Up Melvin Founding Circle
Creating a children’s world that teaches us how to feel
What is the Founding Circle?
The Look Up Melvin Founding Circle is a small, intentional community helping bring a premium 2D-animated pilot to life - while shaping how it feels to make it. It's not simply funding. It is stewardship.
Over the course of two-years families, children and care givers are welcomed into the making of the ground-breaking animated short-film: Look Up Melvin. All participants are granted early access, behind-the-scenes learning, and gentle participation, without the pressure or performance. This experience has been designed mindfully, to keep the values of the project intact: care, dignity, craft, and emotional truth. The two year journey also includes plenty of time for celebrating production milestones, festival moments, and end-of-run recognition as the film travels into the world.
Together, we will build a children’s story-world where creativity, mindfulness, nature, and family connection help young people learn how to feel, name what’s happening inside, and return to themselves with courage.
What is Look Up Melvin?
Look Up Melvin shares the story of, 10-year-old Melvin, who in the wake of a devastating storm that floods her family’s beloved beachside studio, embarks on a heartfelt journey of healing and self-discovery with the support of her artistic family. She ultimately finds solace and courage to reconnect with her passion for painting - and the ocean - through the magic of gratitude and imagination.
Recognition & Celebration
Founding Families will be honored through, end credits acknowledgments, a dedicated Founding Circle page and invitations to premiere celebrations and award and festival moments.
Our goal is simple:
When the film enters the world,
you will feel that you helped keep the light on.
The Two Year Journey
The process of producing Look Up Melvin will feel like an experience in itself: a shared, family-friendly journey that invites wonder, introduces children to animation and storytelling, and connects us to nature and emotional resilience along the way.
Year One - Building the World
Creation · Play · Belonging
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First Light Welcome Gathering
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Meet the creative team and begin the journey together
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Melvin Mail (Monthly / Every 6 Weeks)
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Letters with artwork, studio moments, and Look Up prompts for home
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Quarterly Family Creative Labs
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Hands-on sessions exploring animation, nature, and storytelling through play
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Witness Screening #1
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Early storyboards/animatics with gentle reflection prompts
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Animation & Nature Discovery Day
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A guided family experience connecting nature to character and story
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Witness Screening #2
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Mid-process viewing with rough animation, voice, and music.
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Year Two - Bringing it to Life
Momentum · Community · Celebration
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Studio Day: How Animation Gets Made
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A behind-the-scenes look at the full creative pipeline
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Songs from the Sea (Sound & Music Night)
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Families create soundscapes and explore emotional storytelling through sound
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Festival & Film Circuit Moments
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Updates, reflections, and invitations to virtual festival check-ins as the film travels
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Community Screenings & Family Activations
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Optional gatherings with schools, libraries, and community partners
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Premiere Watch Party & Celebration
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A joyful honoring of everything we built together.
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Founding Circle Archive (Legacy Gift)
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Artwork, sketches, a making-of reel, and a letter of gratitude.
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How Membership Supports the Work
Contributions support artists, community care, infrastructure, learning, and long-term sustainability, ensuring ethical storytelling at every step. Select the role of your choice below to contact our membership team.
Our Shared Roles
Story Stewards
Help protect the heart of the project as it develops, ensuring the work stays honest, tender, and child-centered.
Care Partners
Support the people making the work—fair wages, healthy timelines, and the conditions for real artistry.
Institutional Partners
You support the people making the work—fair wages, healthy timelines, and the conditions for real artistry.
Witness Circle
You support the people making the work—fair wages, healthy timelines, and the conditions for real artistry.
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Access to core journey experiences plus:
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First Light Welcome: Meet the creative team and begin the journey
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Quarterly Family Creative Labs: Hands-on sessions introducing animation and nature themes.
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Witness Screening #2: Mid-process viewing to celebrate progress and share feedback.
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Animation & Nature Discovery Day, guided family activity connecting themes to character stories.
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Storyboard Play: Create a tiny story about bravery with family.
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Access to all Story Steward experiences plus:
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How Animation Gets Made - Studio Day
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Songs from the Sea (Sound + Music Night) exploring sound design and creating soundscapes at home
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Character Design Jam: Design a sea creature friend for Melvin’s world
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Painting Feelings Lab: Turn emotions into artistic expressions
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Community Screening(s) & Family Activation Gatherings to
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Invite to Premiere Watch Party and Founding Circle Celebration
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Access to all previous benefits in a customized, in-person format for your community plus:
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Festival & Film Circuit Moments: engage with updates and reflections as the film travels
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The Founding Circle Archive (Legacy Gift): Digital keepsake celebrating the journey and contributions.
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Access to all benefits across tiers in an immersive format, plus:
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Right of first refusal for future studio projects
We are excited to walk this journey with you—
where creativity, mindfulness, and emotional resilience come together
to build something meaningful for children and families.