Playing with Blocks

About This Movie

So, 'Playing with Blocks' is this intriguing student film from 1986 that came out of RISD. It’s animated, but not in the polished way you might expect. The atmosphere feels experimental, almost like a canvas of youthful creativity. The pacing is a bit erratic, but that’s part of its charm—there's this playful vibe that captures the essence of childhood imagination. The themes revolve around building and deconstruction, which is metaphorically rich. Practical effects add a rawness that you don’t often see in later animations. The performances, though limited, have a certain earnestness that makes it a distinct artifact of student filmmaking. You can feel the experimentation and the desire to push boundaries here.

Unique student animation projectExperimental aesthetics and themesRaw practical effects enhance creativity