Dial Tone
Animation / 2024
In 2022, Dena and I started an ambitious intern project at Hobbes. What began as a wild idea grew into something much larger, ultimately becoming the first Hobbes animated short in 2024.
Dial Tone centers around a video call between friends, set in a retro-futuristic society where the very technology meant to make life convenient actually makes it much more convoluted.
This short wins a Gold Medal in Society of Illustrators 67.
Inspired by the analog technology of the ’80s and years prior, the piece illustrates what a video call might look like using CRT monitors, rotary dials, and spiral phone cords.
The world today isn’t quite as people in the ’80s imagined. Yet, we were fascinated by their retro-futuristic visions of the future. This piece draws from that era’s aesthetics—reflected in the settings, character hairstyles, and clothing.
Designing the world inside the CRT monitors was one of our biggest challenges. We referenced old monitors, TV operators, and their buttons and cords to create a striking contrast between the inner workings of the machine and the sleek technology outside.
Uniforms? Check.
Boots? Check.
Professionalism? Questionable.
The minions might dress the part, but the moment one gets tangled in the cords, all sense of order goes out the window.
When I left Hobbes, most of the style frames were complete, but animation hadn’t even started. I thought this project might never see the light of day and would remain just a collection of beautiful frames.
But in 2024, Hobbes reached out and invited me to animate a shot as they worked toward finishing the piece. Seeing the final result was an incredible moment! I’m so grateful to everyone who contributed over the past two years—and, of course, to Hobbes for bringing it to life.
Credits
Illustration
Yiting Nan
Dena Springer
Dan Stack
Kikko Paradela
Josh Krauth-Harding
Jaedoo Lee
Animation
Rachel Reid
Dan Stack
Tucker Klein
Adam Henderson
Evan Kempinski
Alex Delker
Yiting Nan
Dena Springer
Direction
Dan Stack
Eddy Nieto
Production
Tess Harris
Nevin McRay
Music & Sound
Cody Uhler
Ross Wariner
(Upright T-rex)
Special Thanks
Ian Sigmon
Zack Lovatt
Taylor Peters