Lifted: An Interview with Daniel Robichaud

Tell us about ‘Lifted’. How do you describe it?

Completed in January 2025, Lifted is a story of awakening and transformation, following one man's fantastical journey aboard an elevator. This independently produced film embodies themes of hope and growth, promoting positive values through its narrative.

Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.

I am a huge fan of stop motion animation! I admire the Lauenstein brothers for their 1989 surrealist masterpiece Balance, as well as Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline) and Nick Park (Chicken Run, Wallace & Gromit).  

If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?

I wrote the screenplay for a feature-length animated film titled Frog Legs, a comedic adventure about an insecure amphibian and his band of pond companions. With the right financial backing, I could bring this project to life.

Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?

The key to keeping any production on schedule (and within budget) is thorough planning and pre-production. I prefer working with smaller, streamlined teams and maintaining a simple, straightforward technical pipeline to ensure efficiency.

What was the hardest part of making ‘Lifted’.

The hardest part of creating Lifted was doing it entirely on my own—without the assistance of a team of animators or the luxury of abundant computing resources. On the other hand, animating every single shot myself ensured a consistent style throughout the film.

If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?

I’m currently working on my new animated short, Reflection, which tells the story of a man who discovers everything missing in his life within the world beyond his standing mirror.