Almost

Über Content Director Dave Laden Stiff Arms Love in “Almost”

Hollywood, CA – August 8, 2008 – In Dave Laden’s animated short “Almost” we’re shown a window into the life of a lonely young girl struggling with her repetitive, isolated existence. However, when injected with Laden’s trademark sense of humor the journey we follow her through is light hearted and funny. Laden wrote and directed “Almost” as well as contributed to the animation.

We open with our heroine going through her usual mundane day, except there is something extraordinary about her. She has strange arms that stick straight in front of her, and she can’t seem to find love. But you know the old saying, there’s a lid for every pot. She robotically wanders through her repetitive days: waking up, showering, going to work, watching the clock, and going on a string of dates with Mr. Wrong’s. It’s a story about being single and feeling isolated from others. Everyone has something they are self-conscious of, which can make dating and social interaction difficult, and this young girl has the obvious – and humorous - affliction of straight arms. The winds of change come for her one day when she’s out for a stroll, looking for love with open eyes and sees someone just like her: someone who also has straight arms but who is also seemingly open and looking for love. They find each other and embrace. However, in their mind numbing state of euphoria they’re blind to the quickly approaching impending doom.

The ending can be taken several ways. Some interpret it as a metaphor for relationships, and the sense that no matter how compatible and happy two people may seem, there is always the possibility it may end. Others view them as star-crossed lovers, destined to be together but separated by forces beyond their control. Whichever way you interpret “Almost” one consensus remains the same, Dave Laden’s knack for humor will continue to entertain and we’re sure to see great things from this emerging talent.

Laden, an ex-creative director from Goodby Silverstein + Partners joined Über Content in late 2007, joining a diverse roster of talent, including: Jordan Brady, Todd Field, Jeffrey Fleisig, Gentlemen, Stewart Hendler, Jason Kohn and Marc Schölermann.

For media-related inquiries, please contact Preston Lee at 323-860-8686.