United States of America 2022
Duration: 02:53
Directed by: August Park, Lydia Estepp
Screenplay: August Park, Lydia Estepp
Animation: August Park, Lydia Estepp
Technique: August Park, Lydia Estepp
Music: Amanda Duran
Production/School: Ringling College of Art & Design
Dialogue language: English
Subtitles language: English

A mom settles in to watch TV after her kids go to bed. She turns on the TV and sees that a cartoon show has been left on. The characters ask if she’s ready for some fun, but appear concerned when she responds pessimistically. The cartoon characters suck her into the television telling her “Let’s turn that frown upside down!” The mom is transported into the cartoon world where the characters cheerily welcome her. She freaks out and asks to be sent back. Rocky, the raccoon character, tells her they’re going to talk to the Pancake Wizard on Pancake Plateau to ask him to transport her home. They travel through the Fun-time Forest while singing the highly annoying theme song of the show. The mom asks if they have to sing, and they respond by playing kazoos instead which is worse. They finally arrive at the top of Pancake Plateau, only for the mom to discover that the Pancake Wizard is just Rocky and Cappy in a costume. She snaps and yells at them “Adults don’t have time for stupid adventures!” This causes Rocky to have a heart attack and fall over unconscious. The mom attempts to resuscitate Rocky, but then is told that the only way for her to save his life is by singing. She reluctantly sings her own version of the theme song, which brings Rocky back to life. The cartoon characters celebrate the mom learning how to have fun. They give her a chunk from the pancake plateau as a parting gift and she’s transported home. The chunk of pancake has miraculously turned into a platter of delicious pancakes, which she shares with her children.

---