This animated adaptation of Flightless was created by third year animation students at Villa Maria College in Buffalo, NY, summer 2023.

Narrated by Keith Gallucci

Directed, written and produced by Jordan Bianchi

Animated by Erin Hill and Joshua Quinones

Music composed and performed by Eddie Irvin

Animation Internship created by Jordan Bianchi

Story edited by Amanda Bintz

Special thanks to Judy Piskun, Joshua Muntain, and Villa Maria College for supporting this animation internship.

Flightless on the Way to the North

by Jordan Bianchi

As a kit I’d always dreamt 

Of chasing northern skies;

To sail beneath the arcs of light, 

That sway and mesmerize. 

These dreams of light, they beaconed hope,

That greatness was for me. 

They kept me fierce and full and free, 

That nothing could not be. 

I sew my sails, kiss kin goodbye,

and leave the land I know.

The stars, they guide me northern-bound,

and encourage me ever so.

As aurora skies are within my reach, 

Storm clouds overtake my sight. 

A rush of wind, cascades of snow— 

My sails they rip, I fall below.  

Alone, and saddened, on an icy shore,

Ashamed and full of woe. 

Reckless I had flown, and failed 

To see cosmic threads sew curtains aglow. 

But the villagers of this northern isle, 

They listen to my heart’s defeat. 

Their pelts all white, their manners sweet;

They take me in and bake warm treats.

Although the sun here does not rise,

The villagers don’t strain their eyes 

by candlelight or lighthouses bright.

They make their own joy and dance all night.  

Perhaps this land will be my home 

In a burrow under mounds of snow. 

But can I simply, permanently, 

forget my dreams to soar?

When the wind stirs, crisp and cool, 

Creases in it speak.

It beckons me to take the chance, 

to stretch my wings and leap.

The lights beyond that summon still 

Are not just in the northern sky;

They mirror what is deep inside, 

A part of me I’d tried to hide. 

My dreams burn bright within me still, 

And for that I must be strong. 

My inner light was meant to soar, 

To the aurora’s prismatic song.

So whether we choose to take a step

and hoist ourselves into the sky,

Or rest on coastlines, tired, spent, 

While ships sail by and by.

We must be gentle, not so hard, 

to meet our dreams with grace. 

When timing’s true, storm clouds will clear,

And welcome our embrace. 

***

PRE-PRODUCTION CONCEPT ART