Local band releases animated film

Fort Rouge

Winnipeg

Take a cruise through a wacky, fun film filled with dad jokes, secret police, and a sentient spoon, while riding with the band in a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire.

With music from Winnipeg band, It’s All in the Mind, No Rock Unturned is a new animated film that follows the band’s missing drummer — which is a hot commodity in the local music scene — through a magical portal out of Winnipeg to a fictional fantasy world.

“It’s meant to be fun,” said Mark David Stallard, animator, editor, and director of the film, as well as lead vocals and guitarist for It’s All in the Mind. “Maybe promote conversation.”

The band features Stallard (lead vocals and guitar), Ryan Janz (bass), Jared Adams (lead guitar and vocals), and Brennan Saul (drums).

Stallard, a Fort Rouge resident, said he draws inspiration from music such as Bob Dylan, The Monkees, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Beatles — the latter being a key influence in the film’s production.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Stallard said. “Something Alice in Wonderland-y and Yellow Submarine inspired. (Yellow Submarine is) wonderful art and a beautiful film.”

Fans of the 1968 film will notice fun parallels between the movies. Look out for a cheesy field of pockets joke instead of holes like in The Beatles’ film.

The self-described “Yellow Submarine meets Orwell’s 1984” has 19 original songs, a cartoony animated vibe, and satirical political undertones, mocking that a politician’s political party changes after an election, but their goals don’t.

While the political messaging might be the biggest take away for some people, the goal of the film — which took four years to make — is to highlight the band’s music.

“If someone can walk away singing or humming a song, then that’s the immortality,” Stallard said.

Before the 2D-animated versions of Stallard, Janz, and Adams drive through a portal to chase after Saul, the movie has familiar-sounding Winnipeg references like Jon’s Photos or The Block. But also, city classics like the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and Esplanade Riel.

“We’re happy to be Winnipeggers,” Stallard said. “We’re a Winnipeg band and we’re proud.”

To watch the film and find the music, visit the band’s website itsallinthemind.ca