Behind the scenes of the Animated adventure “Camp Kona”

Camp Kona, a short-form animated monster movie, takes us on a nostalgic journey through 80’s summer camp adventures, combining elements of thrill, humor, and mystery. The film revolves around Jasper, a reluctant camper at Camp Kona, who stumbles upon the dark history of the camp and unravels the mystery behind the disappearance of a girl named Kaia during the summer of 1982.

Adriel Meka, the Writer/Director of Camp Kona, drew inspiration from his favorite 80s movies and Spielberg films, aiming to capture the essence of retro horror and iconic cult classics. Reflecting on his childhood experiences at summer camp in Canada, Meka envisioned a story that blends magical realism with imagination and sci-fi, echoing the spirit of movies like The Goonies and Stranger Things.

“This began to develop into the idea of a kid going missing at the camp and then our new protagonist exploring the aftermath of a place with a dark history” said Meka. “Jasper was inspired by my younger self and the story follows his experience in overcoming a reluctance to attend camp once he found something unexpected to make it fun.  A thriller theme and humorous characters enabled me to explore a full range of emotions through the film and knew I also wanted it to have a fitting retro soundtrack. Once I had the story written all the pieces were in play, and I moved into the next stages of getting to direct and work with a wonderfully talented team that helped bring Camp Kona to life!”

Movie making is hard in both live action . Camp Kona marked Meka’s directorial debut in animated short films, requiring him to lead a crew, manage artists, and navigate the complexities of animation production. The film was initially conceived as a 3D dystopian sci-fi project, but Meka pivoted to align it with his love for retro films, resulting in a condensed production schedule.

While discussing his favorite part of production, Meka expressed his deep love for directing, emphasizing the joy of creating characters and stories that resonate with both him and the audience.

“Camp Kona’s protagonist, Jasper, is like a younger version of me and a piece of how I see the world. There’s something deeply fulfilling about coming up with these characters and tales that are close to you then, being able to get other people excited about it.”

The challenges  pushed Meka to learn the intricacies of building a crew, developing an animation pipeline, and becoming a director. The experience, though initially daunting, became an exciting journey of growth and self-discovery.

“I learned the importance of a team and how even though “alone you can go fast”, “together you can go far” The process of making the film gave me the chance to grow as a leader, a creative, and as an individual. and I wouldn’t change it for the world”

Looking back, Meka contemplates the possibility of a different approach, expressing interest in showcasing his 3D skills in a reimagination of Camp Kona. Imagining the characters in a detailed 3D world, he draws inspiration from stylized CG animations like Arcane and Spider-Verse, envisioning a sequel that explores new visual territories.

For aspiring filmmakers, Meka offers advice rooted in authenticity and collaboration. He encourages creators to use the medium as a voice to express their inspirations genuinely and emphasizes the importance of building a great team. Meka highlights the continuous growth in any artistic endeavor, urging individuals to accumulate “pencil mileage” and persevere through the inevitable growing pains.

To stay updated on Meka’s projects and the journey of Camp Kona, audiences can follow the film’s Instagram account @CampKonafilm. For more insights into Adriel Meka’s work, his personal Instagram account @arekusan_meka , provides a glimpse into future creative endeavors.

As Camp Kona makes its mark as an official selection at the Utah International Film Festival from February 12-17, audiences can anticipate an animated adventure that taps into the spirit of 80s nostalgia, mystery, and camaraderie.