Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Image Works collaborated with Kevin Love Fund (KLF) to release "The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story" animation on YouTube on March 27.
The animation will be incorporated into KLF's mental health-focused lesson plan that advocates for mental health awareness through creative storyboarding.
'The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story' Highlights Daily Mental Struggles
"The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story" follows Miles Morales as he struggles to navigate different aspects of his life. He must create a balance as a teenager, friend, a student, all the while acting as Spider-Man. After a challenging day, the hero experiences a panic attack that will force him to confront his anxiety.
Director Jarelle Dampier shared that Miles' story represents the day-to-day lives of many. "My intention is that The Spider Within can motivate deeper conversations amongst friends & family about their own mental health journeys - and I hope it feels like a love letter to those who adore Miles Morales," he stated.
The animation is written by Khaila Amazan and produced by LENS program creators Michelle Raimo-Kouyate and David Schulenburg. In addition, Clara Chan served as the VFX supervisor with Joe Darko as the animation supervisor.
Kevin Love Fund Promotes Mental Health Curriculum
Professional basketball player Kevin Love established KFL in 2018 with hopes of inspiring and providing support for mental and physical health. The KFL education team produced an evidence-based curriculum that encourages students to share challenging experiences and transform them into illustrations.
"You see it with Spider-Man in the short film, where Miles has a trusted confidante... We can all learn from that - how important it is to reach out to someone, express your true emotions, speak your truth, and not hold everything inside," said Love.
The film will serve as the final deliverable of the LENS program which required the student to create an all-original short film set in an existing world in Sony Pictures.
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