Introduction

In this candid interview from 2013, when I was known as the “cultural animator”, I chatted with Bernadine Santistevan, Writer/Director/Producer of the award-winning animated short Wolf Dog Tales. Inspired by the Pueblo Indian stories she grew up with in New Mexico, Bernadine's film has garnered significant success, including:

• Official Selection for the Annecy Film Festival 2012

• Comic-Con's Best Animated Film 2012

• Winner of ASIFA EAST Excellence in Writing 2012

Return of the Ancestors

Bernadine's ancestry is a blend of Spanish (from the Inquisition era) and Pueblo Indian. Wolf Dog Tales comprises six mini-stories that interweave to impart ancient indigenous wisdom, crucial for our contemporary world. The film draws inspiration from Bernadine's dog, Paco, who shared 20 years of his life with her, teaching valuable lessons about life and our planet in his final years.

Animation Techniques

While Bernadine is the creative force behind the film, the animation was executed by Emmy award-winning animator, Igor. The music was composed by Pueblo-Indian and Grammy Award-winning artist, Robert Mirabel. This stellar team created a unique piece featuring a new animation technique called "faux sand painting animation™." Igor employed various innovative approaches, including:

• Stop motion sand animation

• Sand painting animation

• Wind erosion animation

For more information about faux sand painting animation™, you can download details from the provided link.

The White Wolf Connection

A fascinating aspect of Bernadine's journey is her connection to the White Wolf. This spiritual encounter mirrors my own experience from 2007, where the White Wolf appeared in a dream. These experiences highlight how animal spirits transcend cultural and racial boundaries, reaching out to those considered "outsiders" due to mixed heritage. It suggests that our ancestors are working to reconnect with us, guiding us to use our talents in reawakening ancient wisdom.

Reflections on the Interview

Interviewing Bernadine was refreshing and insightful. Our post-interview discussion touched on the challenges of balancing creativity with financial realities. For creative entrepreneurs, the next crucial lesson is learning to harmonize the demands of our material world with our deeper, spiritual needs for expression.