Whole
"Whole" is a whimsical and heartfelt animated short film inspired by the vibrant traditions of Día de Muertos. The story follows a quirky, newly dead skeleton who embarks on a hilarious yet touching journey to cross into the afterlife. Along the way, he discovers that being "complete" is not what makes you whole is the connections and sacrifices we make for one another. Through vivid visuals, quirky characters, and a blend of humour and emotion, "Whole" explores themes of self-acceptance, love, and community.
This project combines a unique narrative with colourful, visually rich storytelling that celebrates the afterlife in a light-hearted yet meaningful way. Perfect for lovers of fantasy, animation, and the vibrant spirit of Día de Muertos!
(You can read the complete script attached at last)
Title: Whole
(Crux: "You can be whole without being complete")
Copyright Notice: All rights reserved. This script, titled "Whole," is the sole intellectual property of Tushar Gehlot. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this material is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, contact ghttushar2002@gmail.com.
Story
A newly dead skeleton found himself stepping onto a glowing bridge suspended between the world of the living and the afterlife. The bridge was vibrant and bustling with colorful skeletons, all celebrating their journey. He felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension as he walked, unsure of what lay ahead.
As he crossed the bridge, a hyperactive skeletal dog suddenly bolted toward him, barking wildly. The dog’s owner, a lively skeleton girl, tried to catch up, but the dog had already set its sights on the main skeleton’s hand. Unable to resist, the dog grabbed his hand and ran off with it. Chaos erupted as the skeleton chased after the dog, but in the commotion, the hand tumbled off the bridge into a deep, glowing abyss. Despite his frustration, the main skeleton saved the dog from falling, earning the girl’s heartfelt gratitude and an apology for the mishap.
Determined to move on, the main skeleton approached the grand gate at the end of the bridge. The gatekeeper, a bored and stern figure, scanned him. A harsh beep sounded, and the gatekeeper informed him that he was incomplete and couldn’t enter without his missing bone. He had only 12 hours to retrieve it, or he’d be stuck on the bridge forever.
Panicked, the skeleton tried stealing bones from others on the bridge, but his attempts were thwarted by the intimidating bone police. Running out of options, he decided to return to the living world to find a replacement.
In the world of the living, he wandered through streets filled with people who couldn’t see him. As he explored, a flyer advertising a newly opened dinosaur museum flew into his face. Inspired, he snuck into the museum under the cover of night. Inside, he marveled at the towering skeletons of ancient creatures. Spotting an opportunity, he carefully removed a bone from a T-rex skeleton. To his surprise, the dinosaur’s jaw comically dropped, and a group of schoolchildren screamed in amazement, thinking it was part of the exhibit.
Rushing back to the gate, the skeleton presented the dinosaur bone. However, the scanner rejected it. “That’s not human,” the gatekeeper said, bemused. Frustrated and running out of time, the skeleton returned to the living world in search of a human bone.
He stumbled upon a funeral in a small church. Hiding behind the coffin, he waited for everyone to leave. As he listened to the heartfelt speeches about the deceased, he realized he couldn’t take away the chance for someone so loved to enter heaven. Overcome with guilt, he left the funeral empty-handed.
Back on the bridge, the skeleton sat on a bench, dejected and out of ideas. The girl and her dog found him again. Seeing his despair, she asked what had happened. He recounted his journey, sharing every mishap and failure. Moved by his story, the girl broke off her own hand and offered it to him. Shocked and touched by her sacrifice, he refused, insisting she deserved to enter heaven whole.
As the final moments of the 12-hour deadline approached, he gently pushed her toward the gate. She hesitated, looking at her dog, who whimpered sadly. Just as she was about to cross, she turned back, seeing him watching her. She ran back to him, and they embraced. The clock struck, and the gate closed behind them.
Instead of despair, the two skeletons found a new purpose. Together, they opened a quirky restaurant on the bridge, serving both the living and the dead. Their motto: “Whole is more than complete.” The skeletal dog, ever mischievous, caused occasional chaos, adding to the charm of their new life.
In the end, they realized that being whole wasn’t about perfection or completeness—it was about the connections they shared and the love that made them stronger together.