Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Some artists just never get a break... until they break themselves! An aspiring creative struggles with negative self-talk and unfair comparisons with his peers. Can his only fan save him from himself? It's Art Attack gone very wrong in this crude comedy short.
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Tortured Artist by Thomas Laurance
thomaslaurance.com
"Inspired by a postcard image of a clown defecating into a bucket and calling it art, Tortured Artist is an irreverent exorcism of my most debilitating demon: self-imposed pressure to make good art. Every artist is all too familiar with self-doubt, negative self-talk and unfair comparison with peers. I wanted to embody that and blow it up, to set us all free! In many ways, this is my most personal film yet.
Like many creatives, I often struggle with negative self-talk and paralysing comparison with my idols and peers. An oppressive fixation on making something good destroys all creativity and always leads to me making nothing at all. It’s just too much pressure. It’s missing the whole point of what creative expression should be about – joy. So, I wanted to personify this negative voice in my head and label it. Poke fun at it. Blow it up."
🎙️ Dive deeper into the making of Tortured Artist with our exclusive interview with writer/director/animator Thomas Laurance
directorsnotes.com/2025/12/16/thomas-laurance-tortured-artist
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Podcast: pod.link/192507317
// Credits //
Written, directed, performed, shot, edited & animated by - Thomas Laurance
Colour grader - Adrian Abbott
Composer - Dominic de Grande
ABOUT DIRECTORS NOTES
Since 2006 Directors Notes has curated the world's best independent films alongside exclusive daily deep dive interviews which provide behind the scenes insights into the inspirations and production stories of the most talented filmmakers on the planet.
#art #artist #whatisart #selfsabotage #strugglingartist #darkcomedy #animation #shortfilm
Some artists just never get a break... until they break themselves! An aspiring creative struggles with negative self-talk and unfair comparisons with his peers. Can his only fan save him from himself? It's Art Attack gone very wrong in this crude comedy short.
🔔 Love indie films? SUBSCRIBE to Directors Notes for more trailblazing shorts: youtube.com/c/directorsnotes
🎥 Want to see your film here? Submit your work to Directors Notes: directorsnotes.com/submit
Tortured Artist by Thomas Laurance
thomaslaurance.com
"Inspired by a postcard image of a clown defecating into a bucket and calling it art, Tortured Artist is an irreverent exorcism of my most debilitating demon: self-imposed pressure to make good art. Every artist is all too familiar with self-doubt, negative self-talk and unfair comparison with peers. I wanted to embody that and blow it up, to set us all free! In many ways, this is my most personal film yet.
Like many creatives, I often struggle with negative self-talk and paralysing comparison with my idols and peers. An oppressive fixation on making something good destroys all creativity and always leads to me making nothing at all. It’s just too much pressure. It’s missing the whole point of what creative expression should be about – joy. So, I wanted to personify this negative voice in my head and label it. Poke fun at it. Blow it up."
🎙️ Dive deeper into the making of Tortured Artist with our exclusive interview with writer/director/animator Thomas Laurance
directorsnotes.com/2025/12/16/thomas-laurance-tortured-artist
👉 Follow Us for More Short Film Greatness:
Newsletter: directorsnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Instagram: instagram.com/directorsnotes
Podcast: pod.link/192507317
// Credits //
Written, directed, performed, shot, edited & animated by - Thomas Laurance
Colour grader - Adrian Abbott
Composer - Dominic de Grande
ABOUT DIRECTORS NOTES
Since 2006 Directors Notes has curated the world's best independent films alongside exclusive daily deep dive interviews which provide behind the scenes insights into the inspirations and production stories of the most talented filmmakers on the planet.
#art #artist #whatisart #selfsabotage #strugglingartist #darkcomedy #animation #shortfilm
