Denver Jackson Archives | Otaku No Culture

The Worlds Divide is Esluna’s Next Exciting Chapter Ready for the International Stage!

It’s rare to find a world that’s as rich as Esluna, and in The Worlds Divide, what viewers learn is how it all began. After it’s international debut at the most prestigious celebration of all things animation, it’ll be hitting film festivals worldwide.

International Premiere
Annecy Film Festival
June 10 & 13th, 2024

Dad has gone missing in The Worlds Divide. And if he’s not found in time, the world of Esluna may not continue existing. Anyone who’s followed this epic tale will be in for a treat. Here, it’s always about people wanting to discover the purpose of various technological relics that’s scattered around this realm, and it’s about time this entry is putting things together.

Following a preview at Spark! Film Festival, this latest work by Denver Jackson is making its proper world debut at the Annecy. I’ve interviewed him when he was still producing this film, and as a result, I firmly believe this filmmaker’s sense of how to present an epic is better thought out than all of Disney’s Star Wars cinematic releases put together. That is, unlike how various producers keep on changing what The Force represents; here, it concerns what secrets the Monolith contains!

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Denver Jackson’s Esluna Continues with The Worlds Divide! World Premiere and an Interview!

The race is on to finish mixing Esluna, The Worlds Divide in time for the world premiere this coming weekend in Vancouver, BC by this local talent!

Denver Jackson is a very talented filmmaker whom I’ve had the pleasure of following ever since I first met him at Camosun College. Back then, he was part of a team of media artists of whom I interviewed (for Nexus Newspaper) and recognised would go far after graduating. Two of them would become frequent collaborators now that this individual is making films! The world of Esluna is no doubt influenced by other works (all the deets can be found on the Kickstarter page), and The Worlds Divide is ready to distinguish it from others!

And its ready to make its world debut at Spark Animation Festival and Conference in Vancouver, BC (Runs Nov 9 to 12th, playing Sat 6:15pm). At the time of writing, they’re hard at work putting in the final touches at Skywalker Sound, and he’s taken the time to answer some questions for those wondering about how he got to finally telling the story he first wanted since coming up with this world–sort of like how George Lucas got his start and telling that “Episode One.” And I’m sure Jackson can tell his version much, much better.

Humour aside, to interview him once again is always a pleasure, and fans can get an idea in how to prepare for part three of his saga. But first, an introduction for newcomers:

Denver Jackson: I’m a filmmaker that started out making films when I was 14, and slowly transitioned to working in VFX, then finally animation. I’ve always had an interest in the latter since I started as a visual storyteller, but it wasn’t until 10 years ago that I finally tried making a short film, Cloudrise, which is what I named my production company after.

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From Crown of Babylon to (How) The World’s Divide is Exceeding CloudRise Picture’s Expectations!

Denver Jackson’s next film is The World’s Divide and he’s asking for your help to help bring into to full production.

The World's Divide The World’s Divide (Kickstarter Page)

From a graphic novel to film, Esluna became a world that’s very personal for creator and visionary, Denver Jackson, to weave his creativity into. After writing and illustrating the book which started it all, this self-taught filmmaker decided it must be turned into a movie. Crown of Babylon is about Caz and Maeve searching for the said item. I also interviewed him in the past about this work, and that can be read here.

Next was The First Monolith, which sees Maeve return and be involved in a mission to stop an ancient artefact from activating. There’s more character development concerning this young lady and a little robot. This is available to view on YouTube. It also introduces Queen Leda, and I’m betting she’s also the antagonist (even though she’s not directly named) in this latest production, The World’s Divide, which takes place 50 years later, and involving her children.

The World's Divide Concept Movie Poster According to the official Kickstarter synopsis:

The Worlds Divide is an action-packed, sci-fi film set in two worlds. One, a dystopian cyberpunk future and the other, the lush fantasy world of Esluna. The adventure story features a girl named Natomi who is sent to the world of Esluna, where she and her newfound friends try to navigate this new world in attempts to get to her father, a god of this world, before she is hunted and killed by the ruthless queen.

Anyone who followed Jackson’s past series and loved it made their voice heard with his latest crowdfunder. Although these tales aren’t unified by narrative, the steampunk world it’s set in is vast. Many RPG type scenarios can be developed should this creator publish his bible. The details he’s put into this world is huge!

Based on the current totals, a fair number of people are supporting this endevour! The funds gained so far have exceeded this filmmaker and his team’s expectations; the love for independent animated cinema has them happy.

A week remains to help out, and hopefully it’ll break into the next stretch goal so albums and books can be made. Continue reading “From Crown of Babylon to (How) The World’s Divide is Exceeding CloudRise Picture’s Expectations!”

An Interview with Denver Jackson & Esluna: Crown of Babylon’s World Debut!

As for the future, Denver Jackson revealed that he wants to look at the lives of the supporting characters in this world he created.

Denver Jackson Publicity Still Denver Jackson is the creative mind behind a techno-fantasy world that he can uniquely call his own. Esluna: The First Monolith is a standalone work that introduces Maeve Riverflare, a relic hunter, to the world. This nine episode series is available on YouTube, and received a few national awards for best digital series made (Blood in Snow Festival) and a Leo Awards nomination for direction. He also has a solid team of friends, like Mark Junker (musician), Daniel Hogg (producer) and the voice actors (see below for credits) to back him in his many projects.

Next is Esluna: The Crown of Babylon and its set to play at various film festivals like Vancouver’s Spark Animation (Oct 28 to Nov 7th) and Sitges Festival in Spain (Oct 7 to 17th). Catching the prior series is not required for newcomers, but this director said there’s a few nods here and there for those followers of his work.

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[Web-series] The Quest for Esluna: The First Monolith, A First Look

The world of Esluna has ancient technology strewn about, and the orbs are just one example of the past still being used today to power technology and interest in this film’s vast mythology.

Halfway into the YouTube animated series Esluna: The First Monolith, Bataar (voiced by local Victoria Fringe Festival favourite Shawn O’Hara) may well have the means to go home. He’s from another world and unless he gains allies to help him, he’s stuck in a strange land populated with robots and ruled by a power-hungry warlord. The way he arrived suggests he’s been spirited away than simply teleported over. An ancient artifact of mystical power called The Monolith brought him here and nobody operated it at the time. When it’s in the hands of Queen Leda (Tara Pratt), who wants to use it for other purposes, returning will not be easy.

Anyone who controls this device holds the fate of Esluna in their hands. Maeve (Grace Chan) knows of what it can do. She’s a relic hunter who will prevent any lost artifact from going to the wrong people. Many years have passed, and the story picks up when Bataar is older. He feels resigned to his fate and eventually hope picks up.

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