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Insider Scoop: Notable filmmaker Eddie Alcazar (Divinity, The Vandal) introduces The Weeknd as an inquisitive toddler in his latest stop-motion short film, Red Terror. This artistic piece is a companion to The Weeknd’s song of the same name from his newest album, Hurry Up Tomorrow. The video is available for viewing below.
The Making of Red Terror
Following a conversation with the multi-Grammy Award-winning artist and actor, Alcazar crafted the eerie fantasy film concept. The Weeknd’s request for the narrative to centre around “a boy in a haunted forest” was the starting point. Alcazar’s creative process, from the initial idea to the final product, spanned approximately three to four months.
Artistic Freedom and Innovation
Alcazar spoke to Deadline about his creative journey with The Weeknd, saying, “The creative liberty and time I had working with Abel permitted us to explore raw themes and audacious techniques. By weaving together live action, stop motion, and VFX, we’ve created something truly unique—an experience that pushes boundaries while staying grounded in raw emotion.”
Behind the scenes with The Weeknd and Eddie Alcazar
Eddie Alcazar’s Notable Works
Alcazar has gained recognition for his stop-motion masterpieces, including his latest feature, Divinity (2023), a cosmic horror film executive produced by his mentor, Steven Soderbergh, and starring Stephen Dorff, Scott Bakula, Moises Arias, Jason Genao, Karrueche Tran, and Bella Thorne. He also partnered with Darren Aronofsky to create the short film The Vandal, featuring Bill Duke, which had its premiere at Cannes in 2021.
Collaboration with The Weeknd
The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, was intrigued by Alcazar’s work on The Vandal, which led to their collaboration on two projects for his album, Hurry Up Tomorrow.
Other Collaborative Works
Besides Red Terror, Alcazar directed The Weeknd’s recent “Open Hearts” performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! which aired coinciding with his album release. The performance acts as a prequel to “Red Terror,” concluding with The Weeknd following a toddler version of himself into the woods.
The Creative Process
Alcazar spoke about his creative process, saying, “Working with Abel has been incredibly inspiring. His music and work ethic drove us to create visuals that reflected the richness and quality of his sound. Our ongoing discussions in the past few months kept revealing new layers of detail, enabling us to broaden and deepen the world we created.”
Appreciation for Stop Motion
He continued, “Stop motion is a complex, laborious craft—often considered a lost art—with animators averaging just five seconds of footage per day. Every frame demands meticulous attention, from the smallest set adjustments to the subtlest character movements. I’m genuinely grateful that Abel trusted this process, embracing the slow, deliberate pace required to bring such handcrafted artistry to life on such a grand scale.”
Where to Watch
You can watch the Jimmy Kimmel Live! performance and “Red Terror” below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Eddie Alcazar?
A: Eddie Alcazar is a renowned filmmaker known for his stop-motion creations.
Q: What is The Weeknd’s latest album?
Credit: deadline.com
