Time Signature Hits Initial Goal, Cherry’s Short Film Aims Higher
Backers have unlocked the first milestone; now the quest for premium animation upgrades races onwards
Pratibha holds a master's degree in English from Madras University. A bookworm from a young age, she devours books and digital humanities to nourish her writing projects. Pratibha began her writing career in 2018 and has experience writing formal, informal, and technical content.
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A Time-loop Musical Rooted In Magical Realism
On Day 11 of his Kickstarter campaign, Oscar-winning filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry announced that Time Signature, his 2D animated musical short film, has officially reached its initial funding goal. Rooted in magical realism, the project follows Melody, a teen music prodigy struggling with writer’s block, who discovers a mystical piano that catapults her into the 1980s—where she meets her mother, Harmony, at age 18.
“it’s Like Coco Meets Back To The Future,”
Cherry wrote in his latest update. He thanked backers for pushing the campaign past its first milestone and encouraged supporters to keep pledging. “The more we raise, the higher the quality of a project we can deliver,” he noted, crediting character designs to @marcusthevisual.
Stretch Goals Fuel Ambition
Earlier in the campaign, on Day 7, Cherry revealed that hitting the initial goal was only the beginning. The team has set a primary stretch target of $100,000 to unlock enhanced animation features, including more detailed backgrounds, fluid choreography, and richer color palettes. Cherry has sweetened the deal with tiered rewards: backers can earn a spot in the film’s special thanks, exclusive children’s books, the original soundtrack, and invitations to a preview screening.
Unveiling Harmony’s Backstory
In a Day 3 post, Cherry introduced Harmony—the mother we see as a prodigy who shelved her dreams when life intervened. “She now has an adverse relationship with music,” the creator explained. Melody’s discovery of her mom’s unfinished sheet music sets the stage for generational healing, as each temporal detour helps Harmony rediscover her passion and support her daughter’s ambitions.
Celebrating Black Musical Heritage
Cherry positions Time Signature as more than a family tale; it’s a celebration of Black musical history and Black girl joy. The film’s visual style shifts by era: psychedelic 1970s motifs give way to graffiti-tagged 1980s designs, sketch-inspired 1990s frames, and the sleek digital look of the 2000s. Coalescing choreography, original songs, and hand-drawn artistry, the short promises a sensory journey across decades.
Why Backers Are Key
Animation is notoriously costly, and Cherry insists on working with human artists rather than relying solely on shortcuts. With each new pledge, the team can raise the production bar—adding extra musical numbers, refining character animation, and extending the runtime. Fans have praised the project’s heartfelt premise and catchy concept: one backer wrote, “This could be the next classic in animated shorts.”
As the 30-day window ticks down, Cherry remains optimistic. “If Hair Love was about the bond between a father and daughter,” he reminded supporters, “Time Signature is about the rhythm and repair between mothers and daughters.”
Passionate fans still have time to join the campaign. With every dollar, they help ensure Melody’s time-traveling odyssey glows with nostalgia, heart, and musical magic.
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