Clicker is an animated short film directed by saintlycharles
and premiered on 6th June 2022 as part of the SCAD Animation Spring Showcase 2022. It managed to win the bronze award alongside Talva.
The all-night rager at ΔUΧ frat house is in full swing but Bloo (Dustin Wong Nguyen) waits impatiently for his boyfriend Trevor (Mike Scandora). Turns out Trevor had started without him and added insult to injury, chucked a beer keg at him which caused Bloo to kick him in the balls in retaliation. This leads to another of their many, many arguments when Trevor accidentally steps on Bloo's remote and pushes his buttons. Thus, the two boyfriends take a tour of their dysfunctional relationship through the magic of television.
The trailer and short can be viewed on YouTube alongside the end-credits song "Static Electricity" by REY GWEN.
The short contains the following tropes:
- 20 Minutes into the Past: According to the camcorder during the news footage, the short takes place on 6th June 2004, exactly 18 years ago before its release date.
- Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: When Bloo is listing what Trevor has done wrong during their relationship, he mentions spring break of 2003 and spring break of 2004, showing Trevor on a no-fly list, and Trevor & Bloo on a life raft with a capsized ship in the background respectively. Immediately after those he mentions Trevor seeing The Nutcracker without him.
- Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other: Despite the bickering and fighting throughout the entire short, which worsened the longer they stay Trapped in TV Land, both Bloo and Trevor are clearly upset and in tears when the former has no choice but to break up after realising their relationship is beyond saving.
- Foreshadowing: The writings on the wall in the beginning shot have "D + R" in a heart but the "D" was crossed out and replaced with an "F" as well as "TREVOR WUZ HEЯE" down below. By the end, Bloo ultimately decides to break off his relationship with Trevor before it could get more toxic than it already is.
- Look Ma, I Am on TV!: The unnamed waffle-maker-headed guy Bloo interviews for the news segment is more excited to be on camera than comment on Trevor's keg incident witnessed.On-Site Reporter Bloo: "I'm here with a bystander from the incident! Tell me, sir. What did you see?"Waffle-head: "Oh my god, Fart City exploded!" [Turns to the camera] "Wha— Am I on TV? Oh my GOD! I'm on TV!! [Grabs the camera] KAYLYNN! KAYLYNN! I'M ON TV!!!"
- Soap Within a Show: One segment leads the two standing beach shore at sunset, suddenly speaking in Spanish and acting out a typical dramatic Telenovela scene, in tune with their argument. Trevor even has one of those Navel-Deep Neckline blouses that male leads of the genre usually wear.Bloo: <You Are Absolutely Impossible!>Trevor: *Beatboxes in Spanish*Bloo: <Don't fuck with me!> [Slaps Trevor]
- Trapped in TV Land: When Trevor steps on Bloos remote they get trapped in multiple TV shows, which parody many genres and popular pieces of media.
- The Unintelligible: Trevor speaks in nothing but beatboxing without the use of subtitles. This is supposed to symbolize and emphasize the communication breakdown between him and Bloo as we only hear the latter's side of the argument by nature.
