‘Animation Hotline’ Web Series Turns Voicemails Into Quirky Animated Shorts [VIDEOS]

With smartphones becoming veritable mini-computers and many people opting for texting over actual phone calls these days, voicemail is on its way to becoming a thing of the past.

Artist Dustin Grella, however, still appreciates the medium: his quirky web short series Animation Hotline features stop-motion animated renderings of voicemails he receives. Each short is created on a chalkboard and takes about 12 hours to complete.

The project was born out of an earlier idea, when Grella set up his landline phone to collect stories from New Yorkers. Eventually it evolved into an openly accessible Skype line that anyone could call to leave a message.

Want to leave your own voicemail in the hopes that it will get the animated treatment? You can reach Grella’s line by phone at 212-683-2490 or on Skype at the handle animationhotline. In the meantime, watch some of our favorite episodes below:

[via Fast Co Design]