Waking Life

The film is considered the first independent computer-animated feature film ever made in America - an abstract, psychedelic, digital video improvisation. It uses computers to paint reality, not mimic it. The film was shot the film on location in Austin, using digital video equipment. Afterwards, newly developed computer software was used to transform the images through a process called "interpolated rotoscoping"; the result merges the naturalism of live action with a stylized look that resembles a cartoon. A young man arrives in Austin and hitches a ride with a stranger, who engages him in a conversation about rarely considered facets of existentialism. As the visitor drifts through the city, he encounters a variety of people and finds himself absorbing their views on art, philosophy, society, and other issues of contemporary life. (Mark Deming, All Movie Guide)