

Lifestyle
Elon Musk’s Mars ambitions honored in Moon-landing anniversary animation
Elon Musk’s push for colonization of Mars is one of his best-known goals for humanity, and with the resources he’s gathered from successes in his many endeavors, that dream is closer to being made reality than it has been for similar dreamers over the last few decades. This July 20th will mark the 50th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo 11 Moon landing which put human footprints on the surface of our closest neighbor for the first time. With that timing in mind, an independent film studio based in France has created a short animation honoring Musk and his accomplishments that will hopefully lead to human footprints on Mars.
Initial Pictures, the French studio that created the traditionally animated film, “Elon Musk – One Giant Leap for Mankind,” has an entire team comprised of self-described fans of “the genius entrepreneur” who founded the company developing tech needed to make Mars habitation happen – SpaceX. “This is why we decided to produce a short movie in his honour and that would look like him,” the studio stated in its comments about the film. “It is a 1 minute very short movie with a very asserted style, resuming the significant innovations of the industrialist, such as Tesla, the Hyperloop, SpaceX, and to finish, Mars’ colonization.”
The storyboards and draft sketches made while developing the animation reveal the story of a team dedicated to every detail behind every part of the message their film is conveying. Tesla’s hand-drawn robot assembly lines are marked to ensure their motion is accurately represented, and the on-orbit staging of Starship, SpaceX’s massive rocket intended for human transport, is depicted as proposed in the company’s official animations, albeit in front of Mars instead of Earth.
- Elon Musk-inspired animation produced by Initial Pictures. | Image: Initial Pictures
- Elon Musk-inspired animation produced by Initial Pictures. | Image: Initial Pictures
- Elon Musk-inspired animation produced by Initial Pictures. | Image: Initial Pictures
- Elon Musk-inspired animation produced by Initial Pictures. | Image: Initial Pictures
Elon Musk-inspired animation produced by Initial Pictures. | Image: Initial Pictures
Throughout the animation, a narrator blends an inspirational message focused on a Mars mission with a fun soundtrack featuring the David Bowie and Queen version of “Under Pressure.” This all takes place against a background of Musk’s companies portrayed as leading the way to the red planet. Marc Churin, director of Initial Pictures, provided additional commentary about the project:
“Elon Musk seems to be someone who seems to enjoy a great deal of freedom. His genius allows him to complete his wildest projects. His sense of humour, ambition, financial and intellectual abilities make of him a modern hero. He is a icon that gives hope for the future. Then, what could make more sense for an animation studio than making a movie of him ? Science-fiction movies are, by definition, ahead of their time. With Elon Musk, it only takes to comment the present to tell something amazing.”
- Elon Musk-inspired animation produced by Initial Pictures. | Image: Initial Pictures
- Elon Musk-inspired animation produced by Initial Pictures. | Image: Initial Pictures
- Elon Musk-inspired animation produced by Initial Pictures. | Image: Initial Pictures
Elon Musk is no stranger to fan-base inspired projects. A full computer animated video depicting the serial entrepreneur as a young man, bullied at school and inspired by the Moon, then progressing through one success after the other to ultimately drive a Roadster on Mars, was published last year by Andy Front. SpaceX’s various rocket projects specifically have received the fan treatment over the years as well, demonstrating artistic space enthusiasts’ best interpretations of what Musk and his company have planned for the future. Tesla’s next generation Roadster has also been the subject of fan-made videos imagining the high-tech sports car showing off its insane acceleration.
The press release announcing the Initial Pictures’ animation is as follows:
“One giant leap for mankind » Elon Musk’s Chronicles
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, discover the 60 seconds short film “One giant leap for mankind”, directed by the French creative studio Initial Pictures, which pays tribute to the wonderful adventure of the entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Space has long captured humankind’s curiosity and imagination, and soon, thanks to innovations driven by passionate people such as Elon Musk, some dreams will become reality. Through a tradigital animation made of 900 drawn sketches, the short film depicts the entrepreneur’s projects in the pace at which they were achieved, as well as his upcoming interplanetary explorations.
The moon landing mission had a lasting impact on science and society, allowing people to realize what were the amazing possibilities of the space revolution. Just like Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins in 1969, Elon Musk pursues his dream of space discovery, along with the NASA, which chose SpaceX as well as Boing, to create the astronauts’ means of transport to access and return from the International Space Station.”
Watch the full “Elon Musk – One Giant Leap for Mankind” animation below:
One giant leap for Mankind from Initial on Vimeo.
Lifestyle
Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger
The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail.
A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.
Charging Charger Fails
As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.
Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.
Alleged Aftermath
As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.
The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.
Lifestyle
Anti-Elon Musk group crushes Tesla Model 3 with Sherman tank–with unexpected results
Ironically enough, the group’s video ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

Anti-Elon Musk protesters and critics tend to show their disdain for the CEO in various ways, but a recent video from political action group Led By Donkeys definitely takes the cake when it comes to creativity.
Ironially enough, the group’s video also ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.
Tank vs. Tesla
In its video, Led By Donkeys featured Ken Turner, a 98-year-old veteran who served in the British army during World War II. The veteran stated that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is “using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.”
He also noted that he had a message for the Tesla CEO: “We’ve crushed fascism before and we’ll crush it again.” To emphasize his point, the veteran proceeded to drive a Sherman tank over a blue Tesla Model 3 sedan, which, of course, had a plate that read “Fascism.”
The heavy tank crushed the Model 3’s glass roof and windows, much to the delight of Led By Donkeys’ commenters on its official YouTube channel. But at the end of it all, the aftermath of the anti-Elon Musk demonstration ended up showcasing something positive for the electric vehicle maker.
Tesla Model 3 Tanks the Tank?
As could be seen from the wreckage of the Tesla Model 3 after its Sherman encounter, only the glass roof and windows of the all-electric sedan were crushed. Looking at the wreckage of the Model 3, it seemed like its doors could still be opened, and everything on its lower section looked intact.
Considering that a standard M4 Sherman weighs about 66,800 to 84,000 pounds, the Model 3 actually weathered the tank’s assault really well. Granted, the vehicle’s suspension height before the political action group’s demonstration suggests that the Model 3’s high voltage battery had been removed beforehand. But even if it hadn’t been taken off, it seemed like the vehicle’s battery would have survived the heavy ordeal without much incident.
This was highlighted in comments from users on social media platform X, many of whom noted that a person in the Model 3 could very well have survived the ordeal with the Sherman. And that, ultimately, just speaks to the safety of Tesla’s vehicles. There is a reason why Teslas consistently rank among the safest cars on the road, after all.
Lifestyle
Tesla Model 3 driver is using FSD to travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp
The ambitious, nearly 4,000-kilometer (2,485-mile) Tesla FSD journey is being livestreamed on Chinese social media.

Count on Tesla drivers in China to push Full Self Driving (FSD) as far as it could go. As could be seen in videos posted on Chinese social media, a brave Model 3 owner is currently going on an epic journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest on FSD.
Recent posts from the Model 3 driver suggest that the ambitious destination may be within reach.
Epic FSD Journey
As noted by Tesla owner-enthusiast Aaron Li, the journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest spans almost 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). The journey itself is epic, with stunning vistas and roads that require some drivers to bring oxygen canisters with them. The fact that it is being done using FSD makes it extra impressive.
Based on the videos that have been recently shared, the Model 3 running FSD seems to be nearing the Everest Base Camp. There seems to be a good chance that the Tesla Model 3 may reach its destination this Friday.
Previous Everest Trips
This is not the first time that a Tesla has driven to Mt. Everest’s base camp. That would be a Model 3 that was driven in September 2020. That vehicle, which went on a long 5,500 km (3,400-mile) journey, was manually driven to its destination.
In April 2021, Tesla China announced that it has completed the buildout of 11 Supercharger stations in the picturesque route from Chengdu to Tingri. This route would allow drivers to reach the base camp of Mt. Everest. Sure enough, in July 2022, Tesla China shared a video of two Teslas—a Model X and Model Y—reaching the Everest base camp without any issues. Numerous other Tesla drivers have since taken on the long, picturesque journey.
Check out this Tesla Model Y’s journey to the Mt. Everest base camp in the video below.
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