Trailer
Synopsis
A lost little boy is led down memory lane through his favorite aquarium by a playful water otter
My Roles
Director, Story Writer, Compositing Lead, Rough Animator, Storyboarder, Character Design
About the Project
Wodr started with a simple idea. I wanted a way to honor and celebrate my late grandfather. Originally pitched as part of Savannah College of Art and Design's capstone program, Wodr was selected by stuudents and faculty to become a short film. Working with a team of 9 other students, I led the team during the entirety of my senior year. The story was intimate and accesible, as this film deals with emotions we all have felt. Figuring out how to fit such a bittersweet story into a 3 minute run time was certainly a challenge, but we focused on charting out the emotional beats before boarding. Wodr follows the story of a little boy, Willie, who deals with the loss of his grandfather. The film takes place in an aquarium, a place he and his grandfather frequented. Willie is alone, reflecting his emotions, when suddenly a magical water spirit appears! Taking the form of an otter, the spirit guides Willie through the aquarium as he relives a day with his grandfather.
Pre-Production
The Pitch
I collaborated with my story artist and producer, Emily Tubbs for our story pitch. I focused on crafting the inital story and Splash, our water spirit. While this design has since been scrapped, it lay the blueprint for the version of him in the final film.
Story Boards
I was in charge of boarding and revisions in the Shark Tunnel. I wanted this to be the last upbeat moment before the finale, so I made sure to keep the energy up with lots of action and moving cameras. The tunnel was a large part of the aquariums design so I emphasized many of the room's features with Splash's actions.
Production
Roughs
Post-Production
Compositing (WIP)
As Lead Compositor, it was my job to integrate the 3D backgrounds with the 2D animation, as well as properly cut the characters to seamlessly interact with their environment. Splash's transparency was especially tricky when several parts overlapped. I used a variety of masks, null objects, and 3D cameras to create the basic layout for each shot. I then applied whatever lighting and color treatment was needed in each scene. Lastly, I would add blurs, texture, and chromatic aberration to the shot to complete the film's final look.
Film Festivals
WODR is currently in its film festival run and is not publicly available. If you are a recruiter and interested in seeing the full film, please feel free to email me.