top of page
The making of
Selected by
I started out first with the statement, "I want a dragon to propose to a cat, but the cat is worried".
This bought so much more questions. What are their relationship? What's the problem? How do they solve it?
Driven by these quesions, I created my graduate thesis film, Strawberry Meringue Cake.
It is a mostly 1 person role, which I handled all pre-production assets, defining story, art style, most 3d animation, and communicated with FX artists, composer/sound designer, and 2D animator to finish the film and give the cake the cream and cherry on the top.
Concept Art
I started out defining that the style of the film will be "soft, sun rays, bright, with beautiful skies at the end when they overcame their inner struggles."
A tale that is whimsical, simple, romantic, handcrafted and warm.
Therefore my main color choices are orange/yellow for most of the film, and at the end would add romantic pink and purple blushes of clouds and sky.
The environment would be sunny and lift the colors of black from Wind the cat.
Character Designs
The characters existed long before the film idea was created. Over years, I realized I wanted to tell a story not about two animals, but about two animals that resembled humans, so they became more gentle, more lovable to each other, and somewhat sentimental and passionate.
However, both characters were drastically different on size and shape to show that they had many differences but wanted to be at the same position in their hearts. It is story about overcoming differences and understanding each other.
Beat Boards
I started out writing the outline and simplifying it to the extremes, taking reference
from the story logistics by South Park authors (link showing their talk). It would mostly be a one person job and the film needed to stay as concise as possible.
Script
I wanted the story to act in three beats.
1. Dreamland- showing the fears in the cat.
2. Their struggle and fight in real life (indoors)- one wanted to be together, the other wants but has concerns
3. The dragon leaving letting the cat realize her true heart. Which led to outdoors- opening your arms and embracing each others fears.
Storyboard+ Animatic
I put everything into a storyboard and cut it into an animatic. This served as a blueprint though many visual ideas changed afterwards.
Technical Aspects-
Modeling, Texturing, Rigging, Painting
As this was my first completed film, I handled all director decisions and most of the technical aspects. quick overview of showing the process.
I didn't go with a realistic CGI look because this is a fantasy whimsical bedtime story- Instead, I explored the look of hand drawn paints and clays. I created the look by painting different colors on the normal channel of 3D objects.
Collaboration and hand-drawn elements
Time is tight and the film needed to have good music and good effects. I reached out to multiple FX animators on LinkedIn, and found people with portfolios I felt suitable for the film style. I connected everyone and invited them to a discord group, which everyone uploaded their work on Sync sketch for approval. I spent time communicating with each artist and defining the style I was going for.
For music- I got to know some composers that were studying at NYU. I listened to their portfolios, looking for one that gave a soft musical western feeling that made me peaceful. I am happy that I found the perfect person for it, and his music was fabulous.
FX Directions: 3D reflected that animals existed in real life, but I wanted 2d effects that showed the whimsical but romantic atmosphere. Therefore I communicated with FX artists to create this feeling.
'Rose and Lily, created by Sanjana Gupta
Flower smoke rising from the pot. The spoon also has a rose shape attached on the end!
Smoke effects by Sanjana too.
Yellow glowing sparks that would give light and hope into the frame. Leaves falling to reflect realism. Painted backgrounds to push the handcrafted fairytale feeling.
The Children book Easter Egg: I wanted to replicate the feeling of "From then on, they lived happily ever after" after the credits. Therefore I communicated with the talented 2d artist Dlrc to drawing this children book style ending.
Final Look
bottom of page