YOKAITOPIA

(The Process) Glenna was our guide, she provided original music and inspiration- traditional woodcut prints, key cultural references rooted in her background as a first generation Japanese American. We worked together to blend old and new to create a fresh, bold piece with every frame considered. 2D and 3D elements were used to mirror the idea of tradition and contemporary styles. Below are some behind the scenes bits that I worked on.

The main antagonist, The Yuki-onna (雪女, "Snow Woman") is a famous spirit in Japanese folklore, embodying the beauty and danger of winter. To be able to show both sides of her character at once, I used her infamous sweeping black hair to hint at her inner demon. As she transforms and becomes more monstrous- so does the environment around her. Inside her doll house, she keeps other spirits trapped in an icy spell. When the boy (our protagonist) enters her home, he must try to outwit her or risk becoming a part of her frozen collection of dolls.

(The Brief) Collaborate with composer and creator Glenna Burmer to animate her vision of a world filled with mystical creatures and folklore.

(My Roles) Director of Animation, Art Director, Concept Artist, Storyboarding, and Character Design.

(The Challenge) Blend modern music, 2D animation and a 3D environment with traditional Japanese folklore and art style to tell a story entirely without dialogue.

Yokaitopia is currently on the festival circuit, so the full length version is not yet released. Below is a trailer.