Dreaming Of Ewe
Overview
Led the creation of an original stop-motion animated short following a white sheep who confronts fear and discovers bravery within a dreamlike world. The project combined storytelling, character design, set creation, animation, cinematography, and post-production to create an engaging narrative experience focused on emotion, pacing, and visual storytelling.
Project Type: Stop Motion Animation
Software & Equipment Used:
DragonFrame, Krita, Adobe Premiere Pro, Canon DSLR Camera
My Role
As the project lead, I guided the creative direction and managed the overall production process from concept development through final delivery. I was responsible for story development, storyboarding, animatic creation, puppet design, animation planning, studio setup, filming, editing, and post-production. I collaborated with teammates throughout the project by assigning tasks, organizing workflow, and ensuring the final animation maintained a consistent creative vision.
Project Goals & Results
The goal of this project was to create a fully developed stop-motion animation that demonstrated effective storytelling, animation principles, and production planning within a limited timeframe.
Goals
- Develop an original narrative with strong character emotion and visual storytelling
- Apply stop-motion animation techniques, including timing, movement, and composition
- Create a cohesive visual style through character, set, and lighting design
- Manage the full animation workflow from concept to final export
- Document the creative process through a behind-the-scenes documentary
Results
- Successfully completed a fully animated short film and production documentary
- Created original characters, assets, and environments to support the story
- Managed the animation pipeline from pre-production through post-production
- Developed experience leading a creative project while balancing collaboration and deadlines
Process
Brainstorm Ideas
The project began with brainstorming possible story concepts and exploring different themes, characters, and visual directions. Through collaboration and iteration, I helped guide the story into a clear narrative focused on overcoming fear and discovering bravery.
Storyboarding
Once the story was finalized, my teammates created a storyboard to plan each scene’s composition, camera movement, character actions, and overall pacing. This helped establish the visual structure of the animation before production began.
Animatic
With the storyboard complete, I developed an animatic to test timing, transitions, and storytelling flow. The animatic became a key production guide, helping determine the number of frames needed and ensuring the final animation maintained consistent pacing.
Paper Puppet Construction
Using the animatic as a reference, I designed and constructed the paper puppets used throughout the animation. I created articulated joints and reusable double-sided pieces to improve movement efficiency and reduce the number of assets needed during production.
Studio Set Up
Before filming, I prepared the animation workspace by setting up the camera, lighting, and physical environment. I adjusted the lighting design to create a nighttime atmosphere while ensuring the camera remained stable and the scene stayed consistent between frames.
Animation Production
I led the animation process and coordinated production workflow throughout filming. The animation was completed over three days using DragonFrame, with footage reviewed after each session to identify issues, reshoot necessary scenes, and maintain a smooth final sequence.
Post-Production
After filming was complete, I edited the animation in Adobe Premiere Pro to refine pacing, add sound effects, incorporate text and credits, and create a polished final experience. I also helped edit the behind-the-scenes documentary showcasing the development process.
Publication
The completed animation and documentary were exported and prepared for presentation. The final project demonstrated the full creative process from initial concept through final production while showcasing storytelling, animation, and project management skills.
Takeaways
One of the most valuable lessons from creating this animation was how much the visuals shapes the final outcome. Designing and building every paper puppet, then animating each movement, made it clear how intentional every visual decision needs to be, from character design to staging, color, and motion. It also reinforced how important pacing is in supporting both the story and the visuals, and how small timing adjustments can completely change the way a scene feels. This project highlighted the importance of craftsmanship, visual clarity, and iteration throughout the animation process.
Successes
This is my favorite video project, largely because of the level of ownership I had over the visuals. Every puppet was designed and created by hand, and all of the animation was done individually, giving me full control over the look and feel of the piece. I’m especially proud of the visual interest and overall beauty of the animation, the textures, layered paper elements, and compositions create a style that feels engaging and intentional in every frame. While the story is clear and lighthearted, it’s the visuals that really carry it, using movement, contrast, and composition to keep the viewer’s attention and bring the world to life.
Changes
If I had more time, I would push the animation further by incorporating more squash and stretch to enhance movement and add a greater sense of weight and energy. I would also refine the pacing in certain areas to better highlight key moments and improve the overall flow. These changes would strengthen both the visual impact and the clarity of the animation, making the final piece feel even more polished and dynamic.
Documentary
Contact
I’m always excited to connect and discuss new opportunities, projects, or collaborations. Whether you have a question, a project idea, or want to work together, feel free to reach out!