Philodendron
Project Brief:
Philodendron is a 30-45 min animated short film, currently under production.
The film tells the near future story of an adventurous young girl, Nora, born on the island of Kodiak, Alaska, a natural refuge after a worldwide ecological disaster. Nora is sent by her father on a mysterious errand to Philodendron City, source of the disaster and now a technological metropolis where machines and people are often more than they appear. As Nora learns the hidden truth about the disaster and her island home, will she be able to complete her mission and restore the natural world, or will the insidious bureaucracy that led to this disaster ensnare her as it has so many others?
Awards:
Philodendron Title Design
Accepted: Creative Quarterly No 76, June 2024 - Honorable Mention in Graphic Design
Contributions:
Blue Sky Visual Development
Character Design
Environment and Prop Design
Background Painting
Art Direction
Collaborators:
Prof. Joshua Minor - KU Department of Film and Media Studies
Director, Screen Writer, Sound Design
Prof. David Mai - KU Department of Film and Media Studies
Storyboards, Animation Supervisor, Editing and Compositing
Character Design: Nora
Nora is the protagonist of our story. An 11-14 year old girl brought up in the sheltered environment of Kodiak, Alaska. As the story begins she is just starting to comprehend the larger issues that surround her little island enclave and the world at large. Her father will send her on a mysterious mission to the big city of Philodendron.
Nora’s design leans heavily on androgynous adolescent looks, a tomboy attitude, and some shape language nods to the plants that are such an integral part of her life.
Character Design: Vincent Tsirima
Young 50’s of mixed-asian heritage, Vincent is mischievous, youthful, witty, charming, and capable of anger, Stylish in a speculative way, caring mentor and snarky iconoclast. - a dissident against the rulers of Philodendron. Nora first encounters Vincent on the streets of Philodendron city when he snatches her away to his hideout. Weary of this unpredictable character at first, Nora soon discovers Vincent is a savvy and knowledgable ally.
Character Design: Leran
Leran is Nora’s father, and head gardener on the island of Kodiak. Tall and lanky, he strikes a bird like figure with his long nose often buried in his journals. Leran is a planner and a problem solver, and the keeper of knowledge that could reverse the damage that has been done to the world. Both he and Vincent are working to change things, but where Vincent is a man of action, Leran is more cautious.
Environment Design: Kodiak Island
After the ecological disaster, Kodiak island is one of the few places in the world where soils are still fertile and natural wonders persist. This enclave of natural beauty is where the wealthy Patrons, rulers of the big cities, come to vacation and experience nature. Nora grew up on the island where her father tends the gardens for the Patrons.
