INSPIRATION

The inception of this project originated with an amalgamation of three separate ideas submitted by Creative Media Lab participants in the Co-Toons branch of the program. One idea was a straight-forward fantasy adventure featuring a knight, a thief, and a wizard. Another idea involved a warlock beast transforming his captives into cattle.

What culminated after a brainstorm was to mash these ideas together to make a fun and artful film about rebellion and friendship. “Friends as thick as thieves” was the energy we were going for.

We’ve been taking inspiration from numerous media ranging from videogames like Jet Set Radio and Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, to anime like Tekkonkinkreet. The goal is to have an ecclectic feel filled with graffiti and cyber-funk influences.

The inception of this whole project was to create an opportunity for the participants of Spectrum Productions Creative Media Lab to work in a professional collaborative animation project. This is a special and new animation-focused branch of Creative Media Lab that we are calling “Co-Toons” - a sister department to “Co-Lab”, which is focused on live-action productions.

In a police state controlled and overlooked by authoritarian rule, a pair of rebellious street artists endevour to rescue their captive friend, escape and embarrass the Sheriff dubbed “Warlock”, and make the train out of town on time. Sounds simple... Right?

Felipe Arasanz

Project Lead

Kathleen Tuck

Lead Animator

KEY CHARACTERS

Leader of the pack, Blacksheep is a grafitti artist and rebel to the core. Ever the optimist, there is no obstacle too big or too small that will stop him from being free. Skateboard under his feet, and loud music in his ears, Blacksheep is the quintessential fly in the authoritarian ointment.

Lurking in the shadows and quick on her feet, thief is always watching her team’s backs. If something isn’t nailed down, it is most certain it will end up in theif’s pockets. She will stop at nothing to help her friends even at her own risk.

Strong headed and brave, knight can take on anything that gets in his way. He is always there when a quick get away is needed. He’s not afraid to be the first to throw a punch and will stop at nothing to protect his team.

The “Big Boss” that runs the city. The minotaur Warlock is cunning and deceivious. He cares little for his own and even less of others. He will stop at nothing to keep his city in “pristine” condition and locks up anyone that defiles it’s walls.

THE CREW

Jasmine Guerra

Lead Animator

Anthony Campoli

Unreal Design and compositing

Editor

Sound design

Adrien Nicholas

Story

Concept Development

Animation

Ben Bisanti