designs
Something Is Eating Us
This experimental animation was the culmination of a 4-month-long exploration undertaken by Studio Kulfi for Breakfast, a cross-disciplinary team of five designers, during the De Rerum Natura exchange seminar conducted by Kunsthochschule für Medien Köln.
Ideation & Concept
Having been assigned an evocative sound piece from Studio El Palmeral, our process began with group discussions and dialogues, aiming to interpret it in a way that resonated deeply with us.
Staying true to the seminar’s theme, the narrative unfolded along the lines of humanity’s metaphorical train of ignorance, blindly chasing greed while ignoring the exploitation and destruction of both the planet and ourselves.
Moodboard
The diverse skills and unique visions of each team member merged to create an intriguing blend of styles in the final film. Crafting the mood board laid the foundation for this collaboration, where inspirations, treatments, aesthetics, emotions, and their nuances were seamlessly interwoven.
Through the visuals, we aimed to convey a raw,
unpolished feel, capturing the grim message with a sense of childlike honesty and naivety.
Character Development
The main character in the story embarks on a journey from an impressionable toddler to an oblivious youth, eventually transforming into a grotesque, greedy glutton.
As a metaphor for humanity, the monster was designed to be human-like. Its appearance captured only the simplest essence of its personality, reflecting the universal soul of modern man, childlike in understanding and blissful in ignorance.
Story Board & Final Concept
The narrative drew parallels between the train and the journey of life, wherein in each stage or coach, humanity sinks deeper into a cycle of exploitation. From birth, the young and impressionable are shaped by political propaganda, and as they grow, they succumb to an insatiable desire to consume, eventually to the point of sickness.
The final concept unfolded as a multilayered sociopolitical metaphor, portraying humanity’s gluttonous greed and utter indifference. With the
world burning in the background, these destructive patterns can ultimately end only in the inevitable embrace of nature’s final reckoning.
Exploration & Experiments
At this stage, creative liberty was embraced to experiment with various mediums and techniques, seeking the one that resonated best. Thoughtful consideration was also given to how individual strengths could be leveraged and showcased effectively to bring the final film to life.
The Sets & Props
The background sets and props were designed to align with the film’s raw and unpolished aesthetic. Repurposed waste materials were used to emphasise the theme of mindless production and overconsumption, inevitably leading to excessive wastage. Crayons were chosen for colouring to evoke a sense of childlike exploration, tying into the narrative’s essence. Props were kept simple and minimally detailed, focusing on their essence to reinforce the thematic message.
Composing & Editing
The character was brought to life through hand-drawn 2D animation, with each frame meticulously coloured individually. Guided by the keyframes, the physical sets were photographed and filmed to align with the character’s movements. The animation was then superimposed onto the photos and video scenes. During final editing, green screen techniques were used to incorporate videos into the windows and TV, adding depth and detail to the visuals.
The Final Film & Reflections
The successful production of the short film, achieved through the collaboration and synergy of five individuals with diverse skills and styles, was a deeply rewarding accomplishment.
Beyond designing and creating the sets and props, the experience provided me with invaluable lessons in team and project management, keeping the group motivated, cohesive, and on track to meet deadlines. Additionally, it offered firsthand insight into the end-to-end process of producing an animated film, making it an immensely enriching journey.
Studio Kulfi for Breakfast
It was the collaborative effort of the team that made this short film possible.
The concept, story, mood board and all other major decisions were taken in the meetings together. Later, the colouring and editing were done as a supportive team effort, with everyone pitching in remotely.
Credits:
Storyboard & Line animation: Sahil Betigeri
Character Design: Sahil Betigeri
Colouring & Clean-up: Ahona Mukherjee, Megha Lara, Saurav Singh, Rishita Loitongbam
Sets & Props: Ahona Mukherjee
Digital Backgrounds: Rishita Loitongbam
Editing: Ahona Mukherjee, Megha Lara, Saurav Singh
Poster Design: Saurav Singh
Production & Management: Ahona Mukherjee
