She Who Fights Dragons took place in a 3D animated pop-up storybook being terrorized by a 2D animated dragon, who was being pursued by a knight who’s animation was a hybrid of the two.
Our Knight character moved like a complex paper-cut-out doll so while her body was animated in 3D, her face was 2D.
The Dragon was animated traditionally and composited into the 3D world in After Effects. The concept for a creature comprised of ink lent itself well to an expressive and fluid character.
Lots of R&D went into achieving the look and motion desired for the final film, but one of the toughest to execute was the sequence when the Knight is enchanted with gold leaf.
She Who Fights Dragons was a practicum film produced at Columbia College Chicago over two semesters with a mix of 2D and 3D animators.
Dragon Concept Art
Figure painted out with water first, then ink dripped on to create splotchy and decrepit look.
Paper World Concept Art
Watercolor textures collaged digitally, exploring what paper world might look like.