Every great project starts with a concept, and my animated short film was no exception. The initial spark came from brainstorming three different ideas for a previs, or pre-visualization. After much thought, I landed on a story about a robot with a compelling backstory. This robot wasn’t always a machine; it was once a human being. The central conflict? The robot is desperate to travel through time and alternate universes to save its family.
The concept evolved as I worked. Initially, I didn’t even have a clear reason for why the scientist (who later became the robot) needed to time travel. But as I dug deeper, the story unfolded naturally. Adding depth to the character the transformation from human to robot and the emotional drive behind their actions gave the narrative meaning and weight. These moments of creative discovery are what make animation projects so exciting.
Although the idea seemed simple at first, the story’s complexity grew. What happens when the technology glitches? In my film, the glitch forces the robot to destroy everything, adding tension and high stakes. This shift gave me a solid foundation to build the world and visuals that would follow.
This first step taught me that the story comes first. Without a strong concept, the visuals, no matter how stunning, won’t resonate. The story is the soul of the project, and I made sure mine had enough heart to carry the rest.
