Orenda Seas

A film about adventurers who seek to prolong their journey.

[oldmandarin]

Animated Super Smash Bros Replay: Sonic VS Little Mac!

A short animation based off of a replay from a game of SSB4 Wii U! I'd like to do more if there is an interest for it ; Maybe you guys could submit some of y...

Hello all! I made this quick animated short based off of a recent (sort of embarrassing) replay between a friend of mine and I. If there ends up being more of an interest, I think it would be fun to do some based off of replays that other people submit.

[orendafilm]

  Just a recent cartoon I wanted to put out there. Also, we’ll finally be having some new developments on the “Orenda” short soon!

[oldmandarin]

Celebratory Pumpkin!

[orendafilm]

Hey all! Orenda Seas is still in development, and I've started a personal art blog!

[orendafilm]

Robert Plant - Rainbow

A hand drawn animation exploring the personal themes of “Rainbow” in relation to Lullaby and…the Ceaseless Roar. | Genero.tv - Make official music videos for global artists & record labels, and work with agencies and brands on a wide variety of exciting video projects.

Hello everyone!

Work on the film went into a 30 day hiatus after I had learned that Robert Plant was holding an open competition to create a music video for his new album. Normally I would pass on these sort of events, but he is a musician I’ve admired for a good portion of my life. So, Ingrida and I pursued it, and finished our entry after a solid month of non-stop-art-making. Check it out!

[orendafilm]

We finished as finalists!!

[orendafilm]

Robert Plant - Rainbow

A hand drawn animation exploring the personal themes of "Rainbow" in relation to Lullaby and...the Ceaseless Roar. | Genero.tv - Make official music videos for global artists & record labels, and work with agencies and brands on a wide variety of exciting video projects.

Hello everyone!

Work on the film went into a 30 day hiatus after I had learned that Robert Plant was holding an open competition to create a music video for his new album. Normally I would pass on these sort of events, but he is a musician I've admired for a good portion of my life. So, Ingrida and I pursued it, and finished our entry after a solid month of non-stop-art-making. Check it out!

[orendafilm]

It’s been pretty quite on the tumblr recently, but during the last month, the film has undergone some major transformations.

As the storyboarding progressed, problems became much more apparent. So in order to address them, many aspects of the film had to be changed/cut. I can confidently say that they were all for the better.

I’m lucky to have such skilled and talented people on board, and I wont produce a groundwork that doesn't make the best of what we have.

[orendafilm]

A fun illustration collab with Ingrida! Lines by myslef, and color by Ingrida.

[orendafilm]

Additional ship concepts by Craig Yamamoto. The lines are super aggressive. Have a look at his work; His fight sequences are excellent.

Craig's work!

[orendafilm]

Exploratory ship sketches

[orendafilm]

Pages and pages...

[orendafilm]

Fish Market BG test by Eric! We may try leaning toward more graphic elements. This way, we could have a balance between simple characters with complex backgrounds.

[orendafilm]

The animatic is finally nearing completion after a few setbacks! Meanwhile, Ingrida is working on a maquette of the Mouse Captain! (Check out her work on sculpeypups!)

[orendafilm]

With the film scripted and thumb nailed, the storyboard is underway! Every new iteration makes the crew's travels that much more surreal, but significantly more appealing than the last. As the boards develop, I'll be introducing each character in context with the boards. This way, it should be easier to visualize how such varied characters will be interacting. Each character comes aboard the ship for different reasons, but share an ultimate goal of taking the journey beyond limit.

[orendafilm]

An early concept by Eric for the Mesa Islands. The crew will meet a valuable mate here!

[orendafilm]

Another concept for the harbor from Eric. The variation in the architecture is very well balanced.

[orendafilm]

First piece of fan art! It still counts even if it's made by someone working on the project right?

[orendafilm]

Some paints of our Steam Koi! I'm excited to finally make him move!

[orendafilm]

Orenda, as I had initially read it, was defined as the inexplicable spark of drive and inspiration that compels someone to create. I later read that it was actually a term from the Iroquois, and was used to describe the animating force that existed in all beings (animate or inanimate).

 For now, I'm keeping Orenda Seas as the working title. The initial definition resonated with my own drive to make this film. Not only because of the feeling itself, but also the experience of moments beyond explanation. Moments in which it never seems there is enough time in life, because your adventures and aspirations are so grand. It is those moments that compel me to create. It is the process of creation that in turn gives breath to those moments. The title is then more about the drive to create the film and all of its experiences. Although, these are on open waters :) .

 - Michael