Origin

A Short Film


TITLE: The Origin of Broken Antler

ROLES: Director, Designer, Animator

Description:

Probably the single most popular and possibly only question I get asked is ‘where did the name Broken Antler come from’, and I decided that rather than explain the origin of the name, I’d create a film.

So I did.

Night scene with a large moon with a face and eyes, a blue house, and a forest with all the trees outlined in white.

PROCESS

In 2025, I realised Broken Antler turned 20, and I thought I should mark the occasion.

So I started by penning the real and very true story of where the name came from. Once I had this, I created this beautiful and incredibly detailed animatic you can see in the ‘Animatic Vs Final’ video.

Obviously, it was just for me, so the looseness of the scribbles was perfectly fine. I do better ones for client presentations, honest!

Then I started character designs and background work. This turned into a labour of, not love, but fun. I was having a blast making this. I fitted it in and around client work, completing a scene at a time, before editing it all together.

I did a lot more work in Procreate than I have done previously, and the techniques I learnt on this were very helpful on other client projects I worked on. All assembled in AE and Premiere, with the colour work actually being done at the end. Initially, I had a colour palette, but I changed pretty much 95% of the colours. Something I’d have seethed over if required to do that on a client film. I actually probably wouldn’t do it that way around again either. Colour work takes time and is difficult, but it is worth getting it right early on. Less of a faff!

I had fun with the sound design and music, and making the trailer. Elaine made me re-record the VO and do a better job. I did try an AI voice, but it’s a personal, very true story, about me, so I had to voice it. I’ll take VO booking soon.

Illustration of a person in striped pajamas running with a flashlight against a background of purple and pink abstract shapes.
A person on a skateboard pushing off with their hand on a skateboard in a skate park at night.
Person working at a computer desk with a plant on the side in an office setting.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Mask Mischief Maker himself will return. I think I unexpectedly tapped into a universe I hadn’t planned on when I set out making this. Stupid ideas just keep flowing, and where a stupid idea is, I’m not far away wanting to bring it to life. I’m not sure if I’ll feature much in these. I’m not an in front of the camera kinda guy. Explains the mask, my love of animation, and film-making. I’ll keep you posted. Possibly!

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