We're really excited to bring this shot to you today because it's likely the first time you've ever seen anything like it!
One of the first things we encourage our students to do is to really think outside the box and animate a shot that is unique and has never been done before. We get a lot of students whose first thought is to animate something we've seen before, just with a different colour.
We emphasise as much as possible that we can absolutely do anything we want with animation, and we try to push our students to be really creative with their ideas and find that shot that is uniquely theirs.
That is exactly what Kevin Taylor has done during his 6-week mentorship at Lupin House under the guidance of Steven J. Morris.
This shot is as entertaining as it is beautifully animated. If you pause this shot on any frame, it reads beautifully. The beats, the accents—everything is on point and your not likely to forget it anytime soon!
We thought we’d better get the man himself to answer some questions!
What an awesome and unique shot! What was your inspiration behind it?
Thank you! The dialogue itself was all the inspiration I needed. I was captivated by the awkwardness in their voices, and it sparked so many ideas for me to bring to my mentor. For me, when a piece of dialogue triggers multiple creative possibilities, it’s exciting!
You did brilliantly with the performances of both characters. What were the biggest challenges you had to overcome during this process?
Thank you! Since this was a two-person dialogue, I had to ensure both characters stood out individually while complementing each other. Creating contrast in their performances was key to strengthening their interaction. My biggest challenge was ensuring the audience’s focus flowed naturally between them without getting too distracted by one over the other, all while keeping both characters engaging and alive.
How did you make the fire?!I
It’s actually quite simple! I used a piece of geometry shaped like a teardrop to mimic the flame, combined with a few animation layers to create the flickering effect. I really enjoyed adding subtle details, like having the flame react to movement around it, which I think helped sell its believability. It’s a small detail, and maybe I’m the only one who notices it, but I think it adds that extra touch! It’s great to see such an out-of-the-box animation!
What advice would you give to animators who are trying to come up with unique ideas?
I recently watched an animation where the main character was sitting behind a desk as an office clerk, wearing glasses, with a book as a prop and a pc. What really stood out to me was how the character interacted with these objects—the way they adjusted their glasses, turned in the chair, and used the book—all of it added personality and brought the character to life in a unique way. So, in my own shot, I focused on how the character lit the candle and interacted with their environment to support their personality. It’s not just about what they do, but how they do it.
Secondly, using a nude character was a challenge that hopefully paid off to its uniqueness. I hadn’t seen it been done before in a similar vein and thought it might help me stand out.
How beneficial was the mentorship for you in animating this shot?
The mentorship was absolutely invaluable. On a shot like this, where I was often second-guessing myself due to its concept, having a second pair of eyes was crucial. Just like in a production environment, having a lead to guide you keeps you on track and helps you see things you might overlook when you’re deep in the details. Stephen, my mentor, played a huge role in shaping this shot. From our first meeting, we brainstormed ideas, discussed the dialogue, and arrived at the concept together. It’s funny how, in the end, we landed on animating a nude character simply because we couldn’t find the right outfit! It just goes to show how spontaneous creativity can be.
How was your overall experience at Lupin House?
It was brilliant! I really clicked with my mentor, who not only helped guide me through the shot but also offered fantastic ideas on how to approach it. Lupin House gave me an excellent glimpse into the industry, answering all my burning questions about feature animation, how the industry works, and what it’s like to be part of it.
What made you decide to take a mentorship at Lupin House?
Lupin’s setup is similar to other well-known online animation courses, with some fantastic rigs, structured projects for building a strong showreel piece.
Most importantly, their flexibility! their non-semester approach was perfect. I knew that to break into the feature film industry, I needed mentorship from someone who was actively working in that space. Having a mentor who lives and breathes this every day was key to helping me produce work that meets the industry’s high standards.What did you take away from the mentorship?While the goal was to create a polished piece of animation, the process itself became just as valuable. Every animation you work on teaches you something new, especially the challenging ones. It’s not just about showcasing your skills; it’s about leveling up through the process. Each project builds your confidence and pushes you to grow as an animator.
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