Animated Short Film / Visual Development
A visual exploration of emotional contradictions: when the warmth of a tropical space collides with the coldness of a relationship.
A visual exploration of emotional contradictions: when the warmth of a tropical space collides with the coldness of a relationship.
Concept & Visual Direction
Storyboard by Benigno Adib
This project explores the theme of "Deadpan Romance". Drawing inspiration from the color palette and atmosphere of Le Bonheur (Agnès Varda) and the poetic silence of The Scent of Green Papaya (Tran Anh Hung).
We built a visual irony: the surrounding environment (the house) is overflowing with blooming flowers, rich colors, and warm tropical sunlight. However, the romance and interaction between the two main characters feel dull, stiff, and cold.
The main directorial focus is on the characters' expressions. The camera intentionally highlights their deadpan, emotionless faces, standing in stark contrast to their living, breathing environment.
Character Design by Yusuf Rafi
Set in 1970s–1980s Indonesia, the character design draws reference from the fashion and classic aura of Indonesian cinema, specifically Lewat Djam Malam (After the Curfew).
Clothing & Silhouette:
70s/80s casual wear with a touch of past formality (vintage shirt cuts, traditional fabrics, or a simplified house kebaya).
Gestures & Expressions:
Stiff, distant, and melancholic. The facial lines are drawn to emphasize empty or tired gazes, creating a tangible emotional distance even when they share the same physical space.
Clothing & Silhouette:
70s/80s casual wear with a touch of past formality (vintage shirt cuts, traditional fabrics, or a simplified house kebaya).
Gestures & Expressions:
Stiff, distant, and melancholic. The facial lines are drawn to emphasize empty or tired gazes, creating a tangible emotional distance even when they share the same physical space.
Background Illustration
Background & Illustration by Fahmi Wahyu, Hafiz Noya Prasetyo, Dimas Septian Rakasiwi, Benigno Adib
Animation Sketch / Animatic
Animatic by Benigno Adib & Yusuf Rafi
The rough animation stage focuses heavily on timing and micro-expressions. Before the oil painting textures and colors are applied, we ensure that subtle gestures, like an awkward sideways glance, a heavy sigh, or a hesitant hand movement, read clearly through the line-art. The movement is intentionally slow-paced to reinforce the deadpan atmosphere and the lingering awkwardness between the two characters.
The final result seamlessly integrates the animated characters with the digital oil painting backgrounds. The lighting is adjusted to create a soft depth of field, bringing focus to the characters' cold faces amidst the lush flowers and the warmth of the neocolonial afternoon light. It is a dead romance inside the liveliest of rooms.
Credits:
Directed by Jovian Fraaije & Benigno Adib | Animation Director: Benigno Adib | Script Writer: Jovian Fraaije
Character Design: Mohammad Yusuf Rafi | Character Animation: Mohammad Yusuf Rafi, Benigno Adib, Muvi Naufal |
Background Artist & Illustrator: Fahmi Wahyu, Hafiz Noya Prasetyo, Dimas Septian Rakasiwi, Benigno Adib |
Motion Artist: Benigno Adib, Devana Mozaik | Compositing: Benigno Adib
Directed by Jovian Fraaije & Benigno Adib | Animation Director: Benigno Adib | Script Writer: Jovian Fraaije
Character Design: Mohammad Yusuf Rafi | Character Animation: Mohammad Yusuf Rafi, Benigno Adib, Muvi Naufal |
Background Artist & Illustrator: Fahmi Wahyu, Hafiz Noya Prasetyo, Dimas Septian Rakasiwi, Benigno Adib |
Motion Artist: Benigno Adib, Devana Mozaik | Compositing: Benigno Adib