Making of - « Space Dan »

 

After presenting the making of "Ceux pour qui la Lune ne brille pas", we return to space with Space Dan, an explosive adventure by the 2024 class of MoPA’s animation school.

A birthday in zero gravity

Created by Théophile, Adrien, Matéo, Pablo, and Lucas, Space Dan represents the culmination of their five years of study at MoPA. Developed from September through mid-June, this short film allowed them to master all stages of production, from scriptwriting to final post-production touches.

Lucas shares the plot: “Our film is the story of a billionaire who decides to celebrate his birthday on a private space station he built just for the occasion.” This station includes a sphere where Dan, the main character, hosts the party, inviting “all the elite.” Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned, and the events force him to come back down to earth, at least symbolically, and reassess his priorities. The film features fourteen characters: Dan, the egocentric billionaire, and his entourage. Initially unlikeable, Dan gradually reveals a humanity that makes him more relatable to the audience. Around him are his wealthy, superficial guests, and a more humble, down-to-earth crew, emphasizing the social contrast and character differences.

A bold creative choice

During the initial stages, the team worked collaboratively on the script, image composition, and storyboard—each step discussed and decided together. Later, each member specialized according to their preferences and strengths. As a team of generalists, they each contributed to various aspects of the production, from pre-production to final rendering.

The team made a bold choice to use Unreal Engine, a game engine that’s gradually gaining traction in the animation industry. This software allowed the students to view their images in real time with dynamic lighting and perform simulations, such as clothing movement and characters animated as “rag dolls.”

The aspiring animators also took an artistic stance by embracing the artificiality of 3D: the characters are cubic, and the wireframe (construction lines) is visible, reflecting the raw look of creation software. Adrien explains that this choice is unusual and gives the film a unique aesthetic, closely mirroring their daily work environment but rarely seen by the general public. To compensate for the characters’ lack of human appeal, the team relied heavily on music, camera angles, and staging to convey emotions.

 

Some images from pre-production

Ready for liftoff!

Throughout the year, the students were supported by MoPA and its advisors, as well as a professional studio, which helped them master tools like motion capture for their characters, a cutting-edge technology that facilitates quick and precise animation of movements.

Théophile shares that his MoPA training was essential, both artistically and technically, as he had the opportunity to explore various styles throughout his studies in 3D.

The students now hope their film will reach a wide audience and be well-received at festivals. For them, Space Dan is not just a graduation project but also a call for humility and an ecological reflection that they hope to convey through these festivals.

For those interested in joining MoPA, Théophile advises researching career opportunities, as animation is as technical as it is artistic. Curiosity and the joy of learning are essential, as it’s a constantly evolving field that requires continuous training.

Everyone at MoPA’s animation school wishes Space Dan and its creators a long life, confident they will make their mark in the exciting world of 3D animation cinema!

 

Watch the film trailer