Aug 15, 2023

Mission Popo, by Sheridan Animation alumna Jennifer Wu, is sure to get your heart racing.

Sheridan Animation alumna Jennifer Wu posted her 2023 graduation film "Mission Popo" on Youtube.

The three-minute short film depicts a mission in which a grandmother rides a macaroni penguin bicycle through a science fiction city to bring home dinner for her family. According to director Wu, the story was inspired by two things: the amazing journey of the macaroni penguins (they often travel more than 6,200 miles each year after the summer breeding season) and her "grandma's powerful love language: food."

The animation in "Mission Popo" is sharp and well done, with a 2D aesthetic that gives the film an animated feel. The crisp camera movements add to the sense of danger in the adrenaline-fueled chase scenes (whose idea was it to strap jetpacks on sea monsters?) that culminate in an explosive climax.

The sound design by Francesco Lignanese, score by Gisla, and color design are perfect for the science fiction genre. The film feels familiar without feeling derivative. I look forward to seeing what Woo does next.

For more great BTS artwork, check out Wu's portfolio and Instagram page:

A post shared by Jennifer Wu (?)