Description of Work

A Fisherman's Friend - 2022 - 3D Animation - NFS

Artist's Statement

My BFA Thesis is a 3D and 2D animated short about a fisherman named George learning how to change by making an unexpected friend named Spits. Spits, a cat, is naturally at ends with George but becomes a good influence on him and shows him how to change for the better. In my project I explore the idea of family, change, acceptance and selflessness. In A Fisherman’s Friend, George overcomes his differences with Spits when he sees how Spits resembles his past and family. With the familiarity of the past helping him, George is able to overcome his previous biases. This story was inspired by my dad and his cat who he begrudgingly befriended, even though he originally wanted to get rid of her and claimed he didn’t like cats. Now the two are inseparable, I wanted my project to reflect this sharp contrast in relationship that they have now compared to when they first met.

In A Fisherman’s Friend, the world and George are rendered in 3D while Spits is animated in 2D. This is to help aid the idea of change, for Spits to invoke change he must first be different enough from the norm of the world that George currently lives in. Spits is also animated in 2D because I wanted him to be dynamic and full of emotion and expression, as well as cute. My vision is to blend together 2D and 3D seamlessly while simultaneously keeping the charm of both to create a cohesive and emotional piece.

If you wish to purchase any of these pieces, please contact the gallery director, Jacqueline Nathan (jnathan@bgsu.edu.)