Coffee Breath

Coffee Breath is a story about anxiety, something that is almost unavoidable in life. Anxiety isn’t a bad thing as many would have you believe. It is a natural bodily function that helps us understand when we are stressed or in a dangerous situation. It is when we let our anxiety take control of our life when it becomes a problem. It effects every aspect of your life when you lose control and Coffee Breath is the story of how that cycle can break you.

AWARDS

2021, Audience Choice Experimental Short, St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase

https://www.vimooz.com/2021/07/26/whitaker-st-louis-filmmakers-showcase-winners-monument/

It all started with an idea.

 

It all started in this book. One night after waking up in a cold sweat with an idea for a story. I recorded my thoughts in this journal that I had laying around. This is where it all started for Coffee Breath.

Conceptualizing

  • It all started with a rough idea for a story. A concept of feelings in a way.

  • While the original idea for the short was more of an existential piece, I feel that I was able to find a balance for it all.

  • This marked the brainstorming phase! Where I was able to shift my focus on getting some visuals on paper!

  • Lots of character drawings, props and just overall getting more of an idea where i wanted to take this visually.

Pre-production!

The original script for 'Coffee Breath' looking back at it makes me realize how ambitious the original project would've turned out!

The original script for 'Coffee Breath' looking back at it makes me realize how ambitious the original project would've turned out!

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The original boards are rough but these are what guided me throughout my entire animation process.

The original boards are rough but these are what guided me throughout my entire animation process.

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I initially designed Tommy years before this short as a little project for class. He was originally planned to be an older character with a passion for jazz/blues.

I initially designed Tommy years before this short as a little project for class. He was originally planned to be an older character with a passion for jazz/blues.

As I had explored the character more he became something of a more extravagant realization of the everyday exhaustion and anxiety working as a barista.

As I had explored the character more he became something of a more extravagant realization of the everyday exhaustion and anxiety working as a barista.

The form of Tommy came naturally. Soft and round edges countered the inner turmoil and overall exhaustion that the character faced. In a way he was a reflection of my feelings as I was near the end of my schooling at Webster U.

The form of Tommy came naturally. Soft and round edges countered the inner turmoil and overall exhaustion that the character faced. In a way he was a reflection of my feelings as I was near the end of my schooling at Webster U.

And by the end Tommy was fully born!

And by the end Tommy was fully born!