‘Mission Popo’ From Sheridan Animation Alumni Jennifer Wu Is Sure To Get Your Heart Racing
Sheridan Animation alumni Jennifer Wu has posted her 2023 thesis film Mission Popo to Youtube, and it’s a thrilling watch.
In the three-minute short, a grandma rides her macaroni penguin bike through a sci-fi city on a mission to bring dinner home for her family. According to Wu, the story was inspired by two things, the incredible journeys of the Macaroni penguins – which often migrate more than 6,200 miles after each summer breeding season – and her “grandmother’s powerful love language: food.”
The animation in Mission Popo is sharp and well-executed, with a 2d aesthetic that gives it an anime-like feel. Crisp camera movements heighten the sense of danger in an adrenaline-filled chase scene (whose idea was it to put a jetpack on a sea monster?) which culminates in an explosive climax.
The film’s sound design – done by Francesco Rignanese, score – by Gisula, and color scheme all hit the right notes for the sci-fi genre. The film feels familiar, without feeling derivative. We can’t wait to see what Wu does next.
For some great BTS artwork, check out Wu’s portfolio and Instagram page:
