Mail Mischief

IAT 344 Animation
Jan - Apr 2025
Group Project

Tools: Maya Autodesk, Arnold Renderer. Premiere Pro, After Effects
Skills: 3D Animation, 3D Modeling, 3D Rigging, Lighting
‍Role: Producer, 3D Animator, Environment Artist and Modeller, Lead Light Designer, Concept Artist
‍Group Members: Monica, Nima, Katrina, Venus

Background

Mail Mischief is a short animated film that blends charm with emotional storytelling, following a mischievous cat thief and the unexpected bond he forms with a kitten. Developed collaboratively over the term, the film explores themes of identity, shame, and redemption through expressive animation and environmental design. With no dialogue, the story is told entirely through character movement, facial expressions, music, and sound design. Our goal was to craft a heartfelt narrative that communicates growth and connection through visual and emotional cues.

Process and Iteration

Our process began with group brainstorming, where we landed on the idea of a mail-stealing cat. The story went through multiple revisions, shaped by feedback and team discussions. I contributed to story structure, character design, and visual planning. Weekly deadlines kept us on track, with roles rotating based on availability and technical issues. We used Maya for modeling and animation, and editing was completed in Premiere Pro. Key adjustments were made after critiques, such as rewriting scenes, reworking character designs, and reorganizing shots.

My Role and Contribution

I took on multiple key roles in this project, including concept art, revised scriptwriting, environment light design, and animation. While as the lead animator for several scenes, I also stepped in to animate additional shots when a teammate faced a personal emergency. In addition, I was responsible for modeling the environment and developing concept art, as well as handling the lighting for every scene. Throughout the production, I focused on ensuring the story remained emotionally grounded and visually cohesive, supporting both the narrative and the overall tone of the film.

cover img for mail mischief

Conclusion

This project presented several challenges, from technical breakdowns to story clarity. A recurring issue was making sure the plot was understandable without dialogue. We overcame this by using feedback loops, visual storytelling techniques, and frequent team calls to refine each scene. I learned the importance of adaptability, especially when stepping in to support others mid-project. Mail Mischief taught me how to communicate narrative through subtle details and reinforced how collaboration and trust are essential to creative problem-solving.

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