Cup of Joe

‘Cup of Joe’ is a short animated film produced by a team of animation students called the ‘Déjà Brew’. This team production is completed for the module ‘Final Major Signature Project’ within a span of 8 months. Though the overall animation is made with a 3D software (Autodesk Maya), it is set to achieve a 2D looking animation.

Since my story pitch was chosen, I was assigned as the director of the team production. I was responsible for fixing the storyline throughout the whole project and lead the team as we worked closely to finish everything up in time. Besides being the director, I was assigned as the Lead of Texturing, Shading, and Lighting Department since I knew best of how I would like to have the final outcome to look like.

Synopsis:
The story starts off with Joseph, the protagonist, who works as a barista at the local café. Sofia the waitress works alongside him to serve the customers. Every once a week, Joseph finds an anonymous appreciation note complimenting/ thanking for the drink. By the end of each note, a brightly coloured sticker is adhered onto it. He begins collecting the appreciation notes on the mini fridge and looks forward to find out who the unknown customer is. Three weeks have passed, and Joseph has not receive any usual appreciation notes since. One afternoon, Sofia receives a call and has to leave urgently. Joseph is left to take care of the cafe himself. As Joseph is attending to a customer, he finds out the identity of the anonymous notes sender. Joseph serves the unknown customer her order and hands her a note saying “Coffee’s on me”.