SPACED OUT
An animated short introducing a retro-futuristic world where a space cowboy is forced to explore the existential space between their misaligned body and soul.
PROCESS
Story Boarding
Our story begins when a cosmic outlaw, Rory, takes a pit stop at the drinkery on a mission for the intergalactic cartel and runs into a scorned past lover. With a spellbound pendant, the past lover and witch, Sansevieria, extracts Rory’s essence from within them and bolts with their bodily form. This separation of body and soul presents a dual story-line, and with it lends a space to explore feelings of existentialism. Without their soul, Rory is forced to face the feeling of lacking purpose and drive. The aim in exploring this existential space through Rory’s narrative is to bring empathy and recognition to those feeling lost and lacking direction.
Style Frames
The cartoon is drawn in a surrealist, illustrative style inspired by comic books and traditional tattooing. This aesthetic is meant to capture an audience of nonconformists: Those who must pave their own path are more likely to feel lost and connect with this story. It also employs a conjoined style of retro-futurism, exploring themes of the tension between past and future, and the alienation and empowerment of technology.
SETTING
Planet Zearth
To the left is the original concept drawing of Planet Zearth and it’s satellite, Gyri. Planet Zearth was built up to resemble Earth but it isn’t quite the same, feeling almost as a parallel universe. There are futuristic qualities but not in a utopian sense- technology is more abundant but just as faulty as it is today, to give a sense of humility and relatability.
The 3D rendering of Zearth and its satellites was created by stretching the hand-drawn textures shown below over 3D shapes.
The pink satellite, Gyri, was named after the folds of the brain. It acts as a collective conscience that the Zearthlings can tap into via their brain chips.
Arleen's
3D rendered bar setting filled with 2D drawn characters based off of Arlin’s on Ludlow in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Screenshot of Cinema 4D workspace
Art Wall
The wall decor incorporates past pieces that I created along with one graphic from another local artist.
 Earth 2 Mars, digitally illustrated infographic, 2020, Maya Hehemann |  Sluts Rule, neon wire on black board, 2017, Maya Hehemann |  Feelings Forever Fleeting, digital illustration, 2020, Maya Hehemann |  Secrets Hotline Poster, printed graphic, 2021, Allyson Shown |
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 Triple Threat Corvette, digital illustration, 2021, Maya Hehemann |  Holy Hell, digital illustration, 2020, Maya Hehemann |  Sweet Teeth Shit Talk, oil paint on canvas, 2020, Maya Hehemann |  Space Dust, acrylic paint on canvas, 2020, Maya Hehemann |
 The Steel Man, digital collage featuring illustration by Imre Sebok, 2020, Maya Hehemann |
CHARACTERS
Rory
The name Rory is of Gaelic origin meaning “red king.” Our Rory is an androgynous space cowboy with an air of machismo that masks their inner femininity. Donned in the skin of a space cat, they take on missions from the intergalactic cartel on the back of a spegasus wielding their weapon of choice, the thunder gun.
Sansevieria
The name Sansevieria comes from the scientific name of the plant more commonly known as the snake tongue. She is a gifted sorceress who dabbles in the darker side of mysticism. In her craft she uses a variety of enchanted accessories including, but not limited to: three bejeweled daggers, a spellbound ouroboros pendant, and a deathly poison ring.
The Boners
The band plays original songs that I wrote specifically for the score: 'Howdy' & 'Dooty'. The members are the bones of musicians who have passed away.
T-Bone Walker
Bill Black
Sam Lay
Soul Cloud
The physical representation of a soul, inspired by the form of the deepstaria jelly whorls. This section includes the original concept sketches for a soul and screenshots of the video that introduced and inspired the final form.
(Click here to see video)
Bennie
Bennie was the original protagonist but did not live up to the caliber of the main character, so now he acts as just another hippie cowboy at the bar.
QWERTY
A robot bartender that speaks in harmonica.
