SUBMERSED
Began in 2022 with a pitch by director Ector Troncoso, Submersed is our first project and has an original story combining 2D and 3D animation, following three explorers on an alien planet, VITA I. The three explorers, Audre, Jean-Luc, and George, explore through the uncharted planet on their submersible, the ATHENA I as they are tempted to venture off course. Soon, they find themselves surrounded by oceanic mystery, horrifying discoveries, and frustrations with each other that they cannot escape.
THE WORLD
VITA I
Is an ocean planet teeming with life that was recently discovered. AASTRO has only scratched the surface of research into the flora and fauna of the planet, with unknown biomes in the depths of the planet, and mysterious creatures lurking in the ravines beyond the surface of the planet.
The Abyss
Deep underwater the roots of the underwater sponges and mushrooms take root along the ocean floor and grow to the surface, making mushrooms that are several hundred meters tall. Smaller mushrooms grow along the ocean floor and roots and light up the area.
The Ravine
Is a range of long craters that span much of the surface of VITA I. Deep where the light doesn’t reach, it is only lit by geothermal vents and cracks along the ocean floor.
The Creatures
LEONTIADYS PERHYPSOPHIC - “Brian”
Is an aggressive pack hunter that lurks in the ravines of VITA I. It uses its stunning blue or green glows to captivate potential prey.
Modeled By: Ashley Pulliam
Cervellaherbi artilius - “Zilly”
Is a deep sea cethalopod that lives within the abyss of VITA I. It lives among the giant mushrooms, and uses its luminescence to ward off predators. It is an omnivore, and uses its long claw to grab smaller creatures.
Modeled By: Emma Fulkerson
Textures By: Ector Troncoso, Tessa Kissick
Textures By: Tessa Kissick . Ector Troncoso
Catella Acplasest - “Kurt”
Is the largest recorded mammal on VITA I, and lives in the deep ocean between the ravine and abyss. A filter feeder that passively swims through the ocean, eating whatever swims near its mouth. Due to its size, it often swims alone.
Modeled By: Gareth Brewer
The Characters
Voiced By: Andre Refig
Design and Textures By: Tessa Kissick
Voiced By: Mia Rodriguez
The ATHENA I
ATHENA I
Emily Savos, Paige-Powell Revis
Meet The Crew!
Ector Troncoso - Director, Story Lead, art director
Hello! I’m Ector Troncoso, the director of Submersed. Aside from directing this project, I am also a visual development artist that recently graduated from SCAD. When I am not working on film projects, I’m usually studying film, playing games with friends, or practicing piano. I’m SUPER excited to show you all what we’ve been working on!
emily savos - modeling lead
Hello! I am Emily Savos, the modeling lead for Submersed. I am a recent SCAD graduate living up in Boston. I love video games, writing, weaving, and my three cats!
Jonathan Gibney - Previs Lead
Hello everyone! I’m Jonathan Gibney, the Previs Lead on the brilliant team of Submersed! I am a SCAD Alumni with a degree in Animation, and minors in Dramatic Writing, Film, Television, and Drawing. In my free time, when I am not working or geeking out over film, I enjoy writing, hiking, and drawing. Recently, I have been studying how to push my animation.
Hey there, name's Manuel Alveyra, but you can call me Manu! I'm the 2D animation lead for Submersed. I'm a CSUF graduate with a BFA in Entertainment Art/Animation residing in SoCal. Outside of art, I like to play video games, hang out with friends, attend cons, and collect animation cels. You can find me on Instagram at @6hairties, on Bluesky at @manuious, and on Twitter/X at @manuious. Besides 2D animation, I also design characters and create storyboards!
Victoria void - 2D clean up lead
Hey hey! I’m Victoria, a freelance 2D animation generalist, currently residing in Montenegro. On Submersed, I am the 2D Clean Up Lead! I sleep for 15 hours, drink coffee, watch some silly cat videos (I’m a huge cat person), draw for myself, play DND & video games or go hiking in my spare time.
JOVAN BAILEY - PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Hey! My name is Jovan Bailey, but most people know me as JoJo! I recently graduated with a BFA in Animation. If I’m not drawing, I’m usually at the gym, biking or going for a run. Whenever I get the chance, I try to do nature sketches and snuggle myself up with a book. Sanderson and Scott Lynch are my favorites right now!
Olivia Kowalsky - Producer
Hi there! I am Olivia or Olive, and I am the producer for the Submersed short film. You can find me working on storyboards and visual development on my free-time, and I previously worked on storyboards for film, short film, and advertisements! I enjoy storyboarding for action and fantasy the most.
Story
Visual Development
DARCY LEEMAN - RIGGING LEAD
Hello everyone! My name is Darcy Leeman, and I am a SCAD Alumni with a degree in Animation and a minor in Game Design. It’s been super cool to watch the creature start to come to life with all the bones I made, and I get to experiment with new ways to streamline the process. In my free time, I love to game, watch the stars, and make art, usually about my current DND character.
Gareth Brewer - 3D Animation Lead
Hi there, my name is Gareth, and I’ve been doing 3D animations, models, layouts and concept work for 6 years, art management for 3, and screenwriting for 2. I love anything that relies on creature designs and deep world-building. If I’m not on ZBrush, I’m usually out exploring with my camera or drawing at the zoo.
Angsane Sallud Pujade-Renaud - 2D ANimation LEad
Hi everyone, my name is Angsane Sallud Pujade-Renaud, and I am the 2D Animation lead on Submersed. I am French, but I live in Copenhagen. I am a former graduate from The Animation Workshop, and the past year I have been working in Paris for Studio La Cachette. In my free time, I like to go climbing, to write stories, and to travel. If I was not working in animaiton, I would open a Cat Cafe.
Simon Ardoin - 2D FX Lead
Hey y'all, I'm Simon, and I'm the 2D FX lead on Submersed. I hail from the heart of Texas and graduated from SCAD back in 2022 with a BFA in Animation and Storyboarding, though I travel around a lot at the moment. Aside from my artistic work, I am a huge nature lover and spend almost all my time outside, building new enclosures for my numerous pets, or maybe at a metal show somewhere late in the evening.
Isaac McMichael - Production assistant
Hey! I’m Isaac McMichael, one of the PA’s of the Submersed film. I’m currently a college junior in Virginia studying Studio Arts and Cinematics. I love all things 2D animation. Sleep is my mortal enemy, I need the time to catch up on reading Sanderson books. And I love to travel anywhere there’s good food. I’m terrified of heights, but I love to go rock climbing and flying.