Go behind-the-scenes with writer/director McKinley Benson and writer/producer Mackenzie Benson as they detail the production process, from development to sound design, of their award winning 2D film about how a couple working opposite schedules tries to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters.
Room 330 Productions has just shared with AWN The Making of Two Ships, an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the production of the award-winning short, Two Ships. Written and directed by McKinley Benson - yes, the son of Disney legend Jodi Benson, who executive produced – and co-written and produced by McKinley’s wife, Mackenzie, Two Ships tells the semi-autobiographical story of how a couple, while working opposite schedules, attempts to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters.
From storyboards to character designs, layout, color, compositing, sound design... it's all covered in this thoughtful and entertaining walk-through of the film's path from development to final creation.
Regarding his film, McKinley shared, “Two Ships is a deeply personal story — one that carries significant meaning for me, yet I believe it will resonate with others as well. At its core, it’s a story of love and the longing for connection, set against the backdrop of everyday life. In a world where our days are often dictated by schedules and routines, the film explores the beauty found in the ordinary and the quiet moments that define our relationships.
Enjoy the trailer, then dig into the detailed look at how the film was made:
A SCAD graduate, McKinley produced the short in partnership with Cola Animation Collective, working remotely with all of his animation team. Bruno Caetano produced for Cola.
This film was made using traditional 2D frame by frame animation (digital) with a very small animation team consisting of only four artists: Ala Nunu, Olga Brańska, Ana Iutes, and Bofan Liu. The entire process was conducted remotely, spanning Portugal, Poland, the UK, and the USA, facilitated through online communication.
The backgrounds were hand-drawn by Priya Kakati and painted by Leah Chun. Additionally, David Mateus and Jakub Kaczmarek collaborated on the coloring of the character animation.
Source: Room 330 Productions
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
