Shotopop has released a new animated short, Workout Demon, a passion project that captures the raw, emotional shift that can happen on an exercise bike.

The film follows Jordan, who returns home after a “crappy day” and appears ready to stew on it throughout the evening. A class notification on their watch prompts a decision about whether to commit to a workout. They reluctantly begin riding, and the experience quickly transforms… how quickly things can change…

The studio’s “love letter to exercise, Workout Demon was born out of genuine affection (and a bunch of sweat), cinematic and heartfelt; digging deep to “share the emotional core of how a good workout can impact our day-to-day.”

The studio has also shared extensive development materials on its website, including character designs, early motion tests, and progress films that track the evolution of shots from rough iterations through to final animation.

Workout Demon has been in development since January 2022, produced in intervals between client work. The concept originated with creative directors Carin Standford and Casper Franken, who drew on their own experiences as Peloton users and the emotional changes associated with exercising after a challenging day. Music and sound design for the short were created by Zelig.

Shotopop is a design, illustration, and animation studio based in East London. The studio works across a range of mediums including traditional cel animation, 3D, and motion graphics, with a focus on illustration, design, and storytelling.

Recent projects from the studio include the visual identity system for Marvel’s Deadpool VR, a three-part animation series for the KidSuper x Mercedes-Benz collaboration, and Clash Royale: Heroes take the Crown for Supercell and Uncommon.

Source: Shotopop