Uploaded March 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Watch Watermelon Girl: youtube.com/watch?v=9ZLT7i4BDcM

@SouthernShotty just released a short film FIVE YEARS in the making, and you can watch it right now on his channel. Watermelon Girl is a masterfully crafted 3D animated story that will warm your heart. Be sure to go watch it if you haven't, then come back and listen to this conversation where I ask lots of questions about the creative process, technical hurdles, and turning a passion project into years of fruitful content.

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Learn After Effects: jakeinmotion.com/launch-into-after-effects

Chapters
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:32 How did Watermelon Girl Begin?
00:02:38 Multiple Failures
00:06:18 Passion Project to YouTube Presence
00:08:04 Setting Multiple Goals
00:10:25 Overcoming Challenges
00:16:30 Crafting the Story
00:23:26 Voice Over
00:25:04 Music
00:32:19 Sourcing Feedback
00:36:30 Creative Animation Choices
00:43:24 Real-World Cameras and Lighting
00:50:52 Working With Scale
00:53:38 Blender Updates
00:55:07 Scene Optimization
00:56:47 Third-Party Tools
01:00:39 Haha, butt.
01:02:58 What's Next For SouthernShotty?
01:04:33 Practical Advice