Gai Hei Yan.

Abstract

Gai Hei Yan is a 3D animation short made in collaboration with fellow 4th year animation students Ang Yi Xin and Caroline Sia Cia Ling. In the story, a cat tries to overcome her grief for her departed master by fulfilling his last wish - to complete a costume for his favourite opera actress. She encounters an unexpected visitor who teaches her that life extends beyond its end. Together, they reconcile with the unfortunate turn of events in their lives. This animation short is an attempt to revisit the disappearing art of street opera in Singapore and explores how this performance art can be expressed in the visual art of 3D animation. Through a colour palette consisting of mostly monochromatic hues with some subdued colours, a sense of nostalgia is conveyed in the overall visual style that imitates an old photograph. Xinru's tasks in the team include providing story direction, art direction, set & character design, sound design and 3D modeling, texturing and animation.