Smids Animation Studios

Something is stirring beneath the waters… 🌊

Whispers is more than just a short film, it’s a story rooted in the traditions of the Niger Delta, where nature, culture, and mystery meet.

A quiet tale.
A powerful message.

At its heart lies a call to protect the gentle giants of our waters — manatees — and the fragile world they call home.

But this is only the beginning…

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be introducing you to the characters — their stories, their purpose, and the roles they play in this journey.

Stay close… you might just hear the whispers.

🎞📽⚡️

I start my day at Smids by reviewing my shots and understanding the intention behind each scene, then I get into animation, refining poses, polishing movement, and bringing characters to life. The most exciting part of my role is applying weight, balance, and physics to make characters feel real and tell stories through motion.

I’m most proud of working on Hadu because the story relied more on visual performance than dialogue. I focused on using movement, timing, and subtle body mechanics to communicate emotion, and I also applied my 3D knowledge to help with character proportions.

My advice to upcoming animators is to focus on the fundamentals, timing, spacing, weight, and observation. Animation is about understanding movement and storytelling, so practice consistently, study real life, and stay patient.

If I were a cartoon or Marvel character, I’d be Spider-Man expressive, dynamic, and grounded in real physics, which is the balance I aim for in my animation.