Hero Training | Short Animation (NOT AI)

We started making these videos a few years ago, before the giant wave of AI content came and shook things up a bit...

We're a couple of animators and a former firefighter - and a fluffy baby of course.

Check out our other videos on YouTube!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxU75Ve58J0&list=PLU-NOEuFJKIP0ff90uAQEBrtNRToYwGrI

It started with just 2 of us, who are animators by trade. We created a bunch of online videos and comics, and are hoping one day we can turn it into a series - or even a feature film!

We put all of our savings into starting a business together, and bought some basic filming and audio equipment including:

- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K
- iphone 13 Pro
- Rhode shotgun mic and tie mics
- Macbeth Chart

As well as software licenses for Maya, Yeti, and Syntheyes. Andy used Yeti to build the fur and feathers for Bash, and we spent a LONG time trying to make him look as cute as possible!

Fun fact: Bash has approximately 2,406,310 strands of fur!

As you can imagine, it was a huge learning curve for us.

Andy is an incredibly talented VFX artist and specialises in rigging, but had never created fur or fire before. So as this was his first furry character who breathes fire, I think he's done pretty well! :D

Yeah... that's me. Dragon bait. And yes, I am really talented at winding Andy up.

When me and Andy were coming up with the idea for the series, we knew we wanted a dragon/firefighter relationship. Initially we wondered whether one of us should be 'Tim' - after all, it would make things easier. But sadly neither of us look the part... Tim Northcott was a friend from my home town in Oxfordshire, UK - and the only firefighter I knew personally. He was very excited by the idea, and agreed to play the role of Tim and I designed the comic character in his likeness!

Fun fact: In one of the comics, Tim's REAL parents are caricatured when they come to visit him.

Points for anyone who can tell me who Markus is doing an impersonation of...

No dragons were hurt in the making of this series.

We love making these videos, and hope you enjoy watching them!

If you would like to see more of our videos and keep up to date with our progress, please follow us on YouTube!

https://www.youtube.com/@timandbash