Cosmonaut
Cosmonaut by Mike Kearns and Michael Kelly a senior graduation animation from The Kansas City Art Institute.
Who?
Mike Kearns and Michael Kelly
What?
A tired, thirst-driven Cosmonaut and his mischievous, chimpanzee co-pilot are stranded in the desert, having been days since the initial landing. After their only hope of rescue is destroyed, a chase leads to, what seems to be relief in the badlands, leading to mind alteration and disaster.
Why?
Cosmonaut was made at the Animation Department of the Kansas City Art Institute for our Senior Grade Animation Final.The focus of the film was to create a short narrative that allowed for quality character animation and incorporating an aesthetic reminiscent of animation of the Golden Era with contemporary technology and understanding of motion and animation mechanics.
How?
We produced Cosmonaut with a variety of technologies, including TVPaint 10, Adobe Photoshop, After Effects and Premiere.
Next Project?
Mike Kearns- I am currently working as an animator at Coolfire Studios in St. Louis, MO. Directing and animating a pilot for a children’s web series. And on my free time I animate short loops and clips as practice.
Michael Kelly- I’m currently working on “Me and the Big Black Dog,” a traditionally animated short, that will be out by then end of Summer. I plan to keep producing personal and collaborative animation with the talent in KCMO.
Which animated film would you like to have made?
Mike Kearns- Masaaki Yuasa’s ‘Mindgame’
Michael Kelly- Katsuhiro Otomo’s ‘Akira’
