ONE SMALL STEP

"One Small Step" is an award-winning short film from 2018 by up-and-coming TAIKO Studios; The is a small studio comprised of Disney, Pixar, and Nickelodeon artists, animators and sound directors and was formed only 2 years ago in 2017. The studio aims to bring western and eastern cultures together by telling stories that will have universal appeal.

Shot Progression from sketch to final product.

The aesthetic of the film stays true to its premise having a simple, bright and whimsical appearance throughout a good portion of it particularly in the scenes focusing on Luna's actions and imagination as a child. While having the appearance of 2D animation the film was created as a 3D CGI animation and this is most prominently seen when the characters turn in their space or bring/swing out their arms in their environment or around each other. The most prominent scene for 3D elements is in the cardboard spaceship scene with Luna and her father zooming around space.

Despite having no speaking parts in the film the facial expressions, body language, color schemes speak volumes for the characters. The color schemes help establish the tone of the story by pairing Luna's childhood with vibrant colors, her fond memories bathed in warm browns and yellows, and her sadness in muted colors. The score in the film, or lack-thereof further adds to the tone of the scene. The music emphasizes the happiness that Luna feels and the kindness that her father extends to his daughter while the silence, and in combination with ambient sounds, plunges us into sadness and evokes loneliness.

"One Small Step" is a beautiful story about fulfilling one's dreams and a thank you to the family and friends supporting them. This short film has propelled TAIKO Studio and left many hopeful and hungry for more of their stories and work.


TAIKO Studios website which contains more information about the studio and their team.

Storyboard to Final comparison for the scene of the gif above