Animation is one of the most popular film genres today. Nearly every credible movie studio, like Disney, is associated with an animation studio. Unfortunately, these big names take attention away from lesser-known indie projects which could generate a significant fanbase, if they were to ever get noticed. One of these incredible titles recently premiered on YouTube.
“The Heir of Time” is an incredible independently animated series created entirely in the application Blender. It even rivals the quality of similar projects produced by critically acclaimed studios. The August 29 premiere beautifully blends sci-fi and fantasy tones to create a truly unforgettable experience. The series obviously isn’t perfect, but represents an incredibly positive trend among independent media.
The Premiere Beautifully Sets the Tone for the Intriguing Series
Combining sci-fi and fantasy themes isn’t a easy feat for any media. Often times, series will find themselves leaning one way or another and completely omitting one genre in the process. However, “The Heir of Time” beautifully matches both categories in a way that doesn’t feel forced or disarranged. The plot is equally easy to follow and takes place on several beautifully rendered and nearly unforgettable settings. Many shots are so beautiful that its difficult to imagine they came from an independent studio.
Nonetheless, the series’ biggest highlight is easily the voice acting. Sel, played by Leah Eddleston, is the star of every scene she’s in and easily steals the show. It’s clear why she was cast as the series’ lead. Fiorella and Thallan, played by Anna Cameron-Mowat and Simon Alexander Mark, are equally responsible for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. While the major plot remains a major mystery, the series has definitely set an incredible precedent with its explosive premiere.
That said, the project decidedly isn’t perfect. In some places the animation can feel somewhat stiff, and the action sequences are slower than modern audiences might expect. However, it is still a massive success from an animation standpoint. The models all look gorgeous, even breathtaking at times, and a majority of the actions look completely natural. Ultimately, the film is a major win for independent animation despite some relatively small issues.
The Passion Project Took the Better Part of Six Years to Complete
The premiere of “The Heir of Time” is a passion project that took a majority of six years to produce. Just Just Productions poured their hearts and souls into the project, ensuring they created something they could be truly proud of. Despite relying on a Kickstarter to reach their goals, the studio has created something that rivals a professional production team.
Just Just ProductionsIn spite of some minor setbacks, “The Heir of Time”‘s production is nothing but a massive success. It proves that any studio with the right passion and team can create a worthy product. Now it is up to fans to give the series the attention it deserves.
‘The Heir of Time’ Could Inspire a Renaissance of Independent Animation
“The Heir of Time” could easily cause a renaissance among independent animation. The series proves that even smaller production teams can create worthwhile products. The only barrier to success at this point, is a dedicated fanbase.
If similar studios were to invest equal time and dedication into their projects, a whole new world of animation could hit the screen. Until now, many of the greatest production tools were inaccessible to smaller organizations. Now that tools like Blender and the Unreal Engine have become more mainstream, there’s no telling what might happen to the world of animation.
Ultimately, there’s no telling if “The Heir of Time” will land with audiences, but it’s a clear step in the right direction for independent animation. Just Just Productions followed their idea all the way to the end and created something truly unique and engaging. Hopefully the rest of the series receives the same care that went into the impeccable premiere.
