3D Animated Short: Cambrian Explosion

It's been a long time coming! The public upload of my team's SCAD 2020 senior animation capstone project (and bronze finalist!), directed by Devon Palmer and Helen Prekker.
Created by Devon Palmer, Helen Prekker, Donald Brooks, Morgan Camp, Sarah Mydland, Tessa Kelley, Cole Roberts, Miranda Bernheim, Madeleine Williams, Delanna Poiencot, Christina Montellano, Wesley Tsang, and Casey Falcone.
Audio by Nathan Lienau, Clifton Kadanec, Nate Vrana, and Devon Palmer.
Synopsis: Hallie, a worm living in the Cambrian sea, struggles to find a balance between the survivalist life she is forced to live and the emotional connections she desires.
Much love and well wishes to my whole crew, who finished this film off in the throes of the pandemic despite everything! Every one of you is an incredible artist, and I'm lucky to have gotten the privilege to work with you.
You can see more content and behind the scenes work over at...
Our instagram: / cambrianexplosionfilm
Our twitter: / cambrian_film
Our website: serket8r8k.wix...

[@Denneth_D.]

I always knew the Moomins first appeared back in the Cambrian

[@danb3762]

Moomins?

[@krystieann]

That’s hallucigenia (I spelt it wrong didnt I?)

[@danb3762]

@@krystieann yes great one thanks

[@SpecialFanLilMan]

😂😂😂

[@helpmefortheloveofshrek6623]

@@krystieannyes we know lol. It’s just that its head reminded this guy of moomin (white hippo troll thing).

[@pikminfan6778]

It's a sponge, it's a worm, it's a plant and all sorts of weird bugs and strange fish! It's the Cambrian Explosion!

[@davidjwf1945]

Wow, that's animals and stuff

[@parkergreen2704]

​@@davidjwf1945But we're still in the ocean. Hey, can we go on land?

[@nevthenotfishi]

​@@parkergreen2704 "NO" "Why?" "The sun is a deadly laser."

[@parkergreen2704]

@@nevthenotfishi "Not anymore there's a blanket"

[@ibi6262]

This is super stylized and SO CUTE! Cambrian Explosion has never been this cute in media.

[@Therealburntmilk]

I thought this was for kids until the end where the blue thing saved hallucigenia

[@paulsarigumba3284]

It's in the early ordovician

[@gagehornsby9946]

That blue thing is called opabinia

[@asc11T0ast3r]

@@Therealburntmilk OPABINIA 👹👹👹👺👺👺

[@Therealburntmilk]

@@asc11T0ast3r I FORGOR WHAT OPABINIA WAS IM SORRY

[@mintakamothkind]

that is one HEAVILY stylized anomalocaris, it took me awhile to even recognize what it was supposed to be. still, this was fantastic.

[@Holgast]

I thought 'where's anomalocaris' then got to the credits :P

[@TheEbrithil2]

I thought it was a big trilobite

[@paulsarigumba3284]

It was so stylized i thought it was a jawless fish

[@paulsarigumba3284]

@@TheEbrithil2 where are even the trilobites

[@BleachMr873]

Reptilian anomalocaris confirmed

[@ryorika]

the style is so cute!! love that lately i stumble upon videos about kembrian explosion in my fyp a lot. for the context: i’ve drawn a whole comic book about these funny creatures, and it’s so heartwarming to see that such things are becoming popular rn

[@PreHistX]

This is adorable! The Opabinia and Hallucigenia remind me so much of my girlfriend and I. Idc if the Anomalocaris is too small and has shorter mandibles, this is perfect. Love it!

[@flixtocicgaming3576]

this has to be on eof the best peices of cambrian explosion media ever! so epic

[@SpecialFanLilMan]

How they shake " hands" is so cute❤

[@HowToMakeAGrilledCheese]

This deserves at least 1M views

[@VirgoShelter]

I love this the style and animation is great also shows some of the lesser know prehistoric animals. I also like the speculation that Opabinia can camouflage. 11/10 stars

[@jurxnator279]

0:24 THE POWER OF THE TITANS

[@henriquetolentino6181]

Hopefully It wont turn anyone into a giant monster

[@Orangepaw_Uzu]

t a t a k a e

[@Sepi-chu_loves_moths]

we get it, attack on Titan, its not funny :,(

[@IC1101-Capinatator]

3:31 I never thought a bloodthirsty, five-eyed stem-arthropod could be so cute.

[@Steshan]

Also how it causally beheads the apex predator of the time

[@TO-mp3bv]

Fun fact: Hallucigenia could only move forward until it's enemies were destroyed.

[@napalmzombie848]

This was lovely, great job. Super neat that the credits give some insight into the real animals.

[@unfunny_guy100]

Oh why hello there Napalm Boss Zombie from Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 Zombies and Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Zombies on the map Shangri-La

[@barley.9031]

@@unfunny_guy100 johhny?!?!

[@ZachToons888]

This was fantastic. The style is simplistic and expressive, and the pacing of everything is juuuuust right. I actually made an underwater animated short as well, but it has...a crab that walks forward, and a shark that moves its tail up and down.

[@nelsiventura3586]

This was so early there were no sharks

[@JaredSantos-y6i]

That blue shark thing was opabinia

[@JaredSantos-y6i]

The crab was halucigenna

[@danb3762]

I understand what you saying 😊 that's fascinating

[@thedansusart]

That was incredible! I can tell you guys were inspired a bit by moomin. I just love how cute all the character designs were!!!!

[@shekuskhan6261]

3:00 Animals fighting, there was so much blood spilled over all of time, all these 538 million years and it all started with an Opabinia and an Anomalocaris fighting over food. That. Is life.

[@SumitSStark]

0:22 Aot ch122: disney version

[@gummybearzxx243]

hahahah

[@danischeel4846]

You should make this a full time strip and give the creatures personalities and have them interact with each other in a humourous yet educational manner. The creators have fantastic talent. I could watch over and over!

[@lawoull.6581]

I would watch it...

[@Dayonder]

Dang this has some really good animation. Congrats to everyone involved!

[@MastersofHumility]

Amazing video. Thanks for the cheat sheet at the end. I knew most but had NEVER seen Sanctacaris before.

[@Schnee51513]

the colours and backgrounds are wonderful! im surprised at how dark it went with "opl" (i think thats his name) killing the red creature, especially with the colourful palette, but it made for an extremely interesting plot twist. i also love how opl and the red creature are animated in 3:07 floating in the air in a circular motion.

[@astick5249]

and then covered in blood he did a friendly wave to hallucigenia XD

[@titanicboy2722]

The red creature is known as the anomalocaris

[@meylielprida5952]

Opabinia: ready to die mate

[@artsandcraftsoutdoors3000]

My daughter watched this and it was lovely up to the point where the creature's head was cut off with blood splatter. Its now the only thing my daughter remembers, which is a shame. Good but be careful with younger children.

[@Carsyen362]

By the way I’m really inspired. This is one of the best videos I ever watch good job this video deserves a round of applause

[@LorreKeeper]

I frikking love this so much. Dangit, now I want a kid’s show based in the Cambrian.

[@idontknowwhattosaywhatever6965]

3:02 Top ten epic battles in the world

[@DrevorReal]

Awww I love it. The animations are so fluid and the characters so expressive. I'm so glad the little pink guy found a friend in the end!

[@deadchannelagainaeeerrrrrr6047]

Ok if ur just going to say "pink guy" or that whitout knowing the species plz watch the credits

[@TH3_INFID3L]

Pink Guy is a Hallucigenia

[@DocWyrd]

I would absolutely die for this cute lil Hallucigenia

[@Astromontana]

Wow, only 15K views? This deserves way more than that!

[@PLRxter]

Best New Short Animated of Paleomedia😊

[@BynineStudio]

awesome! love how much expressiveness you wringed out of these critters

[@BynineStudio]

the environments also have very good shapes to them

[@rikifukushima9855]

Hallucegenia (from aot) origin story

[@Dilaughosaurus]

Awesome!! Really delightful to watch. You don't get to see much of these prehistoric creatures in media.

[@TheCuteycat]

At last. WORM

[@felisa7295]

Tatakae

[@talldiep374]

I know this is a few more years later but yea, this is so well done and adorable and I wish there was more of this.

[@ghostdagreat]

Yooo this is so cool! I love how bouncy it is! Def deserves more attention

[@waluigihentailover6926]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. I love the cute art style!

[@silverhowl9331]

That was SO CUTE!!! Awesome job!

[@charredchickenfemur]

did not expect that ending

[@teratoaster2515]

WOW WHAT A COOL FILM! I wonder who made this! :0 Probably some group of really talented and cool artists or something. Wish I knew them lol. (

[@Miroba16]

THIS IS REALLY GOOD! Loved the animation, so smooth! and also very stylized.

[@ThaM-cw8oq]

That last scene was brutal

[@DankNoodles420]

I know the perfect group of people who would love to see this video!

[@2wheelAssassin]

2:52 bro mr dubstep saved mr denmark from glub-tubus wepple

[@Z51MAELSTROM]

Oh my god that worm at the end. YOMPPF Love this. Cambrian era is my favorite era.

[@NeuronRobberyVictim]

I will always have respect for the microscopic fandom that is obsessed with the cambrian explosion and it’s creatures

[@Tunlover110]

3:42 this is the cambrian theme song for me

[@fossilien]

Amazing work, as always. Thanks for sharing!

[@kkajihara321]

Although this animation is not the most realistic, I appreciate the adorable designs of the creatures

[@basedjohnson3111]

Why isnt this blowing up its amazing!

[@smokeyoak]

Nice. My kid liked it she said "cute! it cute!"

[@TheLoafOfBreadOG]

this is so good!!!!!!! AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

[@marmalade8915]

Lowkey although pleasantly surprised this hasn't been flagged as kids content This is super cute though i love the pink little hallucigenia

[@TH3_INFID3L]

Well a Opabinia slices off the head of a Anomalocaris

[@Anomalcarisguy]

With blood too ​@@TH3_INFID3L

[@GuywithaTrexskullonhishead]

This is a paleo beauty if I've ever seen one.

[@princepotato9138]

tf im here to do my modules but wtf this is the origin of a meme

[@FluffTheBlabbit]

I like the little hand waves Opi does in 0:56 and 3:30

[@danb3762]

Beautiful story ❤

[@Spike_The_Beach_Buddy]

Alt title:the cambrian battle

[@AlexisCasey-jt6lz]

The poor anomalocuirus it got his adorable head cut off

[@naysoe2324]

I really like how deez, Cambrian Creatures are cool and free. The versions are super Duper cool and cute looking some of them are Apex predators sea scorpions. ❤❤❤🌊🦂

[@Katy133]

This was great! I love the character designs. And the hug was so cute! >U

[@angelapianomusicstudio3816]

Already looking forward to your next work!

[@evirapo5070]

4:04 what animal is that blue snake thing?

[@devonpalmer5273]

it’s based loosely on the worm Louisella, but one of my crewmates is really into Dune so we made it look/act like the sandworms from Dune :D

[@blastturtle22]

@@devonpalmer5273 Almost thought it was a super stylised Omnidens at first NGL... guess there were a few more dune worm things in the Cambrian than I thought there was.

[@pj50tn55]

Opabinia it is an arthopod theese are the only cambrian animal that has 5 eyes

[@TH3_INFID3L]

That’s not a normal Louisella, that’s a Dune Sandworm

[@arcanine_enjoyer]

0:49 This is inaccurate as it cannot move backwards, only forwards until all of its enemies are destroyed.

[@squidfresh3082]

Moral: if you’re small you can still put up a fight and everybody is weird one way or another

[@pauliether.c.guy.3349]

I admit this was cute. A real fun way to learn and become familiar with the timeline and the Kind of life that was present during that time. This would be good for children.

[@Angelcat710]

What about the opabinia ripping the anomalorcaris's head off

[@Therealburntmilk]

@@Angelcat710 I thought it was for kids before that

[@TH3_INFID3L]

In the end it’s just like The Last Wish

[@frowner_and_co]

​@@Angelcat710eh I'd show my kids anyway

[@monikawojcikstevens6462]

this is AMAZING but the anemocalris needs to have longer tusks

[@lawoull.6581]

They're good for now..

[@heavy_hitter7374]

I love your animation style, you and your team should keep up the good work! 👍

[@demi_demon]

this is the best video on the anywhere

[@jreinhart3382]

The greatest worm of them all

[@RealmsSMPStudios]

Wait a minute, where are the Trilobites?

[@BleachMr873]

Who can’t wait for the movie, also if a movie comes out, try to aim for all audiences and little to no blood, unless if you want it like the new puss in boots movie, also a movie could be rated by the effects

[@kwitshadie6539]

Please someone make this a cartoon series.

[@謝小傑-s2w]

3:16 the revenge of prey

[@neptuniacoded]

AAAAA ANOMALOCARIS❤❤

[@flixtocicgaming3576]

pls make more like this this is so cool

[@chetos0077]

i love this

[@theabstractguy411]

Can’t say no to a snack

[@FluffTheBlabbit]

1:36 I think those purple bug dudes on the rock are meant to be trilobites idk

[@FluffTheBlabbit]

Oh and also if I make any mistakes remember the device I’m using cannot edit any comments I make so sorry

[@chetos0077]

4:23 here you can see it's a "Sanctacaris" I made the same mistake

[@damienbartolo9822]

ITS THE CAMBRIAN EXPLOSION

[@saucepart2electricboogaloo461]

ohhh i love love love this!!!

[@waffletop1018]

goober :D

[@carlosdude64]

This makes me scared to watch while in the toilet

[@Torterix]

THIS IS SOOOO AWESOME I LOVE IT

[@Messorem]

Wow, that's animals & stuff...

[@Tully-tittles]

Oh I always pictured the opabinia and anomalocaris to be besties

[@meylielprida5952]

Cuz her bodies look like the same💀

[@574guy]

Adorable animation and wonderful music.

[@3_14pie]

I and my son loves this animation, its fantastic

[@meylielprida5952]

Anomalocaris = AMOGCAMBRIAN

[@YaBoiJonah]

0:01 hi welcome to timed chat we hope you enjoy your stay 😊

[@paulsarigumba3284]

This video takes place in the early ordovician 488 million years ago

[@alexkuhn5078]

the Flying Ones aren't so bad after all

[@raulvidal2343]

Don't mess with the pab, or you get the snab

[@hentesgyik95]

Holy shit this is perfect!

[@AidanMartin]

great stuff but I would have love to see omnidens in their as well that is if it were set in china

[@goldentrilobite5617]

9.99999/10

[@Sepi-chu_loves_moths]

So cuuuutw

[@2wheelAssassin]

look at the goobie woobies

[@michaiah3118]

The end scene is not possible bc anomalcaris was bigger than opabinia