Carried Away (Dota 2 Short Film Contest 2021 - 1st place winner)

This entry was inspired by patch 7.23; for two months, couriers got to use items and be little heroes of their own. Behind-the-scenes / breakdown post on ArtStation: www.artstation.com/artwork/w6...
--- FULL CREDITS
▶ Shaylyn "Chemical Alia" Hamm
▶ / chemicalalia
▶ www.shaylynhamm.com/
3D character art (remodeled Bearzky courier)
Item models (Meteor Hammer, Dagon 5, Necronomicon 3)
Video thumbnail paint-over
▶ Alex Kern
▶ / zandraartt
▶ / zandraart
Additional 2D background art
▶ Maxime Lebled (that's me!)
▶ / maxlebled
▶ www.maximelebled.com/
Animation, editing, environments, particle effects, post-production, rigging/skinning
All in-engine & Source Filmmaker work
--- AND ALSO
▶ Szabó Attila
▶ www.artstation.com/maxxy
Creator of the Sven remodel
▶ Bjørn Lynne
▶ www.shockwave-sound.com/
Licensed music: "Shapechanger", from his 1998 album "Wolves of the Gods". Most of his music can be licensed from his website! I highly recommend it... and check out his discography if you liked this song :)
• Bjørn Lynne: "Shapecha...
--- & SPECIAL THANKS TO
Anomidae ( / @anomidae ) for offering a couple of cool suggestions & last-minute help with locating some sound effects!
Wunkolo ( / wunkolo ) for helping me troubleshoot some After Effects issues, and his Fringe plugin (wunkolo.itch.io/fringe), which I've been using for a couple years now.
--- HIGHER QUALITY
For the people who care a lot about quality like me, there's a HQ mirror here: vimeo.com/580017857
#TI10 #SFM #Animation

[@MaxLebled]

Thank you everyone for your support and your nice messages! Don't forget to check out all the other entries, there's a playlist of all of them here: kzbin.info/aero/PL6ywVNnt0-Oo_rOyCSw66O7ng3v2AD7Z6

[@ame5825]

Congratulations on your win!

[@DC-bd6pe]

The best thing about this video is that timing of the video until Sven respawns is perfect as well, exactly 60 sec, from 0:17 to 1:17, now that's what I call detail

[@doctrhz]

yeah why they dont have buybacks!

[@desotyro5883]

@@doctrhz its cd mayb xD

[@bapriliannuseldo3278]

@@doctrhz coz they want buy aghs and DR

[@lkcdarzadix6216]

they used it to buy the items i mean sven got divine and aghs

[@MaxLebled]

@@lkcdarzadix6216 originally my idea was that they had lots of money but couldn't buyback... clarifying this was very minor though, and there's only so much stuff you can fit inside 90 seconds, so ultimately it's up to the viewer to form their own guess, any is valid 😃

[@dexmog]

my god that baby bear is so damn cute

[@MaxLebled]

Fun fact!! He's the first courier I worked on & that got into the game in 2014! For this movie, Shaylyn did an excellent job at remodeling him from scratch. Her work was really worth it. His original promo video is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnSsp5ueeK-ebtE

[@allanmasanegra9523]

Oh thats why Ursa says when he dies, he says, spare my cubs

[@Kimbones07]

@@allanmasanegra9523 yeah broh and we dont know who is trying to kill ursa 😭

[@allanmasanegra9523]

@@MaxLebled umm also the cub is an immortal item for ursa

[@allanmasanegra9523]

@@Kimbones07 😢 I think human beings? Cause we are the ones hunting predators using guns and missiles? 😭😭😭😭

[@Robert-oj2me]

Ursa protecting the baby ursa courier was so wholesome

[@MaxLebled]

"For the cubs!" 🐻

[@roniesli9518]

Reddit moment

[@MaxLebled]

@@roniesli9518?

[@ComicalRealm]

This is some top tier animation. The competition would need to create something Pixar worthy in order to beat this

[@user-cb6km7mq9w]

The animation is indeed top notch, but the script is kinda meh this time, no?

[@slm7900]

@@user-cb6km7mq9w What is script? I'm sorry I'm learning 3d arts and I wants to join next year's sfm contest.

[@adroitws1367]

@@slm7900 script is the storyline

[@abhishek.s1667]

@@user-cb6km7mq9w i bet you didn't see the 5 couriers using dagons to kill sniper video

[@user-cb6km7mq9w]

@@abhishek.s1667 I dunno, but I did use that in dota 1)

[@dotatvru]

Movie team: cheering each other up after they are wiped, teamplaying even after death when Throne is about to explode Real team: insulting each other in 20 languages after one bad teamfight, Sven buying 50 wards after death because CM hasn't bought a single one the whole game

[@MaxLebled]

Be the change you want to see in the world!

[@godsoffice5714]

@@MaxLebled Gandhi?

[@jakugarcia]

@@godsoffice5714 no. It was said by Sun Tzu.

[@seaweedisvegetable8465]

@@godsoffice5714 gandhi: nuke is the answer

[@user-if6qp1lw2b]

@@jakugarcia actually it was said by hitler

[@witherkichian4867]

The couriers being able to use items for those few patches was still the funniest addition in dota history.

[@naenae2350]

Dota 1 moment

[@ceno0]

lookin hella epic

[@StormTeeVee]

Pootis man

[@CoreyLaddo]

I'm not a DOTA guy but this is some seriously impressive stuff. Bravo!

[@MaxLebled]

Thanks Corey 😄

[@lordofonions5699]

ey the hl man congratulates the dota man

[@JohnPaulBuce]

hey freeman

[@st4pps]

I honestly don't know how this wouldn't work literally everything is perfect about this.

[@ilhamsyahir6314]

It works in Dota 1 and dota 2 last patch. You can etheral and dagon combo to kill enemy

[@stevenm1449]

U can use item when the item in cour

[@st4pps]

@@stevenm1449 just smoke tho. Unless their are other ones that can that I don't know of.

[@stevenm1449]

@@st4pps no there was a patch where cour can use dagon as well. Here kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKqmqnudhtxmo6s

[@cancerguy5435]

@@stevenm1449 in 7.23 couriers could use any item. Including passives like octarine. It was a bit broken.

[@GeraldGantengs]

The way cm hugging her courier is SO CUTE!

[@pavansaik6939]

congrats bud

[@stanleyrusli724]

So Good Dude, i really like the detail at 0:17 sven timer shows 60 seconds, and literally he spawned at 1:17, i hope you win bro 🤙🤙

[@DuhBla]

CM baby-holding Faceless Rex is honestly the cutest thing I've seen so far.

[@melaniecercia7939]

Congratulations

[@derstilleabonnierer]

CM holding the Void-T-Rex is soo cute :D

[@bubbletea2647]

FINALLY

[@MaxLebled]

"These things... they take time" 😛

[@bubbletea2647]

@@MaxLebled totally worth a wait

[@eternalrose5648]

thanks to this, the price of my Baby Ursa courier will increase)

[@Greatness13]

I haven't seen the rest of the short films but this looks absolutely stunning. The lighting, the way everything was so destined and the and the animation itself was go magnificently done. The story was really good too. It had the funny , cute and epic elements all in one video. I truly hope this vid takes it home. Fucking love it!!!❤️

[@nizmei8052]

Still the best Dota short ever made!

[@Akordeon93]

The lighting on the radiant buildings when the towers were destroyed, stunning and great job in terms of perspective. Well done again!

[@realroyalpandas]

Those courier is damn cute. And the scene where ursa protect his courier is good

[@ThuNderBuLLL]

The idea of using couriers as main protagonists is amazing!

[@yepsilon2898]

Wait. Did you seriously make this in SFM? If so then you worked that lighting engine to max. Amazing Job.

[@MaxLebled]

Yup! 😄 thanks for the kind words

[@AriJayaz]

01:01 the way lion run away from summoned creeps LOL, exactly same as me when I see those duo combo faker when I play as support

[@hellatze]

imagine running from Necronomicon but didn't kill courier.

[@Anomidae]

Very unfair, the radiant team had 5 extra carries also, shout out to the spirit of vengeful spirit (again) haha, this is very awesome, looks great, animated nicely, and done on a tight deadline!

[@hOlyhexOr]

Congrats! :)

[@MaxLebled]

Thank you!!

[@riellerivera3176]

If you look closely at the end: 1. CM holding void courier 2. Divine rapier lying on the ground near CM 3. Sven's cour sitting near enemy fountain 4. Baby Ursa and Daddy Ursa being cute af 5. Vengeful sitting on the other side of the ancient, you can see her roshan cour there as well 6. Alchemist petting his cour like a proud dad

[@indra9496]

0:59 look at lion running away lmao

[@PIPENofficialchannel]

Seriously I always wait for mad lebled to do animation for ti shortfilm contest every year, everything on his shortfilm is so smooth and can be mistaken for a dota movie, love the work man😘

[@enaniux182]

Congratz for the win.

[@Virtua..]

pretty sweet man... epic, tells a story, perfectly executed, and even some great gameplay and something actually at stake. time to give couriers their own story indeed!

[@MaxLebled]

Thanks for the kind words!! That means a lot to hear 😄

[@jakugarcia]

This is so effin good!! The epitome of never giving up! Just like in SEA server. Enemy team type in "GGWP. PLZ END WILL NOT DEF" then proceed to defend like there's no fucking tomorrow! Love it OP keep it going and never get tire!

[@quermanlaga1833]

Yeah that is SEA 101 XD

[@ferocious1288]

HAHAHAHA you fking nailed it man!!!

[@andreashutabarat7072]

So glad tis winnin 1st place, so satsifying

[@timometsanoja9666]

These animations are starting to look "next level"... Damn, that was some good work.

[@DishantJain786]

Congratulations on winning short film context. Awesome job

[@sir.sleepsalot2711]

This short film deserves to win. This was so beautifully done

[@RandomVideos-se4wx]

Look at ursa and his child so touching

[@vujiciclinus3551]

Wow, congratulation on another win! I've loved your animation style since TI5

[@keiryeleison109]

Yeah, I did this before in Dota 1, using couriers to carry dagon, radiance and increase their HP using bloodstone. Items such as Shiva can affect their armor also.

[@justinea.batuigas4934]

that baby ursa clapping at the end soo cute

[@lalalalalalala179]

We have the winner, guys!

[@TheFungineer]

Congratualtions, Max! :D

[@jakysr]

One of the best for sure

[@EndlesRidge]

Foooookin love it! Goes to show that stunning visuals only make up a fraction of what a good film should look like

[@vn4228]

This is the only shortfilm I have watched for 2021. I don't think I need to watch any other submission to decide which one will win.

[@eheboay]

we got the winner

[@brentkatimbang276]

They just announced that this film won the shortfilm contest! Congrats!!! this shortfilm deserve it, so does you!

[@johnong9860]

Ahh back in olden dota 1 days when you can buy energy booster for the cour and equip it with dagon. Good ol days

[@jamescastro498]

And when you buy radiance and equip on a courier free damage over time

[@aldrinmercado3475]

Exactly my thoughts.. when you have mega creeps and enemy is just hiding in the well.. surprise mudafucka crow with dagon and energy booster plus invulnerability to dive well

[@kharljohnrayala]

Came back to this video to congratulate you man! Well deservrd

[@darkwillow2915]

1st Congratz really waited for the announcement of the winner really love the short film best ever!

[@MrHyperstone]

This still can win ti2023 short film contest

[@achmadchoirul3]

That ursa baby is so cute ❤️❤️

[@ivanrocheevangelista1464]

CM holding the void courier like a baby at the end so cute

[@jamesf7871]

Congratulations for winning dude!!!

[@SplendidSaw]

Однозначно голосую за вас, и надеюсь, что вы победите в этом конкурсе. Качество отличное, хотелось бы знать, сколько времени вы работали над этим роликом. Я тоже учусь делать sfm ролики и хотелось бы узнать какие программы вы ещё используете?

[@MaxLebled]

Для создания этого видео я также использовал 3ds Max, Motionbuilder, Adobe After Effects и Vegas Pro. Моя коллега Шейлин также использовала ZBrush, 3D-coat, Photoshop и 3ds Max для своей работы.

[@sjking009]

Love the way it looks

[@edwinsamuel5065]

Ursa jr is the cutest thing to ever exist.

[@ccsilvaraphaeljoseb.1688]

Definitely one of the best dota short films of all time. Good job!

[@franz4044]

The team was so carried away they died, only to be carried away by the couriers. Perfect name for the film

[@araxy8973]

This is masterpiece. Don't forget to vote it guys.

[@Fizhfood]

Congrats Max! Well deserved

[@mr.nobody4517]

CONGRATS BRO ON THE WINNING! GL NEXT YEAR!

[@AdityaSharma-hx4gx]

and we have a winner

[@BachtiarLazuardi]

Well Played Bois

[@DANTE-DOTA]

That's a very clean work and good story telling right there, It was satisfying to watch :D. Good Luck Max !

[@grummbrother8559]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[@novarte-gregor]

Winner

[@amnamubarok7149]

When CM hold faceless rex at the end, liked it.

[@anujsm6404]

CONGRATULATIONS

[@micadam28]

How can somebody beat this guy? Absolutely great work!

[@Neftalya]

You are amazing, love your vid!!

[@KemzyAsh]

Congrats!! for Winning the Contest!

[@The_asdfghjkl]

Ah. The 2021 film contest. I didn't have time to enter this year since I was really busy at the time. But that's besides the point. You did an amazing job on this. Can't wait maybe see a breakdown of it if you do feel like making one.

[@MaxLebled]

Thank you! I don't think I'm gonna make a breakdown video, but I did make a big artstation post with lots of neat things: www.artstation.com/artwork/w62nG9

[@josiechan8623]

that courier using items patch brings me back

[@yogiabdullahbl2098]

That moment when Sven respawn holding a Rapira, and then Al threw the aghs into him. Pog Animation!!

[@yogiabdullahbl2098]

Idk but I think we missed 1 detail here (?) Sven's God Strength, idk but this is perfect already!!

[@ronaldjamesdiaz2066]

omg i remember the 4 man dagon on courier sniping heroes at top from dota wtf! lit entry dudeeee!!!

[@joshuabaitan6477]

As always the animations are built differently! 🤞 Amazing

[@mherlising5215]

Congratulations 🎉

[@Scarifar1]

*Chef's kiss* Great storytelling and great animation. You've done it again.

[@maynardlimbaco2506]

Yea. That time Air-Raid and paratroopers was possible.

[@davidg5849]

I love the way the Lion runs away from Necronomicon. Great video by the way.

[@lowendplayer4259]

One of the Best ones. Hope you win

[@Youmu_Konpaku_]

Woah, this animation far exceeds the last #1 spot on the Dota SFM, great job :D And bring back 7.00 couriers xD

[@greynot3413]

that's really a 60 secs respawn time 0:17 - 1:17 woooow that detail maan! wooow!

[@brynnteodosio5835]

Congratulations!

[@tharindunirmal7339]

THis is SOO good. keep up the good work

[@meeyatttA]

You know this costed a lot of time, then the Necronomicon get's deleted But damn, it is worth it, the animation is awesome!

[@worldofwarcraftpinoy]

Congratulations!!!

[@schia696]

If I hadn''t spend thousand of agonizing hours getting flamed by 9 dudes I could have been this talented

[@tittartone]

Congratulations on winning short film contest!!

[@bijeshstha206]

We have a winner here😍 Loved everything bout this!!

[@lifo5353]

Amazing

[@NazoKira]

Yet another fantastic animation! Wish you good luck on this one

[@enigmaworld145]

Congrats..u just won the DOTA2 SFM contest..🥳🥳

[@samueldiaz1987]

Probably the best one I've seen so far

[@itsssidney]

that little ursa is so cuteeeeee 💕💕💕

[@jazzmusic5371]

THE BEST TI SHORTFILM MAKER HAS ARRIVED

[@joshd5666]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! WELL DESERVED.

[@roslanzainolabidin1668]

Next patch : courier can attack & use item when hero is dead.

[@Kazeazze]

actually that was in dota 1 , you literally can give radiance or whatever to pet . even all dagon pet team

[@rendyajadech1957]

@@Kazeazze animality 😂

[@jancesarm.averilla1680]

This is insaneee