Dragon in Distress

My NYU advanced animation short, Dragon in Distress (2016)
In this fractured fairytale, a wicked hag casts a spell on a beautiful princess, and her beloved knight is none the wiser.
Written, Animated, and Directed by Vera Berkshire
Featuring:
Gareth Tidball as The Narrator
Poulomi Mukherji as The Princess
Vera Berkshire as The Hag
Ryan McCabe as The Knight
Music by Madeleine Klouda
Sound by Carter Imperial
Special thanks to Dean Lennert, John Canemaker, Zoya Baker, the Richard Protovin Award Committee, and the Advanced Animation class of 2015-2016.
This film was made possible through the assistance of a grant from the Richard Protovin Memorial Animation Award Fund and produced at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Kanbar Institute of Film and Television.
Made for Dean Lennert's Advanced Animation Production Class
Winner:
3rd Prize King Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Film and Television

[@bloodmuzzle]

"In the form of a hideous dragon." Shows a cute dragon.

[@parker-boy98]

Synthizan LOL

[@Qwertyuiop-lg7ko]

Cute? This furry

[@gloriaperez1075]

So true

[@tacticalwolf7018]

What a cock

[@GalacticTension]

*Triggered*

[@parker-boy98]

If you ask me, the Princess makes a rather cute dragon

[@OrcsRDorks]

Pookie Pookison IKR

[@veng3r663]

Yes but Dragons CAN be a bit 'rough' on relationships after they become brides...

[@CinnabarCereal]

Pookie Pookison same

[@veng3r663]

Good point ! I'd forgotten about that. Also Dragon-Half's 'mixed marriage' parents tend to fight a LOT as well... ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZ-zfqueqJaWesU

[@parker-boy98]

Hi U Whoa! Back up!

[@immenseshoutmon]

Wait, the princess can turn into her dragon form when she wants to? Cool!

[@parker-boy98]

Ny'rese Jones awesome!

[@sormly500]

And totally original

[@justingivens2255]

If I was the prince in the animation, I wouldn't be such a freaking jerk to the princess. Especially, since she can turn into a dragon at will.

[@sgtruru]

Ny'rese Jones only if she has the crown on.

[@thievingpeppers1914]

Because she has the ring and the crown she can switch between the cursed item’s powers

[@okamireader5]

Now THAT's how you tell a Fairy Tale XD

[@jamieolberding7731]

1:48 Dalek Supreme: "That isn't how I plan for it to go! YOU HAVE FAILED! I DO NOT ACCEPT FAILURE! GUARDS! EXTERMINATE THE OLD HAG! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!" Daleks: "WE OBEY! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMIIINAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE!"

[@parker-boy98]

Jamie Olberding Oh God!

[@jamieolberding7731]

Dalek Supreme: "SILENCE! HUMAN!"

[@emeph6353]

you won’t exterminate me supreme lookin ass

[@jamieolberding7731]

Commander Lytton: "FOOLS! I told you this would happen! They mined the corridor!" Black Supreme Dalek: "We do not want excuses! The attack must continue!" Lytton: "Only this time as I planned." Dalek 1: "You will show more respect for the Supreme Dalek!" Lytton: "Your battle tactics won't work! Their position is too strong!" Black Supreme Dalek: [considers for a moment] "You may proceed. We shall try your plan. But should you fail, you will be EXTERMINATED!" (from "Doctor Who" season 21 episode 4 "Resurrection of The Daleks")

[@nicolbolas5934]

what he talking about disgusting and loathsome. that dragon be lookin nice as far as dragons go

[@KindlingKatalyst]

It would've been really insigntful if they had a clip of sound of how her voice sounded to him as a dragon, since she was speaking in a way he couldn't interpret. Then also have a visual of how HE percieved her- warped and ugly, even though in reality she was cute.

[@TheKensta88]

You would know what a mean vile dragon looks like Nicol Bolas.

[@nykal1510]

@@TheKensta88 Nicol Bolas is the ugliest dragon I know, he has a flat face like some toad.

[@bethanysmith5856]

The princess got the better end of the deal.

[@user-ol3cw6ns1k]

Who knows... maybe she got obsessed with dragon form and never had a husband or children and died in loneliness.

[@firstnamelastname7124]

@@user-ol3cw6ns1k I would want to be a dragon than that lame stuff none can stop me as I burn everything in my path

[@SandPoot]

Bob Gmail perfect

[@darkAwesome100]

This was cute. It's certainly not the first time this story has been told, but it could stand to be told a few more times. Also, a good dragon always makes me happy.

[@alexpacheco703]

Ditto

[@101jir]

Becoming a bit of a cliche in itself, although I feel that respectable male characters are a thing that is just generally lacking so that saddened me. In the past male characters that are supposed to be respectable really aren't, and a lot of times now it feels like it isn't very often that you get one that isn't completely pathetic in some way.

[@alexpacheco703]

@Joryho Dragon I just want to meet Actual Dragons

[@jarodreloj9311]

@@alexpacheco703 DO YOU WANT TO DIE?!

[@sirorliktheironclad]

True. A part of me prefers evil dragons more but good dragons are better. Eliot and Drago are my favorites.

[@Soniclover3593]

Oh my gosh I love this!!!The Dragon really was cute though,win win on the Princess's part if you ask me.Also the Knight didn't even find it a little bit ODD when his princess went from having WHITE feathers to BLACK feathers!?!?

[@seant1326]

**insert unfunny joke about colorblindness**

[@pikachargaming9538]

better work on his vision rather than his smile

[@thejackalanimatronic]

SonicLover3593 purple feathers fool

[@Ari_C]

SonicLover3593 I think it's just supposed to be kind of showing how he doesn't really care about anybody but himself/his own good looks. As long as he has a pretty girl to save and be dashing for nothing else really matters. So something as "small" as the princess' freshers changing colors goes completely unnoticed.

[@emeph6353]

Oh shit, you just showed to me the vainness of not only men, but people in general. They only want a lover to call them pretty, beautiful, handsome, et cetera. Damn. I just want a lasting relationship founded upon real love and affection for each other and their trust.

[@madelineu7971]

really reminds me of the animated video called "reversal of the heart"

[@lachelnderhund]

Madeline Umphress same

[@jupiterkelthuzad7289]

I'm not sure if it really resembles it at all, but they do seem somewhat similar

[@Ari_C]

Madeline Umphress omg yes! I loved that one.

[@simplysweet7280]

It's nothing like it though.....

[@madelineu7971]

well in both videos a princess (or what we assume is a princess) turns into a dragon so yeah

[@Feanarth]

Really nicely animated, voiced and funny on top! :D

[@jasonalcatraz5817]

Today I had the misfortune of seeing that vore comic called “the farmer and the dragon”, now I came here and found this BEAUTIFUL thing. Showing a wonderful twist on a cliche story, Showing the princess becoming her own hero and not needing her Prince Charming And giving the dragon a happy ending, a strong ending. This is wonderful and I couldn’t have spent six minutes and 17 seconds watching something better or as interesting as this.

[@J215J]

Jason Alcatraz wow same

[@quasar7951]

Wow you saw it too?

[@januszbolbotowski7943]

I'm sure hope that farmer will be the lizard boy.

[@alexpacheco703]

Nor I

[@Greatsword585]

Oh hey I remember that thing A callback to when I was still innocent

[@tochi3872]

Finally something different than almost every TV show :D

[@veng3r663]

Meh. Too much like the ending of Frozen where no Princess needs NO man... kzbin.info/www/bejne/bILGhGqcraenpbM

[@tochi3872]

BRUH

[@toongrowner1]

you don't watch a lot of tv anymore, do you?

[@tochi3872]

No I don't :v

[@toongrowner1]

yeah, I noticed that.

[@funnypeashootercreature]

that dragon's thicc, gotta say that

[@J215J]

Cocoa .... ._. ...... Touche ......do you think shes into vore?

[@emeph6353]

shit not again with people being attracted to anthropomorphic reptiles in specific

[@jaylashropshire61]

please go sit in the corner and think about what you've done.

[@emeph6353]

well I have a weirder we’ve friend, she eats glass to try and evolve so I’m not judging

[@kedicurly]

It look like your profile picture is a dragon so no wonder you’ve fallen in love XD

[@mr.outlaw231]

1:36 That's not how monarchies work, you blasted over-glorified dictator.

[@parker-boy98]

Mr. Outlaw She's a fairy tale princess, what do you expect?

[@nicolbolas5934]

monarchies are blood or glory related. and plus a princes has no power till shes a queen.

[@olivia16000]

I think she’s just making a point that she wants the hag to be good

[@Ari_C]

Mr. Outlaw Oh goodness just shush and enjoy the cute story! It's a fantasy film where a princess turns in to a dragon. It doesn't exactly have to play by the rules of the real world.

[@mr.outlaw231]

Sisi Charriere There is a difference from scientifically proving how energy can convert a creature's DNA and complaing about the misuse of a political term for an heir to a hereditary position of power that is dominated by one person and is acquired through conflict or/and revolt. Just because it is a fairy tale doesn't mean the English dictionary doesn't apply to it.

[@haileymisegadis5501]

Why can’t I have a ring that turns me into a dragon?!

[@sad_pineapple]

My exact thoughts

[@cezary150199]

Still better love story than Twilight

[@sormly500]

Cirind STOP that's a very dead meme normie

[@cezary150199]

sormly500 not that dead lol.

[@pastlepink131]

"Wonderful...! AIM FOR THE JUGULAR." LOL

[@kaseymathew1893]

Something's just occurred to me . . . I know she was going for a bait-and-switch, but why would the hag transform her captive into a FIRE-BREATHING MONSTER?! "Oh no! You've turned me into something that could kill you instantly!"

[@gageisbell4338]

WISE MAN SAY ALWAYS BE URSELF...unless u can be a dragon THEN BE THAT DRAGON U WANNA BE! Personally I’d be a robo-dragon because REASONS

[@emeph6353]

*meta-Ridley anyone?*

[@emeph6353]

yeah, but you’re right. Drafons be c00l

[@capnpunkin233]

written directed and animated by Vera Berkshire, well done good storyteller. It can easily be said the hag made a mistake by giving up the magic ring, a lesson then. Don't take what you have for granted. Strangely I actually sympathise with the hag at first, the line 'I'm not a princess after all' is extremely relatable, and in truth many people would swap places with the princess on a dime. There is no defined good or evil here, simply grey morals, and that makes the tale all the more better in the end.

[@KindlingKatalyst]

I don't think proposing to sleep with someone under false pretenses is a 'gray moral' at all. Plus . . . in the original plan, what if the dragon succeeds in killing him? Im all for gray moral stories, but this is not one of them. In fact, the knight, in the context of the story, did nothing wrong, If he thought that was the princess, then he was just carrying out his duty. Perhaps he thought contact with a magic dragon had made her feathers turn dark, and they'd go back to normal, or even if they wouldn't, he apparently still loved her even though she changed color. THAT is a GOOD teachable moment. If the aqua princess, instead of the hag, had for instance, complained about being saved, in the context of the story, it would be pretty ungrateful. It's only when we take MORTAL DANGER to be a symbol for modern notions of clinging to a man to be 'safe' from the emotional pitfalls of life that it becomes questionable.

[@NewtVervich]

Are you seriously defended that shallow fuck? She straight up told him what was going on and dismissed it as deception.

[@Ren-zg7nu]

This is like pixar level story told in 6 minutes and it doesn't even feel rushed. Well done!

[@flameblade3]

A lovable twist on an old classic, great job! (Plus I’m a huge fan of fourth wall breaks either from the narrator or the characters, along with the addition of purposefully having the characters try and remove cliches which is why mine does a lot. This animations really relates to me and my likes and mottos!)

[@brianguo5516]

cool now the princess can transform into a dragon when ever she wants

[@Ari_C]

Omfg she's such a cute Dragon! I loved this story to bits and the art style was just really cute and appealing.

[@justingivens2255]

This has got to be the MOST FUNNIEST ANIMATION EVERY. This just made my day, when your sad and feel depressed, just watch this and get a good laugh out of it. :D

[@ScarlletHearts]

Tomorrow is my birthday and seeing this made me feel like I got a special gift early.

[@jemileedabear9630]

Why only 351 views, this deserve atleast a million, unless this channel stole the animation...

[@mr.outlaw231]

Well it is at 21k five months after this posting, so really give it time.

[@maxbuvardi]

Over 50k now, it’s picking up steam!

[@sormly500]

Not really

[@emeph6353]

yeet it getting more popular

[@archibaldc.1833]

241,127 at the time of this posting

[@unhumano2634]

A Princess that can also be a DRAGON! That's badass! I love it!

[@jerr-chan2821]

that is awesome! just inspiring me to make an oc from this idea! thank you for such great inspiration 😊

[@mewtwo3291]

That story was so amazing, and that animation was perfect. How long it take you to finish?

[@sparklesthevampire1]

mewtwo3291 It took a year start to finish

[@mewtwo3291]

Vera Berkshire year well spent, grate work.

[@creative_commander4973]

“Wonderful! AIM FOR THE JUGULAR!”

[@RossOzarka]

Loved it! I've never seen a student animation, or any short film for that matter, demonstrate such a thoroughly structured story and end with a sense of completeness. You are going far.

[@yodelingyotes]

I always did wonder why the story way with them trying to kill the dragon. Plus wouldn’t he realize that, oh I dunno, the fact that the princess’s feather apparently turned to black?! Otherwise, it is a good story.

[@BunnyValentine439]

and ya know the dress turned red, and voice completely off, also the dragon changing color, and shape XD

[@NewtVervich]

It's because he was a shallow dick who wouldn't stand for the possibility of being in a Relationship with someone more powerful than himself.

[@glowworm2]

I almost get a Swan Lake vibe when the hag turns herself into a dark variation of the princess--who also just so happens to be a swan to begin with. Also, this bit killed me: "Wonderful! AIM FOR THE JUGULAR!"

[@Skipsjack]

*A I M F O R T H E J U G U L A R !*

[@rileyblea3076]

I like how the princess doesn't know that she can just take the ring off

[@illyannaturtle6950]

I love your art style, and how you drew the dragon, dragons are hard!

[@fruitjuice_]

Wish my school told this story instead of little red riding hood and things where the wolf or dragon or whatever else are the bad ones. 10/10 story.

[@snowflakeserpert6834]

"Wonderful! AIM FOR THE JUGULAR!" ~Unnamed Hag

[@Serox1707]

10/10 mest be the next Disney movie or animated or real life movie adaptation

[@parker-boy98]

Serox Mirusaki Fat chance

[@sormly500]

Serox Mirusaki *FALSE*

[@Yipper64]

no this was almost moana in consept. just a stronk endipenant wamen who don ned nu mun.

[@voice_0f_reason]

Adam Eason Are you ok?

[@Yipper64]

Sha'ra Lighter no I never am. Why do you ask?

[@TopGarfieldEnthusiast]

Princess goes from white to black feathers... dragon goes from grey to blue scales... Knight doesn’t suspect a thing... ITS OFFICIAL THE KNIGHT IS COLOUR BLIND

[@diamondcrystalcatblade6572]

"wonderful~!! *AIM FOR THE JUGULAR.* "

[@funnysillyclown]

THIS IS AMAZING AAA

[@Jay-tu8qk]

This deserves way more credit than it has in the following months

[@gallifreycat7065]

not feminism, this is all about knowing each side to a story

[@ruthrichardson9717]

"WHAAAAAAA?" -Knight, 2018

[@on723]

I never seen someone go from being brave to being so emotionally destroyed

[@messiah1915]

4:45 We inturrupt birdtale to bring you the entire pokemon series A. K. A: Blasting of again

[@vicstonek9]

Bruh, this was recommended to me for some reason

[@kuranberii_]

AMAZING STORY loved it! I hate how dragons are always the bad guys! Ty for making this!

[@themaskedartist7972]

Screw being royalty, give me that ring boi!! >:D Witch can have the Prince.

[@imjustafangirl6468]

I laughed super hard at the "aim for the jugular" line lmao

[@flamewerewolf9569]

Thats a fairy tale I'll be telling to my kids! Amazing

[@schuychu]

I love how you drew the princess dragon the colors on all the characters and background is so smooth and it was a wonderful and at times funny story!

[@espinoth9913]

I just saw this in my recommended feed, and decided to give it a watch... How the heck does it not have MORE views? This is an amazing work that deserves at least a million

[@hellhound8684]

This is now my favorite princess-dragon animation.

[@soveitunion5731]

This was so amazing good work I can't believe you had so much patience to make something like this

[@AmieEss]

Holy cow this needs more views! Great job, Vera.

[@abssentvideoss4691]

I love how you made the story into an actual life lesson and showing that there never always has to be a cliche ending!

[@georgeshieffeild2818]

This animation you have made is so amazing! I always come back to it every now and then, simply because of how much I love it. Not only do I love the idea of this movie, but because this is simply an amazingly, well done, beautiful piece of art! My life is all the better because you have made this, it really inspires me!

[@luigihorror6455]

This is amazing, how do you have less subs? You deserve more

[@redacted90]

He or she doesn't upload a whole lot.

[@abandonedaccountaccount6040]

This is really awsome.

[@thaias9654]

Love it! Especially the plot twist, and how the story flowed along so smoothly with it. And what has to be my favorite part is that no dragon was slain!

[@beaughtoonz]

I like how you switched it up then all the typical fairytales. Like what the Hag said, there’s always a hideous dragon, a knight, and a princess. But the story that you guys had here was way better than any other animated mini movie I’ve ever seen. I wish that there was some way to make this into a TV series or a movie.

[@FoundedScreenLady]

The witch is just angry because she got outcasted from *club penguin*

[@pikaloco285]

I like this story a lot more, it's fresh and interesting. ( ,,ÔwÔ,,)

[@byzticgeode1881]

Nice animation, nice voices, nice plot and setting. 10/10

[@terraaudeux7946]

The animation, story, and voice acting are all amazing! This video is perfect! I wish you luck in the future!

[@dragovizsla8171]

This needs more recognition

[@parker-boy98]

Drago Vizsla I agree

[@mage_no_title]

Finnaly something out of the ordinary

[@NEALLIUMITE]

This is the best way a princess based story could go, much respect

[@auroratheawake8981]

Great story of independence. Love the ending.

[@thewoodpink]

I love dragons! I love how she stayed a dragon!

[@one2much7700]

DRAGONS ARE AWSOME!!

[@hopem.8139]

Frick if I was a dragon i would be so happy

[@psychigoat3873]

I like how you made the dragon have a happy ending and the princess doing it herself

[@efaristi9737]

and the knight does not realize that the dragon and the princess have changed colors? he clearly did not invent the yarn to cut the butter. but seriously, when we see a dragon, a gigantic beast armed with claws and fangs with leather deemed solid, even invulnerable, and the breath of fire, nobody thinks it strange that it is enough of ONE knight to defeat him?

[@KindlingKatalyst]

OP, yeah it would really make more sense for dragons to be combated by wizards, not knights. just goes to show how egotistical storytellers were back then . . . wanted to create male Mary Sues that could take on a giant beast that would gobble them up IF they existed.

[@quasar7951]

He's a fairy tale night He's doesn't know anything different than to kill a dragon and save the damsel

[@CartoonsEveryone]

Normally I prefer a traditional fairy tale story, I liked this one because the princess ended up leaving the knight/prince behind. Love is such bullshit.

[@unisafff9961]

Cartoons4Everyone 123 its not love that those two shared, it was lust, people commonly mistake love for lust because they think if you're willing to have sex with the same person for a long time and they have a few useful traits thats "love" but love is actually knowing when someone wants whats best for you and will always support you and do what they can to make you happy and help improve yourself and it takes two people doing this to have a stable relationship, not just having sex and calling it a night, its tasteless sense of love that social media shows and our elders believe that makes it seem so, and at one point divorces werent allowed because it was a way to try and stop people having so many kids and shit so our elders are used to this mindset by now, its why you can see an old couple that yells at each other for no reason and not even sleep together

[@alexpacheco703]

Only because you haven't found yours

[@deeplyjuniper8041]

Okay, honestly I thought this was going to be horrible after the first few seconds and the overused trope, but then it got better, and that was a beautiful ending!! What a cute dragon!! This has been in my recommended videos for weeks and I'm so glad I finally watched it!!

[@ruthellenmartinez2016]

That was the best princesses story EVER!!!! thanks so much for showing us that we don't need a man to be happy!

[@jungleinsectspikewall4474]

Why is this in my racomanded like wtf

[@ants7279]

Show no Mercy,Finish Him!!!!Do it!!!UAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

[@parker-boy98]

Night Shade Alright Shao Khan

[@ants7279]

Pookie Pookison Nice

[@ants7279]

@@parker-boy98 Who the fuck is Shawaka???

[@Shads]

that tail slap at the end when she fly away caught me off guard and made me chuckle quite a bit! great work on this animation and story ^^

[@themightyjimbo840]

I liked that the princes saw how dumb the knight was, she deserves a better guy.

[@TrueSolunar]

THIS is a story...

[@wolfroghostx8566]

Aaaaaaand that's how you got a new subscriber

[@georgeshieffeild2818]

This should actually be made into a long movie, it would be so amazing, if watch it so many times! Great job! I loved it!

[@GLITCH-DXCTOR]

This is beyond cute, you had me from start to finish! Job incredibly well done!

[@VYxFrost]

so...going for a "beauty on the inside" direction before lowballing a "I'm a STRONG independent woman, who don't need no maaaan!" at the end, eh? eh...animation's nice

[@IrradiatedFeline]

VYxFrost i like how she needed magical powers to be independent and strong...

[@TurboPikachu]

Animation and especially the art style held the whole thing together for me. Otherwise, a bit too safe of an overall concept, and the “I dun’ need no manz” ending was ham-fisted

[@burnincoffee9661]

I dont want to be the feminist here, but wasn't wrong. Would you still want a man who betrayed you? Get your incel ass out of here.

[@IrradiatedFeline]

MintTea and how exactly did he betray her? Was it when he tried to save her from a dragon? Or was it the part where he never could have known that the witch betrayed her and that she was the dragon? And the dragon having her voice doesn't mean anything, because a dragon would do shit like this so the knight lets down his guard.

[@VYxFrost]

Mint, it wasn't wrong, but it did feel cheap. You can have a feminist message that doesn't feel cheap, but it has to be the intention of the story to give the message forthright, and I feel that's an issue going on with the latest movement of our time. Most "feminist" messages nowadays coat-tail off of other factors and expect equal or greater recognition just because it showed up at the last moment. I do not suggest the knight who attacked the princess' dragon self get to stay with her (honestly the guy needs to go back to primary school to relearn his colors and shapes so he can tell two completely different dragons apart XP) What I suggest is that if the story looks to be aimed at the "Shallow eyes lead to shallow hearts/Beauty on the inside" moral, then you stick with that from start to finish. Instead, we are expected to walk off with a "tch, grrrrl ya don't need no man t'be happy!" message that leaves one very confused if you've been paying attention to the film through its length. No idea what incel is, but maybe don't tell folks to leave for having gleaned a shallow context of what makes their opinion? Much like the knight in the story, ironically

[@ultgamercw6759]

Cool a pro dragon story.

[@canadiandragon7069]

Love this short story animation, glad to see a Dragon put in the positive light for once.

[@randomkitty2468]

Best fairy tale. So original. Others don't make any sense.

[@intetx]

Awesome! You should get more attention here. Do you have other platforms where you post stuff?

[@sparklesthevampire1]

Yes! My website is veraberkshire.com, and my instagram is vwoww233. Thanks for watching!

[@toddstoll5829]

I like this story better

[@mischif3715]

Dude you deserve more subs for your channel It’s so smooth and everything is so good well made thumbs up for you

[@nightstrike9729]

Now THAT was a good story. I loved how the dragon was, very well made.

[@RoyGamer4510]

this is cool. Its very different and unique.

[@jamieolberding7731]

It's too bad in many fairy tales we don't get to see many Princesses fighting back against the Evil Villains such as Evil wizards, Witches, Monsters, ETC., ETC.!"

[@crunchkiru9191]

This is such an adorable short! If you ask me, I think the princess looks rather nice as a dragon!

[@jesusiscoming7090]

The idea of the princess turning into a dragon is pretty original to me, great animation!