Boutique animation house ROOF Studio recently partnered with 4-H Canada to produce a 3D animated short for the organization — a not-for-profit focused on positive youth development experiences.
Conceived by communications marketing agency Edelman Canada, “4-H Forever” demonstrates the impact 4-H in Canada has on preparing youth for their futures and the role volunteers play in making that happen. The piece can be seen on social media, programmatic placements, SEO and connected TV.
Led by ROOF Creative Directors Vinicius Costa, Lucas Camargo and Guto Terni, the film follows the path of four children involved with 4-H. From their early days in a community garden to the building of a community center, this captivating story provides a powerful testament to the impact of volunteerism, the enduring bonds of friendship and the crucial role that community engagement can play in making lasting and positive change in the lives of young people.
“4-H volunteers are there to support youth as they learn to do by doing, which empowers them with skills to lead and often creates bonds that last a lifetime,” said Shannon Benner, CEO of 4-H Canada. “ROOF Studio did an incredible job of distilling the impact of our program with animation that beautifully gets to the very core of how our program impacts young Canadians.”
“Bringing ‘4-H Forever’ to life was an exercise in blending meticulous planning, masterful design, and compelling storytelling — all hallmarks of our approach to animation,” said Terni, Partner/Creative Director at ROOF Studio. “Our storyboard laid out vibrant scenes, interconnected through fluid camera movements and transitions, setting the stage for an animation journey that was both challenging and rewarding.”
Natural elements such as sunlight and shifting landscapes were both key factors in the storytelling as well as an opportunity for the ROOF team to showcase their attention to detail. “This focused approach crafts an immersive world, where sunlight not only enhances realism but also warmly illuminates the children’s journey, adding depth and symbolizing hope and unity,” noted Costa.
“The technical challenges were considerable, from the creation of multiple detailed environments to a rich cast of characters, each requiring an enormous amount of detail,” concluded Terni. “But these challenges served as catalysts for our creativity and innovation.”
